Tokyo Weather in October: What to Do, Wear & What’s Happening

Live Weather

Tokyo Weather in October

October is when Tokyo finally lets go of summer. Early in the month, daytime highs still reach the mid-20s°C (mid-70s°F), but by the final week they slip to around 19–20°C (high 60s°F), and evenings drop into the low teens.

The muggy air of August and September gradually gives way to drier, cooler days well suited to long walks and park picnics.

Rain is the main thing to watch. On long-term averages, October is Tokyo’s wettest month, with autumn rain fronts and late typhoons driving the totals. Late-season storms are less frequent than in September, though one or two can still sweep through.

This year, the city has just come out of a record 37-day run of consecutive rainy days that ended Oct 2.

Quick stats:

• Average high: ~22°C (72°F) | Average low: ~15°C (59°F)
• Rainfall: ~235 mm (9.25 in), the highest monthly average of the year
• Humidity: ~71%, though it feels far less sticky once the heat fades
• Typhoons: possible but less common than in September; keep an eye on forecasts
• Daylight: sunset moves from about 5:25 p.m. at the start of the month to roughly 4:50 p.m. by Oct 31

What to Wear in Tokyo in October

The gap between a warm afternoon and a cool night grows wider as October goes on, so dressing in layers works best. A light top under a removable jacket, closed-toe shoes that can handle a wet sidewalk and a compact umbrella will cover most days.

Early October (1–10): Short sleeves still work on sunny afternoons. Keep a thin long-sleeve shirt or cardigan on hand for air-conditioned trains and evenings.

Mid-October (11–20): Long sleeves become the default. A light jacket, denim jacket or trench coat makes sense for evenings out, especially at outdoor events.

Late October (21–31): Nights can dip toward 12–13°C (mid-50s°F). A knit sweater or a light coat is a good addition, along with a water-resistant layer for rainy days.

What to Do in Tokyo in October

With milder temperatures settling in, October is a comfortable month for outdoor plans: open-air screenings, food markets, street music and neighborhood festivals fill the calendar. Rain can still interrupt things, so it helps to have a museum or indoor option lined up for wet days.

A few highlights this month:

• Watch movies outdoors at the Hibiya Cinema Festival (Oct 9–25), with free day and evening screenings at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Hibiya Park and Hibiya OKUROJI
• Spend the weekend at the Sumida Street Jazz Festival (Oct 17–18), with free live music at around 30 venues across Sumida Ward, including Kinshi Park, alongside craft beer and food stalls
• Graze through Asian street food at the Tokyo Night Market in Yoyogi Park (Oct 21–25)
• Sample regional bowls from across Japan at the Tokyo Ramen Festa in Komazawa Olympic Park (Oct 30–Nov 3)
• Pick a costume and join one of the city’s organized Halloween events as the month wraps up

For more ideas, see our full list of Things To Do in Tokyo in October 2026.

Seasonal Events in October

October brings a three-day holiday weekend, one of the Kanto region’s best-known float festivals, temple and neighborhood celebrations, Halloween and the first stretch of autumn color in the mountains.

Sports Day

Supotsu no Hi (Sports Day) falls on Monday, Oct 12, creating a three-day weekend from Oct 10 to 12. The national holiday celebrates health and physical activity, and many schools and local communities hold athletic meets around this time.

Popular day-trip spots and trains out of the city tend to be busier than usual, so booking seats or rooms early is a good idea.

The Tokyo Yosakoi dance festival in Ikebukuro also lands on this weekend.

Kawagoe Festival

About 30 minutes from Ikebukuro by train, the historic town of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture hosts the Kawagoe Matsuri (Kawagoe Festival) on Oct 17–18.

Rooted in the annual rites of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, it centers on towering, elaborately decorated dashi (festival floats) pulled through the old merchant district. After dark, crews line up their floats face-to-face for hikkawase, a musical standoff of drums, flutes and dancers.

The float procession is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the 2024 edition drew roughly 730,000 visitors over two days.

Saturday evening opens the festivities, while Sunday features the float parade in front of city hall. Roads around the center close during the event, so traveling by train is the easiest option.

Matsuri & Temple Festivals

Tokyo’s own neighborhoods keep the matsuri (traditional community festival) season going into autumn:

• Tokyo Yosakoi (Ikebukuro): Oct 10–11. The second half of the Fukuro Matsuri (Owl Festival) features teams performing yosakoi, an energetic dance style from Kochi Prefecture, around Ikebukuro Station.
• Oeshiki at Ikegami Honmonji (Ota Ward): Oct 11–13. This Buddhist memorial for the monk Nichiren peaks on the night of Oct 12, when processions carry mando (lantern towers decorated with paper flowers) toward the temple to the beat of drums.

Halloween

Plenty is happening across Tokyo throughout the month, from community events and limited-time restaurant menus to seasonal parades at Tokyo Disney Resort and themed light displays at Tokyo Tower. Browse the options and pick whichever stands out, but it helps to reserve a spot early, as tickets for popular events can sell out as the date approaches.

A note for anyone heading to Shibuya: this year, the ward launched its “Goodbye Bad Halloween” campaign, asking visitors to avoid drinking and smoking on the street, littering and taking photos in ways that block foot traffic. Be mindful when passing through the area.

The Hachiko statue will also be fenced off from Oct 30 to Nov 1.

Planning ahead? See our roundup of Halloween in Tokyo 2026 events.

Early Autumn Foliage

Koyo (autumn leaf viewing) doesn’t peak in central Tokyo until late November, but higher elevations change color much sooner.

Mountain areas such as Okunikko in Tochigi Prefecture typically turn in October, making the month a good time for a day trip ahead of the city’s main season. Lodging near popular foliage spots fills up quickly, so it pays to plan early.

See our Japan autumn foliage guide for regional timing, or read about the Top 11 Tokyo Autumn Foliage Spots 2026.