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.
2026/11/15 08:00 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.
2026/11/01 09:00 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.
2026/11/08 08:30 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.
2026/11/02 19:30 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.
2026/11/07 17:30 Across Japan免费
Official即将举行© Volfgang · CC BY-SA 3.0东京圣诞市集 2026 神宫外苑 | 日期、场地与门票
**神宫外苑的东京圣诞市集 2026 预计于 2026 年 11 月下旬至 12 月 25 日举办（官方公告待定）。** 市集在圣德纪念绘画馆前的**明治神宫外苑**举行，设有约 14 米高的圣诞金字塔、木屋摊位，以及盛在纪念马克杯中的热红酒（Glühwein）。请在 tokyochristmas.net 确认 2026 年日期。
2026/11/21 11:00 Tokyo收费入场——预计平日约 ¥1,000 / 周末约 ¥1,500，高峰日更高；2026 年价格待在 tokyochristmas.net 确认（截至 2026 年 7 月）。餐饮与纪念热红酒马克杯需另行付费。
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。
2026/11/21 16:30 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.
2026/11/21 11:00 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.
2026/11/15 09:00 OsakaMarathon ¥18,000 (Japan residents) / ¥24,200 (overseas entrants); 2-person relay ¥30,400
Official即将举行© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Ramen Expo Osaka 2026: Nov–Dec Dates, 60 Shops
Ramen Expo Osaka 2026 runs late Nov–Dec, ~60 shops, ~¥900/bowl. 2026 dates aren't out yet — 2025 ran Nov 22–Dec 30 in six acts, so expect a similar window.
2026/11/22 10:00 OsakaPark admission plus ramen tickets (typically around ¥900 per bowl).
Official即将举行© senngokujidai4434 · CC BY 2.0Izumo Taisha Kamiari-sai 2026
Every god in Japan is said to gather at Izumo Taisha for Kamiari-zuki (Nov 9-Dec 8, 2026) -- the one shrine where the 'godless month' becomes the 'month with gods'.
2026/11/18 19:00 Across Japan免费