{"id":2173,"date":"2026-10-10T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bunpo.app\/blog\/?p=2173"},"modified":"2026-09-25T01:27:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T01:27:11","slug":"autumn-in-japan-seasonal-traditions-and-japanese-words-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bunpo.app\/blog\/japanese\/autumn-in-japan-seasonal-traditions-and-japanese-words-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Autumn in Japan: Seasonal Traditions and Japanese Words to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Autumn in Japan is more than just cooler weather and changing leaves.<\/p>\n\n

\n From October into November, parks turn red and gold, schools hold sports events,\n local festivals fill the streets, and seasonal foods start appearing everywhere.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n It is also a great time to learn a few Japanese words that are closely connected\n with the season.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Here are some of the sights, events, and expressions that make autumn in Japan special.\n <\/p>\n\n

1. K\u014dy\u014d \u2014 Autumn Leaves<\/h2>\n\n

\n One of the biggest signs of autumn in Japan is\n \u7d05\u8449 (k\u014dy\u014d)<\/strong>, meaning \u201cautumn leaves\u201d or \u201cfall colors.\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

\n As temperatures drop, mountains, parks, and temple gardens gradually turn red,\n orange, and yellow. Many people take day trips specifically to enjoy the scenery.\n <\/p>\n\n

Another useful word is:<\/p>\n\n

\n \u7d05\u8449\u72e9\u308a (momijigari)<\/strong> \u2014 going to see autumn leaves\n <\/p>\n\n

\n The word gari<\/em> usually means \u201chunting,\u201d but nobody is actually hunting leaves.\n It refers to going out to admire the seasonal colors.\n <\/p>\n\n

You might hear:<\/p>\n\n

\n \u7d05\u8449\u304c\u304d\u308c\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002<\/strong>
\n K\u014dy\u014d ga kirei desu ne.<\/em>
\n \u201cThe autumn leaves are beautiful, aren\u2019t they?\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

\n It is one of the easiest seasonal phrases to use while traveling in Japan.\n <\/p>\n\n

2. Und\u014dkai \u2014 School Sports Day<\/h2>\n\n

\n Another familiar autumn scene is \u904b\u52d5\u4f1a (und\u014dkai)<\/strong>, or sports day.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Schools often organize a full day of races, team competitions, relays, and other\n activities. Parents may come to watch, and students are usually divided into teams.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n A closely related national holiday is \u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u306e\u65e5 (Sup\u014dtsu no Hi)<\/strong>,\n or Sports Day, which is celebrated in October.\n <\/p>\n\n

Useful words include:<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • \u904b\u52d5\u4f1a (und\u014dkai)<\/strong> \u2014 sports day<\/li>\n
  • \u30ea\u30ec\u30fc (rir\u0113)<\/strong> \u2014 relay race<\/li>\n
  • \u5fdc\u63f4 (\u014den)<\/strong> \u2014 cheering or supporting<\/li>\n
  • \u30c1\u30fc\u30e0 (ch\u012bmu)<\/strong> \u2014 team<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n

    You may hear students shout:<\/p>\n\n

    \n \u304c\u3093\u3070\u308c\uff01<\/strong>
    \n Ganbare!<\/em>
    \n \u201cGo!\u201d \/ \u201cDo your best!\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

    \n It is a very common expression of encouragement in Japanese.\n <\/p>\n\n

    3. Aki Matsuri \u2014 Autumn Festivals<\/h2>\n\n

    \n Spring and summer are famous for festivals, but autumn has plenty of them too.\n <\/p>\n\n

    \n \u79cb\u796d\u308a (aki matsuri)<\/strong> means \u201cautumn festival.\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

    \n Traditionally, many autumn festivals are connected with giving thanks for the harvest.\n Depending on the region, you may see portable shrines, drums, parades, food stalls,\n or traditional performances.\n <\/p>\n\n

    A few useful festival words are:<\/p>\n\n

      \n
    • \u796d\u308a (matsuri)<\/strong> \u2014 festival<\/li>\n
    • \u795e\u8f3f (mikoshi)<\/strong> \u2014 portable shrine<\/li>\n
    • \u5c4b\u53f0 (yatai)<\/strong> \u2014 food stall or festival stall<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n

      If you visit one, you might say:<\/p>\n\n

      \n \u304a\u796d\u308a\u3001\u306b\u304e\u3084\u304b\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002<\/strong>
      \n Omatsuri, nigiyaka desu ne.<\/em>
      \n \u201cThe festival is lively, isn\u2019t it?\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

      4. Shokuyoku no Aki \u2014 \u201cAutumn Is the Season for Eating\u201d<\/h2>\n\n

      \n Japan has several expressions describing the pleasures of autumn. One of the most\n popular is:\n <\/p>\n\n

      \n \u98df\u6b32\u306e\u79cb (shokuyoku no aki)<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n\n

      \n It literally means \u201cautumn of appetite,\u201d or more naturally,\n \u201cautumn is the season for eating.\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

