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

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Tokyo Weather in September

Temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F) early in the month, with lingering summer humidity that can push the “feels like” temperature into the mid-30s°C. September sits within Japan’s peak typhoon season, so scattered heavy rain and the occasional storm disruption are common, especially in the first half — though October, not September, is technically Tokyo’s wettest month on average. By late September, highs settle into the low-to-mid 20s°C (70s°F), nights turn noticeably cooler, and the day-night temperature swing widens — the first real signal that autumn is on its way.

Quick stats:

• Average high: ~26°C (80°F) | Average low: ~21°C (69°F)
• Humidity: ~75–80%, easing toward the end of the month
• Typhoons: September is one of Japan’s two peak typhoon months alongside August, and historically the month when typhoon damage has been most severe — worth building flexibility into outdoor plans, especially Sep 1–15

What to Wear in Tokyo in September

September is the transition month from summer into autumn, and the temperature can vary a lot day to day. It can still be hot and humid, but rain and cooler spells are common too, especially as the month goes on. The general rule is layers: light, breathable fabrics paired with a light jacket or cardigan, comfortable shoes, and a small umbrella will get you through most sudden changes.

Early September (1–10): Still summer. Light, breathable, quick-dry fabrics; a hat and a compact umbrella or foldable rain jacket for sudden downpours.

Mid-September (11–20): Warm, humid days but the first cooler evenings appear. A light cardigan or shirt jacket is handy after sunset.

Late September (21–30): Mornings and nights turn crisp. Add a light jacket or long sleeves, and keep the umbrella in your bag — rain is still common even as the heat fades.

What to Do in Tokyo in September

September has a bit of both worlds: lingering summer festivals and beer gardens alongside the first signs of autumn. As the weather starts to cool, it’s a good stretch for outdoor exploration — but this is also typhoon season, so it’s worth building some flexibility into your plans and keeping an indoor backup plan ready.

A few highlights this month:

• Catch one of the last outdoor festivals of the season, including the Chofu Fireworks Festival
• Take advantage of the five-day Silver Week holiday (Sep 19–23) for a short trip out of the city
• Catch a match at the Grand Sumo September Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan
• Browse craft and design markets like the Tokyo Handmade Marché while the weather still cooperates
• Watch for the first signs of autumn foliage — leaves starting to change color in higher-elevation areas as the month winds down

For more suggestions, read our detailed Things to Do in Tokyo in September.

Seasonal Events in September

September packs in a five-day Silver Week holiday, the Grand Sumo September Tournament, a run of neighborhood matsuri (traditional community festivals), and the first early signs of autumn color further afield.

Silver Week

Silver Week is a rare five-day consecutive holiday period running from Saturday, Sep 19, to Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026. It combines a weekend with Respect for the Aged Day (the third Monday) and Autumnal Equinox Day — expect trains, shrines, and popular day-trip destinations to be busier than usual, and it’s worth booking transport or accommodation ahead if you’re traveling during those dates.

Want to learn more? Read our guide Silver Week 2026 in Japan: Dates, Crowds, and What to Do in Tokyo.

Grand Sumo September Tournament

The September tournament — officially the Aki Basho (Autumn Tournament) — is a 15-day sumo event at Ryogoku Kokugikan that overlaps with the Silver Week stretch, making it easy to combine with a day trip. In a typical year, around 400 unreserved seats go on sale at the door each morning alongside advance-sale reserved seats and box seats. For the 2026 tournament specifically, though, all 15 days sold out in advance and there are no same-day sales — official resale or licensed agencies are the only remaining route to a seat.

See our Grand Sumo September Tournament guide for more details.

Matsuri & Traditional Festivals

Late September also brings a run of neighborhood matsuri and art events across the city:

• Fukuro Matsuri (Ikebukuro) — one of Tokyo’s largest festivals, drawing roughly 200,000 spectators, and held in two parts: the Mikoshi Festival (portable shrine festival) on Sep 26–27, with 15 large shrines and thousands of bearers parading through Ikebukuro’s west exit, followed by the Tokyo Yosakoi dance festival in mid-October
• Nezu Shrine Annual Grand Festival — Sep 26–27; 2026 is a shinkosai year — a special main-shrine procession held only once every four years
• Akasaka Hikawa Festival — Sep 11–15; an autumn matsuri at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It opens with a yoimiya (an eve-of-festival evening procession, lit by lanterns and held the night before the main event), followed by a children’s procession and the main shinkosai parade across its four festival days
• Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa — Sep 18–Oct 4; a light-art installation event, including a rooftop “Museum of the Moon” piece

Early Autumn Foliage

Tokyo’s main autumn foliage season doesn’t start until November, but it’s still worth planning ahead — autumn is one of Japan’s peak travel seasons and accommodation and transport near popular foliage spots fill up fast.

Read our guide to Top 11 Tokyo Autumn Foliage Spots 2026.