List of Seasonal Events in Japan in November
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November in Japan is the gateway to winter, also looked on as the end of autumn. It is getting colder day by day in most areas of the country. In the northernmost prefecture Hokkaido, it starts to snow around early November. On the other hand, the southernmost part of Okinawa still keeps a warm climate.
People enjoy viewing red autumn leaves and golden ginkgo leaves in urban areas including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Japan also features various fresh autumn foods in November. There are two national holidays in November: Japanese Culture Day and Labor Thanksgiving Day. In the middle of the month, the Japanese celebrate Shichi-go-san (Seven-five-three) for boys aged three and five and girls aged three and seven.
For both visitors and residents all over Japan, here is the list of the 10 best events in Japan in November. It includes gorgeous illuminations, food festivals featuring seasonal ingredients in autumn, and traditional Japanese festivals.
Don’t miss the one and only experience in Japan!
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1. Universal Studio Japan Halloween and Christmas (Osaka)
Universal Studio Japan is one of the famous amusement parks in Japan holding special events every season. This November they held a special Halloween and Christmas event to the theme of HAHAHA Halloween Party and NO Limit Christmas.
Genre: Special Event
Location: Universal Studio Japan
Dates: (HAHAHA Halloween Party) September 5 to November 4, 2024
Dates: (No Limit Christmas) November 20, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
<<Book your Ticket for Universal Studio Japan here!!>>
For more information about this event, check the following article!
▶︎Universal Studios Japan Christmas 2024–2025
2. Grand Sumo Tournament (Fukuoka)
Sumo is considered a national sport in Japan and is known as Japanese-style wrestling which is held tournaments across Japan. And this November the grand sumo tournament will be held in Fukuoka Prefecture.
<<Book your seat for Sumo Grand Tournament in Fukuoka 2024!!>>
Genre: Tournament
Location: Fukuoka Kakusai Center
Dates: November 10 to November 24, 2024
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/
 Access |
18 minutes from Hakata Station (BUS) to Kokusai Kaigijo Sun Palace Mae then 4 minutes walk to the Center. |
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3. Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination (Tochigi)
A flower garden park Ashikaga held a special illumination event featuring more than 5 million LED lights throughout the park which gives a fantasy-like and magical place.
Genre: illumination
Location: Ashikaga Flower Park
Dates: October 18, 2024 to February 16, 2025
Website: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/flowerfantasy_special2023/en/index.html
| Access |
8 minutes from Ashikaga Station. JR Ryomo Line. |
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For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination
4. Nabana no Sato Illumination (Mie)
Nabana no Sato is one of the well-known tourist destinations in Mie prefecture and is known as a popular attraction. Best place to go this November as they offer an illumination event from Late October 2024 to early June 2025 featuring the colorful lights tunnel and flower garden.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Nabana no Sato
Dates: October 19, 2024 to June 1, 2025
Website: https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/index.html
| Access |
21 minutes from Kuwana Station (Kuwana Nagashima Line) to Nabana no Sato. |
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For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶Nabana no Sato: Spectacular Winter Illumination
5. NAKED Garden One Kyoto
Naked Autumn Light-Ups and illumination event in Kyoto that features the rich cultural history of Kyoto in digital arts, display, lights, and illumination making a colorful and magical autumn an art and digital project by the popular creative company Naked Inc. to be held in nine locations in Kyoto including the famous Nijo Castle.
Genre: Autumn Light-up
Location: Across Kyoto
Dates: September 14 to December 8, 2024
Website: https://garden.naked.works/kyoto/
For more information about this event, check the following article!
▶︎NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO 2024: Autumn Light-ups
6. TeamLab Kanazawa Castle Festival of Lights (Ishikawa)
An Illumination event and festival held at Kanazawa Castle featuring TeamLab Kanazawa Castle Festival of Lights which also has projection mappings and digital arts of flowers and animals.
Genre: Illumination/Festival
Location: Kanazawa Castle Park
Dates: September 30 to November 26, 2023 (TBA)
Website: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/kanazawacastle/
| Access |
17 minutes Kanazawa (Bus) to Minami-cho Oyama Jinja Shrine then 9 minutes walk to castle. |
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7. Disney Christmas (Chiba)
Disney Christmas is a special annual event featuring fun, fantasy, and entertainment. The park is full of colorful Christmas decorations in addition to the Christmas tree, electrical parade, and lights.
Genre: Special Event
Location: Tokyo Disney Resort
Dates: November 15 to December 25, 2024
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/christmas2024/tdl/
<<Book your Tokyo Disney Resort Ticket here!!>>
| Access |
11 minutes walk from Maihama Station. |
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8. Saga International Balloon Fiesta (Saga)
Saga International Balloon Fiesta Is a hot air balloon festival and competition held in Saga Japan known as the largest sky sport in Asia. The event will be held in Kase Riverside this November 2023.
Genre: Festival
Location: Kase Riverside
Dates: October 31 to November 4, 2024
Website: https://www.sibf.jp/en/
| Access |
33 minutes from Saga Station (JR Local Hizen-Kashima) to Balloon Saga Station. |
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9. Huis Ten Bosch Halloween and Christmas (Nagasaki)
Huis Ten Bosch is one of the famous themed parks in Japan holding Autumn and Winter events with the theme of the Halloween festival and Christmas in the City of Lights. Allowing the visitors to enjoy both amazing and exciting events in November.
Genre: Illumination/Festival
Location: Huis Ten Bosch
Dates: (Halloween) September 13 to November 4, 2024
Dates: (Christmas) November 8, 2023 to January 6, 2025
Website: https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/
| Access |
20 minutes from Haiki Station (Omura Line) to Huis Ten Bosch Station then walk about 15 minute to themed Park. |
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10. Sapporo White Illumination
An annual winter illumination event held in Sapporo City in Hokkaido featuring thousands of LED lights, decorations, and artistic light designs making you feel in the magical world. In addition, other winter activities and events are also taking place such as Snow Festival and Christmas Night Market.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Sapporo Area (6 Venues)
Dates: November 22, 2024 to March 14, 2025 (The date depends on the Venue)
Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/
For more information about this event, check the following article!
▶︎Sapporo White Illumination 2024-2025
Want to check out last month’s events? Check them out from the following link!
▶︎List of Best Events in Japan in October
▽Here are more Autumn related articles▽
▶7 Days Itinerary in Tokyo in Autumn
▶Best Events in Tokyo in November
▶Best Autumn Leaves Events in Japan
▶Best Autumn Festivals in Japan
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Written by
Greetings to all mommies I am a supermom from Philippines. Previously, I worked and lived in Dubai for seven years, until 2015 the year I moved in Japan. Currently, I am happily settled here with my Japanese husband and our 7 months old baby. I could only describe my almost 6 years of living here as a roller coaster ride more so, after I gave birth to my son. Japan had changed me in ways unimaginable. It has influence my lifestyle, my perceptions and beliefs. I was able to witness firsthand the pros and cons of living in the country. From their language, culture and ethnicity, the people, place and in work. Those years were enough to give me quite personal and memorable experiences which I would be more than delighted to share with you.
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