When you step into Tokyo during fall, you notice the shift right away. The intense summer heat backs off, skies clear more often, and the city settles into a cooler, more comfortable rhythm.
On average, daily high temperatures drop from the mid-80s °F in early September to the upper 50s °F by late November, making fall one of the most pleasant seasons to explore Tokyo.
You’ll see less rain as the season moves forward, with September starting wetter and November ending much drier. Humidity that lingers through summer fades quickly, leaving crisp air that feels honestly refreshing.
Daylight hours shrink steadily. Still, the mix of cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and colorful autumn leaves creates ideal conditions for sightseeing or just everyday life.
If you know how temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, and daylight change through fall, you’ll have a much easier time deciding what to wear or what to plan. Whether you’re hoping to join outdoor festivals, wander through gardens, or just want a sense of what weather to expect, Tokyo’s fall climate gives you a reliable blend of comfort and variety.
Overview of Fall Weather in Tokyo
Fall in Tokyo brings cooler air, less humidity, and clearer skies than summer. You’ll notice shorter days and steady breezes, with a gradual shift from warm early September to crisp late November.
Key Characteristics of Tokyo’s Autumn Climate
Temperatures in Tokyo drop steadily during fall. Daily highs fall from about 84°F (29°C) in early September to 57°F (14°C) by late November.
Nighttime lows move from the mid-70s°F (around 24°C) down to the mid-40s°F (about 7°C).
Rainfall also drops off. At the start of the season, you might see around 6 inches (150 mm) of rain in a month, but by late November, it’s closer to 3 inches (75 mm).
The chance of a rainy day falls from nearly 40% to just over 20%.
Humidity falls fast, making the air feel way more comfortable. Early September still feels muggy, but by November, the air is dry and crisp.
Skies clear up, too, with cloud cover dropping from over half the days to less than a third.
Winds stay steady, averaging about 7–8 mph (11–13 km/h). Early in the season, breezes often come from the south, but by mid-September, they shift north and bring cooler air.
Transition from Summer to Fall
You really feel the transition from late summer heat to fall coolness. In early September, afternoons can still get hot—close to 30°C—but evenings start to cool down.
By October, daytime highs usually stick between 20–25°C (68–77°F), which feels just about perfect for being outside.
As daylight shortens, Tokyo loses nearly three hours of sunlight between September and November. Sunsets move earlier every week, from around 6:00 PM in September to near 4:30 PM in November.
Water temperatures around Tokyo Bay cool off as well, from about 78°F (26°C) in early September to 65°F (18°C) by late November.
This drop matches the overall seasonal cooling across eastern Asia.
Humidity dropping is one of the clearest signs fall has arrived. By late November, the sticky summer air is totally gone, making outdoor walks, festivals, and leaf viewing much more comfortable.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, Tokyo’s fall is less humid, cooler, and drier. Summer brings frequent rain, high humidity, and daytime highs near or above 30°C (86°F).
Fall, on the other hand, offers mild days and crisp nights.
Winter is colder and drier than fall. By January, average highs drop to around 10°C (50°F), and nights can fall close to freezing.
Snow is rare but possible in winter, while fall rarely sees frost.
Spring shares some similarities with fall, offering mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Still, spring often brings more rain, especially during cherry blossom season. Fall stays clearer and less rainy, making it one of the most stable times for travel.
Average Fall Temperatures
In Tokyo, fall brings a steady drop in warmth as the hot summer shifts toward cooler and drier conditions. You’ll notice shorter days, milder afternoons, and cooler nights, which makes the season comfortable for exploring the city outdoors.
Monthly Highs and Lows
At the start of September, daytime highs often reach around 84°F (29°C), while nights stay warm near 74°F (23°C).
By late November, afternoons cool to 57°F (14°C) and nights dip closer to 45°F (7°C).
You move from summer-like heat in early fall to jacket weather by the end.
Temperatures rarely fall below 39°F (4°C) or rise above 91°F (33°C) during this period, so the weather stays moderate compared to winter extremes.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 80–84°F (27–29°C) | 68–74°F (20–23°C) |
| October | 68–75°F (20–24°C) | 55–61°F (13–16°C) |
| November | 57–64°F (14–18°C) | 45–52°F (7–11°C) |
These ranges help you figure out what to wear, from light shirts in September to layers and light coats by November.
Hourly Temperature Trends
During fall in Tokyo, mornings start cool and gradually warm up through midday. Afternoon highs usually peak between 1 PM and 3 PM, then drop off steadily after sunset.