      \n The phrase makes sense when you look at the foods associated with the season.\n <\/p>\n\n

      Autumn specialties include:<\/p>\n\n

        \n
      • \u6817 (kuri)<\/strong> \u2014 chestnuts<\/li>\n
      • \u3055\u3064\u307e\u3044\u3082 (satsumaimo)<\/strong> \u2014 sweet potatoes<\/li>\n
      • \u67ff (kaki)<\/strong> \u2014 persimmons<\/li>\n
      • \u304d\u306e\u3053 (kinoko)<\/strong> \u2014 mushrooms<\/li>\n
      • \u3055\u3093\u307e (sanma)<\/strong> \u2014 Pacific saury<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n

        \n Seasonal menus and sweets featuring chestnuts or sweet potatoes are especially\n easy to find at this time of year.\n <\/p>\n\n

        Another word you may see is:<\/p>\n\n

        \n \u65ec (shun)<\/strong> \u2014 the best or peak season for a food\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n Eating ingredients at their shun<\/em> is an important idea in Japanese food culture.\n <\/p>\n\n

        5. Dokusho no Aki \u2014 Autumn Is for Reading<\/h2>\n\n

        \n Food is not the only thing associated with autumn.\n <\/p>\n\n

        You may also hear:<\/p>\n\n

        \n \u8aad\u66f8\u306e\u79cb (dokusho no aki)<\/strong> \u2014 \u201cautumn is the season for reading\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n Cooler temperatures and longer evenings have helped create an image of autumn\n as a good time to slow down and enjoy a book.\n <\/p>\n\n

        Similarly, there is:<\/p>\n\n

        \n \u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u306e\u79cb (sup\u014dtsu no aki)<\/strong> \u2014 \u201cautumn is the season for sports\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n These expressions show how strongly the season is connected with particular\n activities in Japan.\n <\/p>\n\n

        You can even make your own playful version:<\/p>\n\n

        \n \u52c9\u5f37\u306e\u79cb (benky\u014d no aki)<\/strong> \u2014 \u201cautumn is the season for studying\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n For language learners, that one may be particularly useful.\n <\/p>\n\n

        6. Shichi-Go-San \u2014 A November Tradition for Children<\/h2>\n\n

        \n November also brings \u4e03\u4e94\u4e09 (Shichi-Go-San)<\/strong>, a traditional celebration\n for children.\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n The name literally means \u201cseven-five-three.\u201d Families celebrate children at certain\n ages and may visit a Shinto shrine to pray for their health and growth.\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n Children often wear formal clothing, including kimono, so in November you may see\n beautifully dressed families around shrines.\n <\/p>\n\n

        A sweet associated with the occasion is:<\/p>\n\n

        \n \u5343\u6b73\u98f4 (chitose ame)<\/strong> \u2014 \u201cthousand-year candy\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n The long candy symbolizes wishes for a long and healthy life.\n <\/p>\n\n

        7. Aki \u2014 A Simple Word You Will Hear Everywhere<\/h2>\n\n

        \n Finally, the most useful autumn word of all:\n <\/p>\n\n

        \n \u79cb (aki)<\/strong> \u2014 autumn\n <\/p>\n\n

        You can combine it with many other words:<\/p>\n\n

          \n
        • \u79cb\u7a7a (akizora)<\/strong> \u2014 autumn sky<\/li>\n
        • \u79cb\u98a8 (akikaze)<\/strong> \u2014 autumn breeze<\/li>\n
        • \u79cb\u6674\u308c (akibare)<\/strong> \u2014 clear, pleasant autumn weather<\/li>\n
        • \u79cb\u796d\u308a (aki matsuri)<\/strong> \u2014 autumn festival<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n

          A simple sentence to remember is:<\/p>\n\n

          \n \u79cb\u304c\u4e00\u756a\u597d\u304d\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/strong>
          \n Aki ga ichiban suki desu.<\/em>
          \n \u201cAutumn is my favorite season.\u201d\n <\/p>\n\n

          Enjoying Autumn in Japan<\/h2>\n\n

          \n Japanese autumn has its own rhythm.\n <\/p>\n\n

          \n October brings sports events, festivals, and the first signs of changing leaves.\n As November arrives, the colors deepen, seasonal foods fill shops and restaurants,\n and traditions such as Shichi-Go-San become part of the scenery.\n <\/p>\n\n

          \n Learning words such as k\u014dy\u014d<\/strong>, momijigari<\/strong>,\n und\u014dkai<\/strong>, and shokuyoku no aki<\/strong> can help you understand\n more than vocabulary. They also reveal how people in Japan experience the season.\n <\/p>\n\n

          \n So if you find yourself in Japan this autumn, look beyond the red leaves.\n Listen to the words around you too \u2014 they are part of the season.\n <\/p>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Autumn in Japan is more than just cooler weather and changing leaves. From October into November, parks turn red and gold, schools hold sports events, local festivals fill the streets, and seasonal foods start appearing everywhere. It is also a great time to learn a few Japanese words that are closely connected with the season. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japanese"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t