Japan Events in November 2026: What's On, Where, and Whether It's Free
November 2026 belongs to the leaves — and to everything lit. Kyoto's foliage builds to its late-November peak, the year's final sumo tournament — the Kyushu Basho (Nov 8–22) — fills Fukuoka, Karatsu Kunchi (Nov 2–4) parades its giant lacquered floats, Tsuchiura's fireworks competition (Nov 7) closes hanabi season, and from Nov 21 the Christmas markets and grand illuminations switch on for the winter.
As of Jul 2026 — every linked row is confirmed on its own page; tap through for access, tickets and updates.
November 2026 at a glance
| Event | Dates | City / Region | Free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karatsu Kunchi | Nov 2–4 | Karatsu (Kyushu) | Yes |
| Tori-no-Ichi | from Nov 7 (rooster days) | Tokyo (Asakusa) | Yes |
| Tsuchiura Fireworks Competition | Nov 7 | Tsuchiura (Ibaraki) | Yes (paid seats optional) |
| Kyushu Basho (Grand Sumo) | Nov 8–22 | Fukuoka | Ticketed |
| Kobe Marathon | Nov 15 | Kobe | Free to spectate |
| Arashiyama foliage | mid-Nov – early Dec | Kyoto | Yes |
| Korankei Valley momiji | mid–late Nov | near Nagoya | Yes |
| Tokyo Christmas Market (Jingu Gaien) | from Nov 21 | Tokyo | Entry fee |
| Sapporo White Illumination | from Nov 21 | Sapporo | Yes |
| Ramen Expo Osaka | from Nov 22 | Osaka | Entry free, pay per bowl |
The honest short-list — which one is for you?
| Pick | Best for | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto foliage | The most beautiful thing Japan does all year — temple gardens in full colour, plus night light-ups like Eikando. | Peak weeks (≈Nov 20 – early Dec) are the year's most crowded and priciest in Kyoto — stay in Osaka or Otsu and train in. |
| Kyushu Basho | The friendliest sumo tickets of the year — the last tournament until January. | It's in Fukuoka: brilliant food city, but it's a trip, not a Tokyo add-on. |
| Karatsu Kunchi | Fourteen giant lacquered floats — lions, sea bream, samurai helmets — hauled through a small castle town. | Nov 2–4 lodging in Karatsu is tight; day-trip from Fukuoka (about an hour). |
| Christmas markets | Mulled wine under the ginkgo trees from Nov 21 — winter atmosphere without winter cold (yet). | The Jingu Gaien market charges entry and books out weekend slots. |
For most first-timers: Kyoto foliage, planned properly — pick 2–3 temples per day max, add one night illumination, and read our foliage planner for timing by region.
Foliage without the crush
Kyoto is the headline, not the whole story: Korankei near Nagoya is arguably Japan's single best momiji valley, Nikko's Irohazaka peaks earlier in the month, and city parks (Meiji Jingu Gaien's ginkgo avenue) turn gold with zero admission. Full timing tables: autumn leaves & illuminations guide.
Lights on: the winter switch
From Nov 21 the winter season starts on cue: the Tokyo Christmas Market at Jingu Gaien, Sapporo's White Illumination, Yokohama's Red Brick market and the citywide displays in our winter illuminations 2026–2027 guide. Food fans get Ramen Expo Osaka (from Nov 22) and the good-fortune rake fairs of Tori-no-Ichi (from Nov 7) in Asakusa.
Planning tips for November
- Kyoto beds are the bottleneck. Peak-foliage weekends sell out months out at 2–3× price — base in Osaka/Otsu and ride in, or aim for the Nov 14–20 shoulder.
- Sumo's easiest ticket. Kyushu Basho weekday seats are the most gettable of the six tournaments — see the full sumo schedule guide for how sales work.
- One warm layer more than you think. Tokyo is mild but Kyoto evenings at light-ups drop near 5 °C; Sapporo is already winter.
- Fireworks in scarves: Tsuchiura (Nov 7) is the connoisseurs' competition — cold air, crystal skies, far smaller crowds than summer.
More months: ← October 2026 · December 2026 → · Theme: foliage & light-ups · winter illuminations
FAQ
What are the biggest events in Japan in November 2026? Kyoto's autumn foliage (peaking late Nov), the Kyushu Basho sumo tournament (Nov 8–22, Fukuoka), Karatsu Kunchi (Nov 2–4), the Tsuchiura fireworks competition (Nov 7), and the Christmas markets/illuminations from Nov 21.
When do autumn leaves peak in Kyoto in 2026? Typically from around Nov 20 into early December, garden by garden. Higher ground (Nikko, Korankei) peaks earlier in the month.
Is November a good time to visit Japan? One of the two best months (with October): cool, clear, and visually spectacular. Its one cost is Kyoto crowding at foliage peak.
Are the illuminations and Christmas markets free? Street illuminations are free; the Jingu Gaien Christmas market charges an entry fee, and some garden light-ups (Eikando etc.) charge admission.
Can I still see sumo in November 2026? Yes — the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka (Nov 8–22) is the year's final tournament and its most relaxed ticket. After that, the next basho is Tokyo in January.