In September, early mornings hover near 70°F (21°C), while afternoons climb into the low 80s.
By November, mornings feel brisk at 45–50°F (7–10°C), and afternoons top out in the upper 50s.
Nights cool quickly, especially later in the season. You might find evenings in October still mild enough for outdoor dining, but by late November, you’ll want a sweater or jacket.
This steady daily rhythm makes it easier to plan activities around the warmest hours of the day.
Temperature Variation Throughout the Season
The temperature drop across fall is pretty significant, with highs falling nearly 27°F (15°C) and lows dropping about 29°F (16°C) from September to November.
This transition feels gradual, so you experience a smooth shift rather than sudden changes.
Early September often feels humid and warm, more like late summer. By mid-October, the air turns crisp and humidity eases up, giving you cooler evenings.
By the end of November, the weather kind of resembles early winter, though it’s still milder than January.
This progression affects more than just comfort. Outdoor events, leaf-viewing, and travel plans all line up with these shifts.
If you know the seasonal curve, you can decide when to visit Tokyo, whether you like warmer days or that cool autumn air.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Tokyo’s fall weather brings steady rainfall that shapes the season. You can expect wetter conditions in early fall, with October standing out as the rainiest month, then a gradual decline in November and December.
Average Rainfall by Month
Rainfall in Tokyo during fall follows a clear downward trend. October is usually the wettest month, averaging about 200–210 mm of precipitation.
This high rainfall comes from lingering typhoon activity and seasonal weather fronts.
By November, rainfall drops sharply to around 90–100 mm, and by December it’s only 60–65 mm.
Late fall feels a lot drier than early fall.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| October | ~210 mm |
| November | ~95 mm |
| December | ~62 mm |
These numbers give you a realistic sense of how much rain to expect when planning outdoor activities in Tokyo during autumn.
Frequency of Rainy Days
The number of rainy days shifts as fall moves forward. In October, you can expect 16–17 days with measurable rain, which is about half the month.
By November, this drops to 10–11 days, and in December it averages 8–9 days.
Rain becomes less frequent, but it doesn’t disappear entirely.
So in early fall, you’ll probably want to keep an umbrella handy. By late fall, you can count on more dry stretches, making it easier to enjoy outdoor sightseeing without weather getting in the way.
Seasonal Changes in Precipitation
The change in rainfall across fall reflects bigger seasonal patterns in Tokyo’s climate. October’s high totals are tied to the end of the Pacific typhoon season, which often brings heavy rain to eastern Japan.
As November rolls in, typhoons fade away and drier continental air starts to take over. This shift brings noticeably less rainfall and clearer skies.
By December, precipitation levels hit their lowest of the year. Rain gets lighter and less frequent, and snow is still rare in central Tokyo.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
During fall in Tokyo, skies clear up as the season goes on. Cloud cover drops steadily, daylight hours shrink, and the balance between sunny and overcast days shifts.
These changes affect how much sunshine you’ll actually get during your visit.
Cloud Cover Trends During Fall
In early September, Tokyo skies are often cloudy, with over half the days mostly cloudy or overcast.
By late November, this drops to about a third of the time, giving you more chances for blue skies.
This steady clearing really defines Tokyo’s fall weather. The transition from humid late summer to cooler autumn air helps cut down on cloud formation.
The change isn’t abrupt, but gradual. September still brings some leftover summer humidity, while November feels drier and clearer.
Late fall turns out to be a more reliable period for outdoor activities.
If you’re into photography or sightseeing, you’ll notice how the lighting improves as the season moves forward. The clearer skies also show off the city’s autumn foliage.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Daylight in Tokyo drops quickly during fall. In early September, you get close to 13 hours of daylight, but by late November, it’s just under 10 hours.
The actual amount of bright sunshine depends on cloud cover. With skies clearing later in the season, sunlight feels better even though the days are shorter.
November often feels sunnier than September, oddly enough, despite fewer daylight hours.
You’ll see the sun rise earlier in September, around 5:15 AM, and later in November, closer to 6:30 AM.
Sunset shifts from just after 6:00 PM in early fall to around 4:30 PM by late November.
This pattern creates shorter but clearer days, which are great for daytime excursions, walking tours, and seeing seasonal scenery under crisp light.
Clear and Overcast Day Statistics
If you check the data, the contrast between clear and cloudy days stands out. Early September has about a 39% chance of rain, and skies are cloudy more than half the time.
