In October, the autumn leaves gradually spread from the tops in the mountainous areas of Nagano Prefecture. In major cities such as Nagano City and Matsumoto City, located in the basins, the leaves have not yet begun to change color, but the temperatures start to drop and it becomes more like autumn. With many sunny days, October is definitely a good month for sightseeing.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Nagano Prefecture’s climate (year-round)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Weather in Nagano Pref. in early October
- Weather in Nagano Pref. in mid-October
- Weather in Nagano Pref. in late October
- Reference: Current weather and temperature in Nagano, forecast for the next 7 days
- Monthly weather in Nagano Pref.
- Weather in tourist destinations around Japan
Overview of Nagano Prefecture’s climate (year-round)
A view of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, overlooking the Northern Alps in late October = Shutterstock
In Nagano prefecture, there is a big difference in climate depending on the location such as mountainous areas and basins. So, first, let’s get an overview of the climate of Nagano prefecture throughout the year.
Mountainous areas are cold and snowy
In Nagano prefecture in the central region of Honshu, mountainous areas (Japanese Alps) with an altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 m are connected from north to south, and major cities such as Nagano City and Matsumoto City are located in the basin. Mountainous areas such as Hakuba, Kamikochi, and Shiga Kogen are cold and ideal as summer resorts, but in winter it is very cold and it snows a lot.
Basins have relatively little snow
On the other hand, in Nagano City, Matsumoto City, Suwa City, Iida City, etc., which are located in the basin, the maximum temperature is as high as in Tokyo during the daytime in summer, but it is cool in the morning and evening. It doesn’t snow as much as in the mountains in winter, but it’s colder than in Tokyo and Osaka.
Karuizawa does not get much snow in winter
Karuizawa, an hour away from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, is a popular highland resort area as a summer resort. However, Karuizawa has much less snow than Hakuba and Shiga Kogen. The entire area of Nagano has less rainfall than other areas such as Tokyo. The cherry blossoms bloom a little later than in Tokyo and after early April.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear in Nagano Prefecture in October?
Although it can still be relatively hot in the first half of October, basically fall clothing is fine. A jacket such as a cardigan is a must. Compared to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc., it is colder in Nagano Prefecture. Especially in mountainous areas and highlands such as Kamikochi, Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Karuizawa, etc., you may need a coat or jumper in the second half of October. For more information on autumn clothing, please refer to the articles below.
Can we see autumn leaves in Nagano in October?
The best time to see the autumn leaves in Nagano Prefecture is in November. However, in the mountainous areas and highlands, the fall foliage begins in late September, and there are many places where you can enjoy beautiful autumn foliage in October.
Weather in Nagano Pref. in early October
In early October, autumn leaves gradually spread around Happoike Pond on a plateau overlooking Mt. Shirouma, Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.=Shutterstock
| Average temperature Highest temperature (Lowest temperature) |
Total precipitation (Total snowfall depth) |
|
| Nagano City | 16.9℃ (62.4°F) 21.9℃ (71.4°F) 13.0 ℃ (55.4°F) |
35.8 mm (1.41 inch) – |
| Matsumoto | 16.3℃ (61.3°F) 21.9℃ (71.4°F) 11.9 ℃ (53.4°F) |
47.9 (1.89 inch) – |
| Hakuba | 14.2 ℃ (57.6°F) 19.6℃ (67.3°F) 10.2 ℃ (50.4°F) |
51.3 mm (2.02 inch) – |
| Karuizawa | 12.7℃ (54.9°F) 18.0℃ (64.4°F) 8.9 ℃ (48.0°F) |
56.4 mm (2.22 inch) – |
※ Source: All figures are the average for 30 years of 1991-2020 announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency
>> Click here for a [quick reference] converted from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
Weather in Nagano Pref. in mid-October
October 20, 2019: Kamikochi, mount Hotaka and Azusa River with tourist in an early autumn season that colors are starting changed, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan = Shutterstock
| Average temperature Highest temperature (Lowest temperature) |
Total precipitation (Total snowfall depth) |
|
| Nagano City | 14.5℃ (58.1°F) 19.9℃ (67.8°F) 10.3 ℃ (50.5°F) |
32.8 mm (1.29 inch) – |
| Matsumoto | 14.0℃ (57.2°F) 26.4℃ (79.5°F) 20.0 ℃ (68.0°F) |
38.9 mm (1.53 inch) – |
| Hakuba | 11.9 ℃ (53.4°F) 18.0℃ (64.4°F) 7.2 ℃ (45.0°F) |
40.0 mm (1.57 inch) – |
| Karuizawa | 10.6 ℃ (51.1°F) 16.4℃ (61.5°F) 6.2 ℃ (43.2°F) |
49.7 mm (1.96 inch) – |
※Source: All figures are the average for 30 years of 1991-2020 announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency
Weather in Nagano Pref. in late October
Group of traveler standing on bridge and take photo of autumn scenery at kamikochi, Nagano, Japan. This photo toke at last October 2018 = Shutterstock
NAGANO, JAPAN – OCTOBER 24, 2018 : Aerial view of Zenkoji Temple is landmark tourist attraction in Nagano city = Shutterstock
Chino, Nagano prefecture, Japan – October 22, 2017: On the grounds of Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya, one of the four shrines in Suwa Grand Shrine complex = Shutterstock
| Average temperature Highest temperature (Lowest temperature) |
Total precipitation (Total snowfall depth) |
|
| Nagano City | 12.2℃ (54.0°F) 17.6℃ (63.7°F) 7.8 ℃ (46.0°F) |
31.8 mm (1.25 inch) – |
| Matsumoto | 11.5 ℃ (52.7°F) 17.7℃ (63.9°F) 6.7 ℃ (44.1°F) |
41.5 mm (1.63 inch) – |
| Hakuba | 9.6 ℃ (49.3°F) 15.7℃ (60.3°F) 4.9 ℃ (40.8°F) |
44.8 mm (1.76 inch) – |
| Karuizawa | 8.5℃ (47.3°F) 14.5℃ (58.1°F) 3.9 ℃ (39.0°F) |
45.0 mm (1.77 inch) – |
※ Source: All figures are the average for 30 years of 1991-2020 announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency
Reference: Current weather and temperature in Nagano, forecast for the next 7 days
Monthly weather in Nagano Pref.
Below are articles about the weather in Nagano Prefecture. Click on the month of interest to see articles about that month.
| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July | August | September |
| October | November | December |
Weather in tourist destinations around Japan
Below are pages showing the climates of various regions in Japan at the same time of the year.
| Tokyo | Osaka | Kyoto |
| Hokkaido | Sendai | Nagano |
| Nagoya | Hiroshima | Fukuoka |
| Okinawa |
Now, let’s plan to make your vacation in Japan the best experience ever!
