Japan Nara Weather in September — Climate Guide
September in Nara is fair
Nara Weather in September — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 28° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 200mm · 11 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Nara in September averages a high of 28°C and low of 20°C with 200mm of rain over about 11 days. Summer's tail + typhoon season — daytime 26-28°C, evening 19°C, humidity 76%. Short-sleeves + light cardigan (evenings + AC), compact umbrella or rain jacket, waterproof walking shoes, SPF 30-50, hat. Late month brings wider daily range — add a long-sleeve. Tsunokiri deer-antler-cutting ceremony begins late September (first weekends of October normal).
September is fair for Nara.
September is summer's tail and typhoon season's peak. Average 28°C / 20°C, rainfall 200mm — one of the year's wettest months — and 11 rainy days. One to three typhoons typically track between Japan and the Korean peninsula in September, meaning at least 1-2 days of itinerary disruption is realistic. Direct KIX flights face occasional cancellations within 24-48 hours of typhoon passage.
September signatures: pre-autumn Nara Park scenery, Tsukimi Moon-Viewing at Kofuku-ji + Kasuga Taisha (mid-to-late September evenings — the canonical Japanese harvest moon viewing tradition at the city's most iconic temples), Naramachi autumn dessert menus (Yoshino-honkuzu chilled jelly + persimmon-themed wagashi), the Heijo Palace Site Autumn Festival (10-day reconstruction events at the 132-hectare 710 AD imperial capital reconstruction), and the start of the Tsunokiri deer-antler-cutting ceremony at Kasuga Taisha forest (late September + early October weekends). Late September brings cooler evenings + early autumn atmosphere — arguably the most photogenic late-summer window for Nara.
Travel score
Summer ends + typhoon peak — September 5-20 is the value window
September Weather at a Glance
September averages 82°F / 28°C highs and 68°F / 20°C lows — late summer transitioning. Nara basin remains vulnerable to typhoon track passage. 200mm rainfall is among the year's wettest. Late month brings widening daily range and pre-autumn light. Sunrise 5:30 AM, sunset 6:10 PM.
September Travel Advice
Check airline typhoon policies before booking — ANA, JAL, and major international carriers offer free rebooking 24-48 hours before typhoon arrival. Build flexible itineraries: assume 1-2 disruption days. September 5-20 sidesteps the Mid-Autumn Moon holiday weekend and the back end of typhoon clusters. The Tsunokiri ceremony at Kasuga Taisha forest (late September + October weekends) is the canonical autumn deer-cultural event — book the $7 entry weeks ahead.
Flying In from Overseas
Asian holiday weekend (Mid-Autumn Festival) shifts dates by lunar calendar and bumps flights $50-150 during that window. Otherwise September is global low-season — flights from Seoul (2.5h) $300-550, Singapore $400-700, Sydney $700-1,100, San Francisco $900-1,400, London $900-1,400.
September Pricing Trends
Business hotels $55-90/night (typical week), 4-star $115-200/night. Mid-Autumn Moon weekend +30-50%. Tsunokiri ceremony $7. USD 1 ≈ JPY 148.
Nara September Weather Stats
Avg High
28°C
Avg Low
20°C
Rainy Days
11
200mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
76%
humid
UV Index
7
High
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
25°C
swimming possible
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
September Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
21 μg/m³
PM10
36 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
30°C
Nighttime
21°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for September
September Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heat breaks compared to August + hotels normalize
- September 5-20 is the value window
- Tsukimi Moon-Viewing at Kofuku-ji + Tsunokiri ceremony begins
Cons
- Typhoon season peak — 200mm rainfall, itinerary flexibility required
- Mid-Autumn Moon weekend bumps flights up
- Humidity 76% still sticky
September Events & Festivals
- Typhoon season peak — flexible itineraries essential
- Tsukimi (Mid-Autumn Moon Viewing, mid-to-late September) — moonlit Kofuku-ji + Kasuga Taisha
- Tsunokiri antler-cutting ceremony begins (late September weekends)
- Heijo Palace Site Autumn Festival
Nara in September — Full Picture
September is summer's tail and typhoon season's peak. Average 28°C / 20°C, rainfall 200mm — one of the year's wettest months — and 11 rainy days. One to three typhoons typically track between Japan and the Korean peninsula in September, meaning at least 1-2 days of itinerary disruption is realistic. Direct KIX flights face occasional cancellations within 24-48 hours of typhoon passage.
September signatures: pre-autumn Nara Park scenery, Tsukimi Moon-Viewing at Kofuku-ji + Kasuga Taisha (mid-to-late September evenings — the canonical Japanese harvest moon viewing tradition at the city's most iconic temples), Naramachi autumn dessert menus (Yoshino-honkuzu chilled jelly + persimmon-themed wagashi), the Heijo Palace Site Autumn Festival (10-day reconstruction events at the 132-hectare 710 AD imperial capital reconstruction), and the start of the Tsunokiri deer-antler-cutting ceremony at Kasuga Taisha forest (late September + early October weekends). Late September brings cooler evenings + early autumn atmosphere — arguably the most photogenic late-summer window for Nara.
The trade-off works in travelers' favor: hotels drop 30-40% from the August Obon highs. Flights from Seoul are $300-550. The September 5-20 window combines lower humidity + post-Obon pricing + first hints of autumn + Tsukimi viewing. Travel insurance with cancellation coverage + checking your airline's typhoon rebooking policy is essential before booking.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Summer's tail + typhoon season — daytime 26-28°C, evening 19°C, humidity 76%. Short-sleeves + light cardigan (evenings + AC), compact umbrella or rain jacket, waterproof walking shoes, SPF 30-50, hat. Late month brings wider daily range — add a long-sleeve. Tsunokiri deer-antler-cutting ceremony begins late September (first weekends of October normal).
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 September Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September a good time to visit Nara?
Nara in September is fair. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Nara in September?
Nara September averages a high of 28°C and a low of 20°C.
Does it rain much in Nara in September?
Nara September averages 200mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Nara in September?
Summer's tail + typhoon season — daytime 26-28°C, evening 19°C, humidity 76%. Short-sleeves + light cardigan (evenings + AC), compact umbrella or rain jacket, waterproof walking shoes, SPF 30-50, hat. Late month brings wider daily range — add a long-sleeve. Tsunokiri deer-antler-cutting ceremony begins late September (first weekends of October normal).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Nara in September?
Nara September sunrise is 05:30 and sunset is 18:10, with 12h 40min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Nara in September?
Nara September air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 21μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Nara in September?
In September, Nara is great for Tsukimi at Kofuku-ji five-story pagoda, Tsunokiri antler-cutting ceremony, Heijo Palace Site Autumn Festival.
Is September peak season in Nara?
Nara September crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Nara
View Other Months
Planning a September trip to Nara?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.