By late November, the chance of rain drops to about 21%, and skies are clear or partly clear about 70% of the time.
The clearest day of fall usually shows up near the end of November. On that day, skies are mostly clear or partly cloudy for most of the daylight hours.
Mid-summer in Tokyo brings some of the cloudiest skies of the year. That’s why fall is one of the best seasons for reliable sunshine.
If you love being outside, late October through November offers the best mix of daylight and clear skies. This period also lines up with peak autumn colors, giving you great conditions for both weather and scenery.
Daylight Hours and Sun Position
During fall in Tokyo, daylight steadily shrinks, sunrise and sunset times creep earlier, and the sun sits lower in the sky. These changes shape how much direct sunlight you get each day and the feel of mornings and evenings.
Changes in Day Length
Tokyo’s days get shorter as fall moves along. In September, you get about 12.4 hours of daylight. By November, that number drops to around 10.2 hours.
You’ll notice mornings and evenings shrinking, with over two hours less daylight by late fall. The change creeps up on you, so September still feels pretty long, but by November, the city gets quiet and cool earlier each evening.
If you’re planning outdoor activities or sightseeing, you’ll have to tweak your plans for those shorter afternoons.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset in Tokyo shift earlier as fall goes on. In early September, the sun comes up around 5:15 AM and sets near 6:00 PM. By the end of November, sunrise is closer to 6:30 AM, and sunset happens around 4:30 PM.
November’s early sunsets can catch you off guard. You might step out late in the afternoon and suddenly it’s already dark.
Here’s a rough guide to average times:
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~5:15 AM | ~6:00 PM |
| October | ~5:40 AM | ~5:10 PM |
| November | ~6:20 AM | ~4:30 PM |
These times change a little each year, but the pattern stays about the same.
Twilight and Solar Elevation
Twilight in Tokyo gets shorter as fall goes on. Civil twilight—when there’s still some decent natural light after sunset—lasts about 30–40 minutes in September but gets briefer by November. The sky turns dark pretty fast as the season ends.
The sun also doesn’t climb as high. In September, it sits over 60° above the horizon at midday. By November, it barely reaches 40°. Shadows stretch out, and the sunlight loses some of its punch.
You’ll probably feel the difference. Lower sun angles in late fall make afternoons cooler, even if the sky stays clear.
Humidity, Wind, and Other Atmospheric Conditions
Fall in Tokyo brings drier air, shifting winds, and clearer skies as winter approaches. All these changes affect your comfort outside, and they can even change how you travel or enjoy the city.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity drops fast once summer ends. Early September feels muggy, with dew points above 65°F. By late November, the air turns much drier.
You’ll notice a big shift in how it feels. At the start of fall, about 80% of days still feel humid or muggy. By the end of November, humidity levels fall close to 0%, and the air feels crisp.
If you’re sensitive to humidity, September might feel sticky, but October and November bring real relief. Many travelers like mid to late fall best for walking and sightseeing, since sweat dries quickly and the air feels lighter.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds in Tokyo during fall stay pretty steady. You’ll usually feel breezes at around 7–8 mph—not enough to bother you, but enough to make a cool day feel colder.
Wind direction changes as the season moves along. Early September brings warm winds from the south. By mid-September, breezes swing from the east for a bit, and then from late September through November, winds come down from the north.
So, you get warmer breezes at the start of fall and cooler, drier air later. If you’re walking by the waterfront or in open spots, keep in mind that the wind can make evenings feel colder than the numbers suggest.
Other Notable Weather Phenomena
A few more atmospheric changes really shape Tokyo’s fall weather. Cloud cover drops—over half the days in September usually feel pretty cloudy, but by late November, only about a third of days look that way. Late fall just ends up feeling much sunnier and clearer.
Rainfall goes down too. In early September, you might get over 6 inches of rain in a 31-day stretch. By late November, that number falls to under 3 inches. October, though, tends to bring frequent showers, so honestly, it’s smart to keep an umbrella handy.
Daylight is another thing you’ll notice. You lose almost three hours of daylight from early September to late November. Sunrise creeps later, and sunset arrives earlier, which definitely changes how much time you’ve got for anything outside.
The nearby sea cools off as well. Sea surface temperature drops from about 78°F down to 65°F by late fall. That cooler water helps bring in drier, chillier air. You can feel it. This cooling also marks the end of typhoon season, so the risk of big storms goes way down.