September in Japan always feels like a deep, relieving exhale after the intense heat and humidity of summer. By 2026, the timing couldn’t be better — the weather is milder (averages 20–27 °C / 68–81 °F most days), typhoon risk starts to drop toward the end of the month, and the country will host its biggest sporting event in years: the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Add Tokyo Game Show expanding to five days, one of Japan’s most energetic traditional festivals, and a dreamy long weekend, and you have a month that perfectly balances high-energy spectacle with the serene side of Japanese autumn.
If you’re planning a trip, book flights and hotels early — especially around Nagoya — because 2026 will be busy.
The Main Event: The 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026
From September 19 to October 4, central Japan will host the Asian Games for the first time since Bangkok 1998 (and only the third time in history). Around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions will compete in 40+ sports across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, with some events spilling into Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Osaka.
One of the striking new venues being built for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
Japanese opinions are cautiously optimistic. In the Chubu region people are genuinely excited — the Games are seen as a chance to put Nagoya on the global map and boost the local economy after years in Osaka and Tokyo’s shadow. Nationally, awareness was still relatively low a year out (organisers admitted they needed to “raise the buzz”), partly because of lingering fatigue from the Tokyo 2020 cost overruns and scandals. By autumn 2026, though, most locals expect pride to take over — the same way it eventually did with the Olympics. Many Japanese simply love watching Asia’s best athletes compete on home soil, and the inclusion of cricket, kabaddi, and esports resonates with younger crowds.
Tokyo Game Show 2026 – Now Bigger Than Ever
From September 17–21 (Thursday to Monday, taking advantage of the Respect for the Aged Day holiday), Tokyo Game Show stretches to five full days for the first time in its history. Held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, TGS is the world’s biggest consumer gaming event, and 2026 will be packed.
The halls of Makuhari Messe during Tokyo Game Show – expect even bigger crowds in 2026
Japanese gamers treat it like a national holiday. Cosplayers, indie developers, and industry giants all show up, and the excitement is infectious. If you’ve never been, the energy is electric — think Comic-Con but almost entirely focused on games.
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri – Pure Adrenaline in Osaka
One of Japan’s wildest festivals takes place in Kishiwada, just south of Osaka. In 2026 the main days will be September 19–20 (Saturday and Sunday), coinciding with the Asian Games opening weekend.
Teams of men (sometimes hundreds per float) sprint four-ton wooden danjiri carts at full speed through narrow streets, spinning them 90 degrees on corners in a display of raw power and precision. It’s loud, chaotic, and occasionally dangerous — accidents do happen — but for the local community it’s the ultimate expression of neighbourhood pride and centuries-old tradition. Visitors are welcome (and enthusiastically cheered), but Japanese spectators often say “it’s not about watching, it’s about feeling the ground shake under your feet.”
September Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo
The Aki Basho runs September 13–27 September at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Morning sessions are surprisingly relaxed and tourist-friendly; you can often buy same-day tickets and sit close to the ring. Locals love that foreigners are discovering sumo’s depth — the rituals, the tension, the sudden bursts of power — and many stables now welcome overseas visitors for morning practice sessions too.
Silver Week Lite & Tsukimi Moon-Viewing
2026 gives travellers a lovely long weekend:
- September 21 (Mon) – Respect for the Aged Day
- September 22 (Tue) – Bridge public holiday
- September 23 (Wed) – Autumn Equinox Day
That’s five days off for most Japanese workers, so expect domestic travel to spike. It’s also tsukimi season — families and friends gather to admire the full harvest moon, eat dango, and decorate with pampas grass.
A traditional tsukimi display with moon-shaped dango and susuki grass
Many temples and gardens hold evening moon-viewing events with matcha and wagashi; they’re peaceful and deeply atmospheric.
Frequently Asked Questions About Japan in September 2026
1. Will the Asian Games make Nagoya impossible to visit?
Not at all. The city has been preparing for years and has good transport links. Just book accommodation early (especially 18–21 September). Day trips from Tokyo are easy via shinkansen (about 1 h 40 min).
2. Is September still typhoon season?
Yes, but the risk peaks in August and drops in late September. Most typhoons pass quickly, and Japan’s infrastructure handles them extremely well. Always have the Japan Meteorological Agency app or Yahoo Weather handy.
3. How do I get tickets for the Asian Games or Tokyo Game Show?
Both use lottery systems first, then general sales. For the Asian Games, the official site (aichi-nagoya2026.org) will open registration in early 2026. TGS tickets go on sale around June/July and sell out fast for weekend days.
4. Where can I see early autumn colours in September?
Head north — Hokkaido (Daisetsuzan National Park) starts turning in mid-September, and higher mountains around Nagano or Nikko can show colour by late month. The Kanto and Kansai plains stay green until October.
September 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months Japan has seen in years. You’ll get world-class sport, cutting-edge gaming culture, heart-pounding traditional festivals, and the first gentle hints of autumn — all without the crushing crowds of cherry-blossom or koyo peak season. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to visit, this might just be it.
