Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Japan cruises in November
Kōyō, the autumn color, peaks in Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo from mid-to-late November into early December, with temples such as Tōfuku-ji and Eikan-dō glowing red and very crowded. Days are crisp and clear, near 60°F (16°C). On Shichi-Go-San, around November 15, families bring children in kimono to shrines.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 63°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Japan in November: Best time to go
Kōyō, the autumn color, peaks in Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo from mid-to-late November into early December, with temples such as Tōfuku-ji and Eikan-dō glowing red and very crowded. Days are crisp and clear, near 60°F (16°C). On Shichi-Go-San, around November 15, families bring children in kimono to shrines.
Across Japan cruise ports, November brings average highs around 63°F (17°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 4.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter
- Average high / low
- 63°F / 52°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 to 14 nights, usually round trip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Kobe or Osaka
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How November compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Japan weather in November
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 499 | 5010 | 5714 | 6518 | 7323 | 7825 | 8429 | 8630 | 8127 | 7222 | 6317 | 5312 |
| Low °F (°C) | 394 | 394 | 457 | 5211 | 6015 | 6719 | 7424 | 7725 | 7122 | 6116 | 5211 | 436 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.486 | 3.280 | 4.7119 | 5.6143 | 6.6167 | 10.3261 | 9.9252 | 9.0228 | 8.6219 | 5.8147 | 4.2106 | 3.793 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
November weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (Yokohama) | 64°F | 47°F | 3.9 in | 10 h |
| Kobe | 64°F | 55°F | 3.3 in | 10 h |
| Osaka | 64°F | 48°F | 3.9 in | 10 h |
| Hiroshima | 64°F | 46°F | 3.2 in | 10 h |
| Nagasaki | 66°F | 59°F | 4.4 in | 10 h |
| Shimizu (for Mount Fuji) | 66°F | 57°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| Kagoshima | 69°F | 57°F | 4.7 in | 11 h |
| Hakodate | 49°F | 40°F | 4.8 in | 10 h |
| Otaru | 46°F | 34°F | 5.2 in | 10 h |
| Kanazawa | 61°F | 48°F | 6.1 in | 10 h |
| Aomori | 52°F | 42°F | 5.8 in | 10 h |
| Naha, Okinawa | 77°F | 74°F | 3.3 in | 11 h |
| Fukuoka (Hakata) | 65°F | 49°F | 3.5 in | 10 h |
| Busan | 63°F | 57°F | 1.9 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in November
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in November
- Galápagos Islands in November
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in November
- Australia & New Zealand in November
- Africa & the Indian Ocean in November
- Transatlantic in November
- Nile River in November
- Mekong River in November
See every destination for November, with a port weather map →
Japan in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to cruise Japan?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Kōyō, the autumn color, peaks in Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo from mid-to-late November into early December, with temples such as Tōfuku-ji and Eikan-dō glowing red and very crowded. Days are crisp and clear, near 60°F (16°C). On Shichi-Go-San, around November 15, families bring children in kimono to shrines.
What is the weather like on a Japan cruise in November?
Across Japan cruise ports, November brings average highs around 63°F (17°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 4.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Japan cruise in November?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Japan?
Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter. The best months are usually March, April, May, October, November.
Where else can I cruise in November?
November is also a top month for Mexican Riviera & Baja, Galápagos Islands, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Australia & New Zealand, Africa & the Indian Ocean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.