September in Tokyo is a mix of lingering heat, festival flair, and the city’s slow shift toward autumn. Early in the month, you’ll still feel the summer buzz—think beer gardens and fireworks. By mid-month, the air cools, gardens bloom with early autumn flowers, and Tokyo’s cultural calendar fills with expos and tournaments. Bring an umbrella (typhoon season!) and snag tickets early for big events like sumo and the Tokyo Game Show.
Tokyo in September 2025 at a glance
🌧️Weather
Highs around 28°C / 82°F; humid early, cooler late with typhoon risk.
☀️Daylight
~12.5 hrs; sunrise ~5:25am, sunset ~5:55pm.
🎉Key events
Autumn Sumo Tournament, Tokyo Game Show, seasonal shrine festivals.
👥Crowds
Medium; quieter than summer but busy during event weekends.
Sanma (grilled Pacific saury), kuri-gohan (chestnut rice), early matsutake mushrooms.
Top things to do in Tokyo in September
Watch sumo live at Ryōgoku Kokugikan
When: Mid-September
Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
Catch Japan’s top sumo wrestlers at the Autumn Grand Tournament. Book reserved seats early or try day-of tickets. Matches run all day, but top bouts begin around 3pm.
This classic Edo-period stroll garden starts showing autumn charm. Less crowded than peak foliage season. Go late afternoon for golden-hour light.
Visit the Tokyo Game Show
When: Late September (public days usually Sat–Sun)
Tags: Festival, Tour, Indoors
Gaming’s biggest Japan event features demos, cosplay, and eSports. Held at Makuhari Messe. Book tickets and nearby lodging early.
Ride a Sumida River yakatabune cruise
When: Early September evenings
Tags: Outdoors, Explorer
These lantern-lit dinner boats offer breezy escapes from the lingering heat. Book ahead for weekend slots. Sunset views of Tokyo Skytree included.
Recommended experiences:
Yakatabune Cruise with Japanese Show & Drinks in Tokyo
Traditional Japanese Yakatabune Dinner Cruise in Tokyo
Browse Nezu Museum & garden
When: Any day
Tags: Cultural experience, Indoors
Calm refuge with Japanese antiques and a serene mossy garden. Air-conditioned galleries and shady paths make it ideal for warm days.
Try seasonal grilled sanma
When: Mid-September onward
Tags: Food, Seasonal
Pacific saury is autumn’s signature fish. Grilled whole and served with daikon. Look for izakayas and street vendors offering sanma specials.
Walk the backstreets of Kagurazaka
When: Weekdays
Tags: Explorer, Cultural experience
This hillside district blends French bistros, geisha alleys, and indie bookstores. Explore stone alleys early evening before dinner crowds arrive.
Offbeat experiences in September
See spider lilies at Kinchakuda
Saffron-colored fields in bloom Every September, Kinchakuda Park erupts with red spider lilies. It's a surreal landscape and perfect for photos. Avoid weekends for fewer crowds. 📍Where: Hidaka City, ~90 min by train from Tokyo
Shop Tokyo Game Show indie booths
Meet Japan’s indie game scene Beyond major developers, TGS showcases innovative indie creators. Hunt for unreleased games and quirky merch at the indie corner. 📍Where: Makuhari Messe, Chiba
Visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum
Time-travel architecture walk Roam real historical buildings relocated to this park-like museum. Great in September’s mild weather. 📍Where: Koganei Park, western Tokyo
Catch a late-summer rooftop beer garden
Sip under city lights Many close by mid-September. Try department store rooftops in Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. Book ahead on Fridays. 📍Where: Tokyo Plaza rooftops, various locations
Explore Yanaka Ginza at twilight
Old Tokyo with a golden glow This low-rise shopping street is full of charm. Go just before dusk when lights flicker on and locals stroll with cats. 📍Where: Yanaka neighborhood, near Nippori Station
Bring a compact umbrella. Afternoon showers are common even without a storm.
Trains are less crowded than summer, but still pack Suica/Pasmo cards for ease.
Many museums switch exhibits in September—good time for fresh content.
Use coin lockers at stations during events or day trips to travel light.
Early morning and twilight are the best times for gardens or shrines (better light, cooler air).
Sanma is only in season for a few weeks; ask locals where they go.
Tokyo Game Show crowds surge around noon—arrive right at opening.
Stay hydrated. Vending machines with cold drinks are on nearly every corner.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Tokyo in September
Yes—early September remains humid and warm, often over 28 °C / 82 °F. It cools slightly by mid-month.
Yes. September is peak typhoon season. Always check forecasts and have indoor backups.
Weekend seats sell out fast. Buy online early or line up for day-of tickets on weekdays.
Yes, but weather can obscure views. Late September offers clearer skies than early.
Cards are accepted widely, but carry yen for street food, shrines, and transit.
Light summer wear plus a light jacket or cardigan. Waterproof shoes help with rain.
Yes! Gardens like Rikugien begin showing early fall color. Still green, but less crowded.
If you enjoy games or cosplay, absolutely. It’s the biggest gaming event in Japan.
Some services pause or delay. JR East posts updates online and at stations.
Less so than summer. Great time to visit with new seasonal exhibitions and fewer tour groups.
What to eat in Tokyo in September: Seasonal delicacies
1/5
Sanma Shioyaki (grilled Pacific saury)
Sanma arrives fresh in early autumn. Char-grilled with a squeeze of lemon and grated daikon. Where to eat: Toriyoshi, various branches
Kuri Gohan (chestnut rice)
Chestnuts cooked in lightly salted rice mark the season’s start. Comforting and nutty. Where to eat: Aoyama Esaki, Minato
Matsutake dobin-mushi
Matsutake mushrooms steamed in a clay teapot with seafood broth. Earthy and fragrant. Where to eat: Mikawa Zezankyo, Koto
Tsukimi Dango
Moon-viewing dumplings appear in September for Tsukimi. Often offered with sweet soy or anko (red bean). Where to eat: Isetan depachika food hall, Shinjuku
Kyoho Grapes
Large, juicy and only available for a short window. Peel-and-pop sweetness. Where to eat: Fruit stalls in Ameyoko Market, Ueno
