Japan Nara Weather in November — Climate Guide
November in Nara is very good
Nara Weather in November — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 16° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 80mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Nara in November averages a high of 16°C and low of 8°C with 80mm of rain over about 7 days. Foliage season + year's best — daytime 15-17°C, mornings and evenings 7°C, wide daily range. Thin cardigan, trench, knit, long-sleeve combo. Late month needs a light coat + scarf on cold days. Rainfall drops sharply — perfect outdoor-photo conditions. Walking shoes + camera essential for the Nara Park 30-40 min loop + Kasuga forest momiji.
November is very good for Nara.
November is Nara's year-end masterpiece — foliage season at peak, the Shosoin Treasure Exhibition's tail end, the final Tsunokiri ceremony weekends, and a sharp drop in rainfall mean blue skies + warm light + the best photography conditions of the calendar. Average 16°C / 8°C, rainfall 80mm — about half September's volume. Peak foliage in Nara runs full color from November 18 through December 5.
November signatures: Nara Park autumn momiji (the 660-hectare park with approximately 1,800 maple trees scattered across Tobihino field, Sarusawa Pond, and the Kasuga Taisha approach forest), Kasuga Taisha lantern-path autumn walks (the 1.2 km through the protected primeval forest with 3,000 stone lanterns + autumn foliage overhead is uniquely atmospheric), Yoshino-san autumn colors (the 30,000 cherry trees turn red + orange + gold — equally beautiful and far less crowded than the April cherry season), and the Kofuku-ji five-story pagoda + autumn foliage foreground photo identity.
Travel score
Foliage peak + deer-and-momiji photography — Nara's best month
November Weather at a Glance
November averages 61°F / 16°C highs and 46°F / 8°C lows — autumn at its peak. Nara basin sees crisp cold mornings + warm bright afternoons. Rainfall drops sharply to 80mm with mostly clear skies. Foliage peak November 18-December 5. Sunrise 6:25 AM, sunset 4:50 PM.
November Travel Advice
Peak foliage (November 18-December 5) — Nara Park's autumn momiji is dramatically less crowded than Kyoto's Tofuku-ji or Eikando temple gardens with equivalent foliage density. Combine with the deer for a uniquely Nara photo identity. Yoshino-san autumn (60 min south by Kintetsu) is a quieter alternative to the spring cherry blossom pilgrimage — same 4-zone elevation walks with autumn foliage. Book Nara hotels 3-4 months ahead.
Flying In from Overseas
Foliage season draws Asian regional + Western international travelers — Japan's third biggest travel peak of the year after cherry blossoms and Golden Week. Flights from Seoul (2.5h) $400-750, Singapore $500-900, Sydney $700-1,100, San Francisco $900-1,500, London $1,000-1,600. November 1-15 pre-peak window is the value play.
November Pricing Trends
Business hotels $65-115/night, 4-star Hotel Nikko Nara + Daiwa Roynet $150-280/night at foliage peak. Labor Thanksgiving weekend +50%. Nara Hotel 1909 momiji peak $500-1,000/night. USD 1 ≈ JPY 148.
Nara November Weather Stats
Avg High
16°C
Avg Low
8°C
Rainy Days
7
80mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
comfortable
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Sea Temp
18°C
too cold for swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
November Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
14°C
Nighttime
6°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for November
November Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Nara Park autumn momiji peak — Kasuga forest + Kofuku-ji + Tobihino field
- Rainfall drops to 80mm — clear skies + autumn light
- Yoshino-san autumn colors quieter than spring cherry
Cons
- Foliage-season hotels 1.5-2x, flights $400-750
- Labor Thanksgiving (November 23) bumps hotels further
- 8°C daily range — cold mornings and evenings
November Events & Festivals
- Nara Park autumn momiji peak (mid-to-late November)
- Shosoin Treasure Exhibition tail (early-to-mid November)
- Tsunokiri antler-cutting final weekends (early November)
- Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23) — public holiday
Nara in November — Full Picture
November is Nara's year-end masterpiece — foliage season at peak, the Shosoin Treasure Exhibition's tail end, the final Tsunokiri ceremony weekends, and a sharp drop in rainfall mean blue skies + warm light + the best photography conditions of the calendar. Average 16°C / 8°C, rainfall 80mm — about half September's volume. Peak foliage in Nara runs full color from November 18 through December 5.
November signatures: Nara Park autumn momiji (the 660-hectare park with approximately 1,800 maple trees scattered across Tobihino field, Sarusawa Pond, and the Kasuga Taisha approach forest), Kasuga Taisha lantern-path autumn walks (the 1.2 km through the protected primeval forest with 3,000 stone lanterns + autumn foliage overhead is uniquely atmospheric), Yoshino-san autumn colors (the 30,000 cherry trees turn red + orange + gold — equally beautiful and far less crowded than the April cherry season), and the Kofuku-ji five-story pagoda + autumn foliage foreground photo identity.
The price reality: foliage season is Japan's third major travel surge of the year (after cherry blossoms and Golden Week). Hotels jump 1.5-2x, flights run $400-750 from Seoul, and weekend availability tightens dramatically. November 1-15 (pre-peak) is the value window — autumn atmosphere + normal hotel pricing + Shosoin Exhibition still open. November 18-28 is the peak photography window; book hotels 3-4 months ahead.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Foliage season + year's best — daytime 15-17°C, mornings and evenings 7°C, wide daily range. Thin cardigan, trench, knit, long-sleeve combo. Late month needs a light coat + scarf on cold days. Rainfall drops sharply — perfect outdoor-photo conditions. Walking shoes + camera essential for the Nara Park 30-40 min loop + Kasuga forest momiji.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18.3°C
9°C
10/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.3°C
21.7°C
11/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current22°C
13.7°C
9/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
10°C
2°C
5.3/mo
Nara Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9° | 1° | 5d·50mm | 5h | 60% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 2° | 6d·65mm | 6h | 58% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| March (Best) | 13° | 4° | 10d·110mm | 6h | 60% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 19° | 9° | 10d·110mm | 6h | 64% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 14° | 10d·145mm | 7h | 67% | 7 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 26° | 18° | 13d·200mm | 4h | 75% | 8 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 23° | 12d·165mm | 5h | 78% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 8d·130mm | 6h | 75% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 20° | 11d·200mm | 5h | 76% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 22° | 13° | 9d·145mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| November (Best) | 16° | 8° | 7d·80mm | 5h | 65% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| 11° | 3° | 5d·60mm | 5h | 58% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Nara November Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Nara?
Nara in November is very good. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Nara in November?
Nara November averages a high of 16°C and a low of 8°C.
Does it rain much in Nara in November?
Nara November averages 80mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Nara in November?
Foliage season + year's best — daytime 15-17°C, mornings and evenings 7°C, wide daily range. Thin cardigan, trench, knit, long-sleeve combo. Late month needs a light coat + scarf on cold days. Rainfall drops sharply — perfect outdoor-photo conditions. Walking shoes + camera essential for the Nara Park 30-40 min loop + Kasuga forest momiji.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Nara in November?
Nara November sunrise is 06:25 and sunset is 16:50, with 10h 25min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Nara in November?
Nara November air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Nara in November?
In November, Nara is great for Nara Park autumn momiji walks, Kasuga forest lantern + foliage path, Yoshino-san autumn cherry foliage.
Is November peak season in Nara?
Nara November crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Nara
View Other Months
Planning a November trip to Nara?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.