常见问题
- What are the biggest events in Japan in November 2026?
- Kyoto's autumn foliage (peaking late Nov), the Kyushu Basho sumo tournament (Nov 8–22, Fukuoka), Karatsu Kunchi (Nov 2–4), the Tsuchiura fireworks competition (Nov 7), and the Christmas markets and illuminations switching on from Nov 21.
- When do autumn leaves peak in Kyoto in 2026?
- Typically from around Nov 20 into early December, varying garden by garden. Higher ground like Nikko and Korankei peaks earlier in the month.
- Is November a good time to visit Japan?
- One of the two best months, with October — cool, clear and spectacular. Its one cost is Kyoto's crowds and hotel prices at foliage peak.
- Are the illuminations and Christmas markets free?
- Street illuminations are free. The Jingu Gaien Christmas market charges entry, and some temple light-ups charge admission.
- Can I still see sumo in November 2026?
- Yes — the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka (Nov 8–22) is the year's final tournament and its most relaxed ticket; the next basho after it is Tokyo in January.
全部活动
Official即将举行© Takeshi Kuboki · CC BY 2.0Arashiyama Autumn Leaves
Kyoto's Arashiyama bursts into crimson and gold each November, with mountain temples, a scenic train and bamboo groves.
2026年11月15日周日 08:00 JST Kyoto免费
Official即将举行© Shubert Ciencia · CC BY 2.0Korankei Valley Autumn Foliage (Momiji Festival)
Over 4,000 maples of 11 varieties set Aichi's Korankei gorge ablaze in crimson, with evening light-ups reflecting on the Tomoe River until 9 p.m.
2026年11月1日周日 09:00 JST Nagoya免费
Official即将举行© davidgsteadman · Public domainGrand Sumo Tournament — Kyushu Basho (Fukuoka)
The year's final grand sumo tournament fills Fukuoka Kokusai Center for 15 days of ring-entering ceremonies, salt-throwing and thunderous bouts of giants.
2026年11月8日周日 08:30 JST FukuokaFrom ~¥3,800 (arena seats) to box seats
Official即将举行© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0Karatsu Kunchi Festival
Fourteen colossal lacquered floats — golden lions, samurai helmets and dragons up to 7 m tall — are dragged through town and onto a beach where they sink in sand.
2026年11月2日周一 19:30 JST Fukuoka免费
Official即将举行© Cobalt Fox · Public DomainTsuchiura All-Japan Fireworks Competition 2026
One of Japan's three great fireworks competitions, where rival pyrotechnicians fire 20,000 shells over the Sakuragawa river to be crowned the nation's best.
2026年11月7日周六 17:30 JST Across Japan免费
Official即将举行© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0东京圣诞市集 2026：新丰洲与芝公园 会期一览
2026 年移至新丰洲（11/20〜12/25）与芝公园（12/4〜12/25）两个会场，不再是神宫外苑。官方公布的会期、时间与地址。
2026年11月20日周五 16:00 JST Tokyoチケットの価格・販売開始日は未発表（公式が決定次第告知）。
Official即将举行© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0札幌白色灯节 2026 | 日期、地点与门票
**札幌白色灯节 2026 预计将于 11 月下旬至 2026 年 12 月 25 日点亮大通公园，车站前及其他会场则将持续闪耀至 2027 年 2 月（官方发布待定）。** 活动**免费**，以紧邻**大通站**的大通公园为中心，是札幌冬季温暖闪耀的心脏地带。
2026年11月21日周六 16:30 JST Sapporo免费
Official即将举行© Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026
Japan's largest German-style Christmas market: a glittering tree, wooden hutte stalls, mulled wine and bay-side lights by the historic red brick warehouses.
2026年11月21日周六 11:00 JST YokohamaPaid timed entry (around ¥500–1,000 — check official site).
Official即将举行© Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 4.0Kobe Marathon 2026
Japan's earthquake-recovery marathon returns Nov 15, 2026 — 20,000 runners from Kobe City Hall out along the Akashi coast to a Harborland finish.
2026年11月15日周日 09:00 JST OsakaMarathon ¥18,000 (Japan residents) / ¥24,200 (overseas entrants); 2-person relay ¥30,400 (Fees per the official race guidelines, as of September 18, 2026.)
Official即将举行© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Ramen Expo 2026 Osaka: All 6 Session Dates & 60 Shops
Official: 21 Nov – 30 Dec 2026 at Expo '70 Commemorative Park, across 6 sessions. 10 shops per session, 60 total. Free admission (park fee ¥450).
2026年11月21日周六 11:00 JST Osaka入場無料。別途、万博記念公園・自然文化園・日本庭園の共通入園料（高校生以上450円・小中学生無料）が必要。ラーメンはチケット制。
Official即将举行© senngokujidai4434 · CC BY 2.0Izumo Taisha Kamiari-sai 2026: Dates, Rites and Times
Izumo Taisha's Kamiari-sai 2026 runs from the Kamimukae welcoming rite at 19:00 on Wednesday, November 18 to the Karasade send-off rite at 16:00 on Wednesday, November 25.
2026年11月18日周三 19:00 JST Across Japan免费