Eastbound FindsIn the first ten days of November, Tokyo’s average high is 18.6°C (65°F). By the last ten days, the average low is 7.1°C (45°F). That one-month slide, from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) averages for 1991–2020, is why packing for November is mostly about layers. Hana here: below are the numbers for six cities, week by week, and what they mean for your suitcase.
Key points
- Japan's official 1991–2020 averages put November in Tokyo at 12.5°C (55°F), with average highs of 16.7°C (62°F) and lows of 8.8°C (48°F).
- November cools fast: Tokyo's average high falls from 18.6°C (65°F) in the first ten days to 14.9°C (59°F) in the last ten, and the average low from 10.6°C (51°F) to 7.1°C (45°F).
- Sapporo averages 5.2°C (41°F) in November with snow on 15.6 days, and its average low in late November is -0.4°C (31°F).
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- Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Fukuoka see almost no snow in November (0 to 0.1 days on average); average highs are 16.7–18.2°C (62–65°F).
- The sun sets in Tokyo at 4:46 pm on 1 November 2026 and 4:28 pm on 30 November, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.
Japan weather in November by city
| City | Average | Average high | Average low | Rain | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | 14.2°C / 58°F | 18.2°C / 65°F | 10.6°C / 51°F | 91.4 mm | 0.1 |
| Osaka | 13.8°C / 57°F | 17.8°C / 64°F | 10.2°C / 50°F | 72.5 mm | 0 |
| Nagoya | 12.6°C / 55°F | 17.3°C / 63°F | 8.6°C / 47°F | 79.1 mm | 0 |
| Tokyo | 12.5°C / 55°F | 16.7°C / 62°F | 8.8°C / 48°F | 96.3 mm | 0 |
| Kyoto | 12.5°C / 55°F | 17.3°C / 63°F | 8.4°C / 47°F | 73.9 mm | 0 |
| Sapporo | 5.2°C / 41°F | 8.7°C / 48°F | 1.6°C / 35°F | 113.8 mm | 15.6 |
Source: JMA monthly normals, 1991–2020, checked on 28 October 2026. Fahrenheit is rounded.
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Mikan's note: These are 30-year averages, not a forecast – this year could run warmer or colder, so check the 7-day forecast before you pick your outer layer. Heading to Hokkaido? Smooth-soled sneakers slip easily on snow and ice.
Kyoto has the same average as Tokyo, but its nights are a little colder. Sapporo is a different season altogether: it averages a total of 30 cm of snowfall in November.
Early, mid or late November: how much colder it gets
The JMA also publishes averages for each ten-day period. Here are highs and lows:
| City | 1–10 Nov | 11–20 Nov | 21–30 Nov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 18.6 / 10.6°C (65 / 51°F) | 16.6 / 8.8°C (62 / 48°F) | 14.9 / 7.1°C (59 / 45°F) |
| Osaka | 20.0 / 12.1°C (68 / 54°F) | 17.6 / 10.2°C (64 / 50°F) | 15.9 / 8.4°C (61 / 47°F) |
| Kyoto | 19.5 / 10.2°C (67 / 50°F) | 17.1 / 8.4°C (63 / 47°F) | 15.3 / 6.5°C (60 / 44°F) |
| Sapporo | 11.8 / 4.0°C (53 / 39°F) | 8.4 / 1.3°C (48 / 34°F) | 6.0 / -0.4°C (43 / 31°F) |
Kyoto’s maples are forecast to be at their best from mid to late November in 2026 (see the autumn leaves forecast), so a popular time for a Kyoto trip is also the coldest part of the month. Night viewings of lit-up gardens, and the winter illuminations, several of which switch on in November, mean standing outside at the coldest time of day.
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This is packing advice based on the averages above, not an official dress guide:
- Early November in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or Fukuoka: long-sleeved tops, a light jacket or cardigan, and comfortable walking shoes. Sunny afternoons near 20°C (68°F) can feel warm in a heavy coat.
- Mid to late November in the same cities: add a warm coat or a packable down jacket, a warm base layer and a scarf for evenings around 6–10°C (44–50°F). Layers you can take off indoors work better than one thick coat.
- Sapporo and Hokkaido: a proper winter coat, hat, gloves, and shoes with grip. Sapporo has snow on 15.6 days in an average November.
- Everywhere: a folding umbrella. Tokyo averages 96.3 mm (about 3.8 inches) of rain in November.
- Shoes: pick a pair you can slip off quickly. You take your shoes off at the entrance of many temple halls, ryokan inns and some restaurants, and laces get tiresome by the third stop.
It gets dark before 5 pm
According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the sun sets in Tokyo at 4:46 pm on 1 November 2026 and 4:28 pm on 30 November. Put gardens, temples and viewpoints in the morning and early afternoon, and keep shopping, food halls and illuminations for the evening.
Staying on into December?
Tokyo’s December average is 7.7°C (46°F) with lows of 3.8°C (39°F), and Sapporo dips below zero (-0.9°C, 30°F). It’s also the season of lights, cake and fried chicken. So what does a Japanese Christmas actually look like? Find out in Christmas in Japan.
