Autumn is a great time of year to be in Japan: temperatures are mild, the scenery is beautiful with fall foliage, and there are festivals happening all over the country. Plus, this time of year is associated with all sorts of fun activities. Find out how the locals spend this season to participate in some of the activities yourself.

Attend a Sports Day Event

Created to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Sports Day takes place on the second Monday of October. Schools and businesses around the country use the public holiday to hold a field day with traditional track-and-field events as well as with more informal games like kibasen (or cavalry fight) and tug of war.

Read a Book Outdoors

Many Japanese people like to make the most of the dry, mild weather by spending more time outdoors in the fall — especially with cooler temperatures of winter being just around the corner. Why not take a book with you next time you visit a local park?

Pick, Roast, and Eat Kuri

Kuri are Japanese chestnuts. By visiting a farm that grows kuri, you can pick your own to roast at home. One option is to combine them with white rice to make yaki-kuri gohan.

Participate in Tsukimi

Tsukimi is a celebration of the autumn full moon that literally means moon-viewing. Occurring in September or October, it lasts for four days, during which time people burn incense at temples, display decorations made from Japanese pampas grass, and eat dango.

Grill Sanma

Sanma is also called the autumn fish because it is particularly abundant during this time of the year. To signify the arrival of the season, a popular activity is to grill sanma over a barbecue.

Take a Trip to See the Autumn Leaves

There’s a name for vibrant colors of the maples and other trees that turn various shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn: koyo. Virtually anywhere in the country has multiple spots to enjoy the fall colors, including in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Kobe.

Indulge in Some Matsutake Mushrooms

If you don’t know better, the price of matsutake mushrooms (often $100 a piece) is likely to put you off buying them. However, these are a special delicacy for the autumn, meaning it’s worth trying them at least once — if it’s within your budget.

Help Out with the Rice Harvest

By participating in a rice harvest, you’ll learn about Japanese farming techniques and feel like part of the community. Search for opportunities near you offered through the local tourism board, booking platforms, or farm stay providers.

Take One Last Camping Trip Before Winter

Camping is a big activity in Japan — but most people agree it’s too cold to stay in a tent in the winter. Autumn is an opportunity for one final camping trip of the year.

Enjoy the Halloween Festivities

Halloween has become much bigger in Japan in recent years. It’s an occasion to dress up and attend parties, including some big festivals, street parties, and events at the two major theme parks.

Calyponte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons