Season guide · Nara · Japan
Nara in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Pleasant temperatures, the deer antler-cutting, the Shoso-in Exhibition and maple colour in November. Expect highs up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 24 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 6°C (43°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 24
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 8 | 11.2 h | 4/5 |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 6 | 10.3 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 23°C (73°F) against a yearly 21°C (70°F), and 24 of the year's roughly 103 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Uneme Festival at Sarusawa Pond (usually around the September harvest moon)
- October: Deer antler-cutting ceremony (usually October weekends)
- October: Shoso-in Exhibition at the Nara National Museum (usually late October to mid-November)
- November: Autumn leaves in Nara Park (usually mid to late November)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Nara Park
Kasugayama Primeval Forest
Hunting and logging have been banned in this sacred forest behind Kasuga Taisha for more than a thousand years, preserving old-growth trees.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Free
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Nishinokyo
Heijo Palace site
It is large and exposed; visit in spring or autumn and rent a bike from near Yamato-Saidaiji station.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
- Architecture
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Park · Nara Park
Nara Park and its deer
This large public park of lawns, ponds and forest links Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Garden · Nara Park
Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens
Combine both with lunch at Isui-en's restaurant overlooking the pond; Yoshiki-en has been free for foreign visitors showing a passport.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Nara Park
Nigatsu-do Hall
A hillside hall of Todai-ji with a wooden veranda looking over the Great Buddha Hall's roof and the city.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Day trips in autumn
- Fushimi Inari-taisha (About 45 minutes by train) — The shrine's tunnels of thousands of vermilion torii gates climb Mount Inari on the southern edge of Kyoto.
- Mount Yoshino (About 1.5–2 hours by train and ropeway) — A mountain covered with tens of thousands of cherry trees that bloom in stages up the slopes, usually in early to mid-April.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Nara?
Yes: October–November are among the best months. Pleasant temperatures, the deer antler-cutting, the Shoso-in Exhibition and maple colour in November.
+What is the weather like in Nara in autumn?
Highs of up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 24 rainy days over the season.