十月
October in Japan
The most comfortable month to move around. Autumn colour starts in Hokkaido and the high Alps and works its way down.
Weather
Clear and mild: Tokyo 15-22°C. The mountains turn first; cities stay green until November.
What's on
The Takayama Autumn Festival on October 9-10. Shibuya turns into one big Halloween costume by the 31st.
Where to go
Daisetsuzan and Nikko's high roads for the first momiji, Hakone's ropeways, long walking days on the Nakasendo.
On the table
Chestnuts, matsutake rice, street-roasted sweet potatoes as the evenings cool.
