November is the Best Time to Visit Tokyo

November is a turning point in the autumn season when the trees are stunning shades of orange, yellow, and red. The weather has a slight chill, making it the perfect temperature for outdoor activities. During this month, the tourist season has died down just enough to make exploring Tokyo a little easier.
Autumn Leaves
During the fall, Tokyo comes alive with bright colors and beautiful natural scenery. Many of the city’s outdoor attractions are best experienced during this time of year. Gardens, parks, temples, and many streets are transformed into works of art. Icho Namiki Avenue and Shinjuku Gyoen are well-known Tokyo spots that look great in the fall.
Weather in November
A lot of people consider the weather in Tokyo to be perfect during November. Unlike summertime, there’s no heat waves or horrible bouts of rain. It feels crisp, slightly chilly, but without any of the cold temperatures experienced in winter. When packing, make sure to add layers to your suitcase. You never know when it will be sunny and warm or windy and chilly. A nice selection of layers will get you ready for the November weather.
Tourist Season
November is one of the best times to visit Tokyo, but it isn’t actually a high tourist season. Most people visit from June through September and from April to May. November has great weather conditions, beautiful autumn colors, and fewer tourists than other times of the year. Expect manageable crowds and relative ease traveling around the city.
Relax and Bathe in Onsen
An Onsen is a natural hot spring used for bathing and relaxing in Japan. The country has around 3,000 scattered around, some of which are in Tokyo. The style of Tokyo’s Onsens varies, as some are in posh spas while others are similar to public bathhouses. No matter your style and budget you’ll be able to find an Onsen to enjoy. Explore options like Niwa no Yu, Spa LaQua, Fuku no Yu, or Saya no Yudokoro. The water is perfect for keeping warm in the chilly fall air.
Watch for Sumo Kyushu Basho
Sumo tournaments take place only six times a year and one of those times is in November. The Kyushu Basho is the last tournament of the season and has been said to be the most exciting. Locals get really excited about the event, especially afterward, when the sumo wrestlers make appearances at nearby restaurants and bars. Guests can get floor seat tickets where they sit on tatami mats, which is usually the most entertaining way to see a match. If you’re visiting during November, this is an absolute highlight.
Hike with Family and Friends on Mt. Takao
If you want to witness the beautiful fall colors, this is the mountain to visit. It’s located on the outskirts of Tokyo, about an hour’s journey from Shinjuku. The trip is worth it for the scenery but also for the other attractions like monkey park and Yakuoin Temple. The hike itself takes around 90 minutes, but there is a cable car available for those who prefer to cut out half the hike. If you love the outdoors, this is a great day trip from Tokyo.
Showa-Kinen Park
This natural area is famous around Tokyo during all the seasons. It has lush gardens in the spring and stunning fall colors in Autumn. It’s known for Ginko Avenue, where the foliage really shines. This street is usually packed with people trying to photograph the fallen leaves so try to get there earlier if you want a more exclusive experience.
Explore The Yanesen Neighborhood
If you want to truly beat the tourist traps, Yanesen is the place to go. It consists of multiple neighborhoods that exude an old-world, Tokyo vibe. There are historic temples, shrines, vintage arcades, and a sense of real, Tokyo life. It’s not a trendy place, but this is what makes it so charming. If you want to see what it’s really like to live in Tokyo, spend some time here.
Inokashira Park
This park is famous for its Sakura blossoms but also it’s autumn colors. There’s a lake in the middle of it where visitors can rent rowboats or swan boats for the afternoon. While it looks like a great place for a date, this park is surrounded by folklore saying it’s cursed by a jealous goddess. Apparently, anyone who goes on a date here is destined to break up.
Tokyo Disney
Disney fans and theme park-lovers need to visit Tokyo Disney. It’s a magical place for both kids and adults (but especially the little ones.) You won’t mind waiting in line for the rides in the pleasant November weather. And since it’s not the high tourist season, you probably won’t encounter awful crowds either. Explore the different themed areas of the park and look out for your favorite Disney movie characters.
Sensoji Temple
Located in Tokyo’s historic center Asakusa, is the city’s oldest temple. It’s the gate and adjacent streets are iconic, exuding Japanese tradition. Grab some traditional street snacks or spend some time at the restaurants surrounding the area. Expect to find all of the authentic cuisines you’d want to eat while in Japan like sushi, Tempura, and Sukiyaki. Dig into the culture even further by taking a rickshaw ride, wearing a kimono, or trying sake. In the fall, the temple becomes even more picturesque as it’s framed by the changing trees.
Ueno Park
November weather is great for enjoying Tokyo’s parks. Ueno is one of the city’s biggest, and is full of entertainment that everyone will love. There’s an onsite zoo, historical monuments, and plenty of nature to enjoy. One of the main attractions here is Ameyoko street, which is a gloriously hectic road filled with street food stalls, grocery stores, and discount shopping. You’ll get a bit of everything here.
Tokyo Tower
It’s a must-see during all times of the year, but in autumn, the view from this tower will be incredibly colorful. This is one of the best ways to see the city and its surrounding natural scenery all at once. It’s a symbol of the city and should be viewed both from below and inside the observatory deck.
Tsukiji Fish Market
This fish market is a staple in the Tokyo tourist scene. It’s been a top attraction for decades and is best seen bright and early. Visitors will line up around 5am for the chance to see the fish market in full force. The tuna auction is the main attraction, allowing visitors to watch the controlled chaos that occurs each morning. Since November means fewer tourists and better weather, this might be a great time to get in line and experience this famous display.
VR Theme Park
Tokyo is an epicenter of technology, so it’s no surprise that they have theme parks dedicated entirely to virtual reality. While November is best spent outdoors, there may be quite a few rainy days to deal with. A VR theme park is the perfect way to spend a day indoors while being endlessly entertained. It’s quite a novelty and is a highly recommended experience for anyone who is a bit of a tech nerd.
Design Festa
Taking place in early November this massive festival is great for art and music lovers. It features nearly 10,000 booths of craftsmen, artists, designers, musicians, and performance artists. It’s a great way to enjoy the weather while experiencing the best of Tokyo’s modern art and culture scene.
Interesting blog, it remind me of Tokyo Towers, there are 49 buildings and structures that stand taller than 180 metres. Skyscrapers are a relatively recent phenomenon in Japan.
I tried to write a blog about it, hope you also like it https://stenote.blogspot.com/2018/03/tokyo-seen-from-tokyo-tower.html
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