Tokyo edges it in November. Tokyo averages 9–17°C with moderate crowds; Kyoto 8–17°C with high crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Tokyo and Kyoto
The verdict for November
Autumn colour, crisp air
+Peak autumn leaves with cool, dry, very walkable days.
–Leaf-viewing weekends crowd the famous gardens.
The best colour of the year and excellent walking conditions.
Brilliant colour, busiest streets
+Spectacular scenery
–Heaviest crowds and highest prices of the year
Autumn leaves peak in the second half of the month and the city is at its most beautiful and its most crowded. Popular temples sometimes require reservations or have long queues. Hotels sell out well in advance.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month