Do you want to know what to wear in Japan in Fall? Fall in Japan is classified as September, October and November is a fantastic time to visit for fewer crowds, cooler weather and amazing Fall colour but it can be a challenge to pack for. In this guide we will put together some amazing Japan outfit ideas no matter which Fall month you are traveling in.
In this guide you will learn:
- what to expect from the Fall weather in Japan by region and month,
- What to wear in Japan in Fall for weather, dress codes and more and
- any special events that may affect your Japan Fall packing list.
Weather in Japan in Fall
The weather in Japan in Fall will very much depend on the region and month of travel. For instance, the Northern island of Hokkaido has far cooler temperatures than the South, and November can definitely feel like Winter has arrived.
Whereas September in Southern cities and regions such as Okinawa still feels very summery and the weather still pretty hot and humid.
How cold is Japan in Fall?
As I said above, the temperatures in Japan vary greatly by region, however you can expect the average daytime temperatures in Honshu in Kyoto and Tokyo to be around 27°C / 20°C in September but falls rapidly until November highs only usually reach around 17° / 9°C. So you will definitely want lots of layers with you to help deal with these changeable conditions.
Note: as Hokkaido tends to have different weather to the rest of Japan we have written up a specific Hokkaido Fall packing list here.
How rainy is Japan in Fall?
While September is the warmest of the Fall months it is also the rainiest with around 12 days on rain. While November only sees around 6 days on average.
Does it snow in Japan in Fall ?
Snow is very rare in the South in Fall. However it is possible for snow to fall in November. The last time it did was in 2016 but it was a rare occurance.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
What to Wear in Japan in Fall
As I said above, layers are going to be your best friend for Japan in October and November particularly. While in September you can wear your Summer capsule wardrobe.
What to Wear in Japan for Women
Rain Jacket
The number one pick for Japan in Fall has to be a rain jacket. The month of travel will obviously affect the thickness required.
Click here to shop jackets for Japan.
Trousers
Trousers are a better pick than dresses or skirts for daytime sighting especially in October and November. And my favorite type of trouser to travel with are jeans. Personally I recommend sticking with a smarter pair of jeans as this will work well in all sorts of locations.
But September will still warrant having a pair of shorts or Capri pants on your packing list.
Skirts and Dresses
On top of trousers I will usually add a couple of dresses or skirts to the packing list, especially for traveling in September and early October.
Personally I prefer to wear skirts and dresses in a maxi or midi length and during a rainy period I tend to stick to midi dresses so the ends of my dress don’t get wet in puddles.
For November you may want to add a sweater dress onto your packing list for evenings out.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Japan whatever Fall month you are visiting. At this time of year I recommend packing a mix of both long and short sleeve t-shirts but by November I would transition to having more long sleeve shirts with you!
Blouse
On top of t shirts I also recommend packing some nice blouses that can be used in restaurants and smarter places. I try to stick to blouses made of natural fabrics such as linen and cottons for September but by late October I recommend transitioning to something a bit thicker like a lumber jack shirt.
Layers
Layers are absolutely essential for Japan even in Fall and the later in Fall you are traveling the more layers you will need. Depending on the activities you are doing will affect how formal the layers should be but I would usually pack a mix of sweaters, hoodies and fleeces for Fall.
Hoodies are a great casual top layer for sightseeing in the day at places such as museums, interactive spaces and galleries. However I like to have something smarter for evenings. My favorites are merino wool sweaters and cardigans that can be used to layer day to night transition outfits.
PJs
Depending on whether you are traveling in Early or Late Fall will affect the weight of nightwear you will want.
Swimwear (optional)
No matter the season of travel I would always add some swimwear to your packing list. There are lots of spas and onsens to visit and some more upscale restaurants will have pools.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. The best socks for Japan have to be merino wool socks that are insulating but still thin. But if you are traveling in September, sneaker socks may be more suitable.
What to pack for Japan in Fall for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Japan in Fall and we recommend packing:
Rain coat
A practical coat is again definitely worthwhile packing.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short sleeve t shirts are good for Fall. A button down shirt is also a good choice for fancier restaurants.
Trousers
Jeans are great for sightseeing in cities. As well as jeans you may also want to add a smarter pair of chinos for nights out and fancier dinners. And if you are traveling in early September then shorts are another good addition.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, fleece and sweater alongside your coat / jacket are the perfect layers to pack for 7 days in Japan.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Best Shoes for Japan in Fall
Waterproof Shoes
For Japan in Fall I recommend having at least one pair of waterproof shoes with you. For November this could include ankle boots, but for earlier in Fall some waterproof sneakers such as the Ecco Soft Sevena are an ideal pick.
Note: I don’t recommend packing flip flops for walking around cities.
What to pack for Japan in Fall (September, October, November -Non Clothing
- Crossbody Bag – I always travel with this type of bag as it is a great pickpocket deterrent anywhere in the world. I didn’t find Japan a particularly unsafe place but this is a staple on all of my travel packing lists.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips. If there is going to be very haevy rain during your travel you may also want a waterproof cover.
- Universal Travel adaptor – Japan uses two types of plug a and b. Therefore you will absolutely need a universal travel adaptor whether you are coming from UK, USA or Australia.
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. These could be purchased in the big cities easily, however it can be easier when not familiar with language to have them packed with you
FAQs About this Japan in Fall Packing List
So now you know what to pack for Japan in Fall we will answer your most frequently asked questions,
Do you need winter boots in Japan in Fall?
If you are sticking to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka then winter boots will not be needed. However you may still want some ankle boots with you especially in Late Fall.
Can you wear jeans in Japan in Fall?
Yes you can absolutely wear jeans in Japan in Fall. In fact they are one of the best trousers to wear in Fall in Japan however in September you may find it a bit warm.
Have you been to Japan in Fall? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!