Autumn food in Japan is a celebration of the seasons, enjoyed not only in the scenery but also at the table. Autumn is perhaps the most delicious of them all—a time when markets and restaurants brim with earthy flavors, warm sweets, and comforting dishes that signal the year’s harvest. If you’re visiting Japan in September or October 2025, you’ll find chestnuts, persimmons, sweet potatoes, and even the prized matsutake mushroom shaping menus across the country.
Whether you’re wandering through Kyoto’s tea houses, exploring Tokyo’s buzzing food districts, or stopping at rural markets on a countryside drive, autumn foods offer a taste of Japan’s seasonal spirit. Here’s what to look out for—and where you might enjoy them.
5 Delicious Autumn Food in Japan to Try
Matsutake Mushrooms: Japan’s Most Prized Autumn Flavor
Matsutake mushrooms are the undisputed stars of autumn in Japan. With their rich, pine-like aroma, they’re considered a delicacy and are often served grilled, steamed with rice, or in clear broths to highlight their fragrance.
Where to Try:
Kyoto kaiseki restaurants often feature matsutake in seasonal courses.
Nagano and Gifu, where the mushrooms are foraged, have specialty markets selling fresh matsutake in September and October.
Private transfers make it easier to visit countryside areas where matsutake hunting traditions run deep—and perhaps even enjoy a farm-to-table meal.
Chestnuts (Kuri): Sweet and Comforting
No Japanese autumn feels complete without chestnuts. From simple roasted kuri to elegant wagashi (traditional sweets) filled with chestnut paste, they are everywhere once September rolls around. Modern bakeries transform them into Mont Blanc cakes, while rural shops sell kuri manju (chestnut-filled buns).
Where to Try:
Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, where wagashi stalls offer seasonal chestnut treats.
Nagoya’s cafés, known for layered Mont Blanc parfaits.
Pairing a market stroll with a private driver gives you the freedom to taste your way through multiple stops.
Persimmons (Kaki): A Symbol of Autumn
From deep orange fresh persimmons to hoshigaki (dried persimmons that become candy-sweet), this fruit is a visual and culinary symbol of fall in Japan. Farmers hang strings of persimmons outside to dry in the crisp air, creating postcard-worthy autumn scenes.
Where to Try:
Nara and Wakayama are famous persimmon-growing regions, where roadside stands and farm shops sell them fresh.
Specialty cafés often use persimmons in seasonal cakes and tarts during October.
Sweet Potatoes (Satsumaimo): Earthy and Nostalgic
Roasted sweet potatoes are the ultimate comfort snack of autumn in Japan. Vendors selling yaki-imo (charcoal-roasted sweet potatoes) pop up in parks and shopping streets, filling the air with their sweet aroma. You’ll also find them turned into creamy desserts, ice creams, and seasonal lattes.
Where to Try:
Tokyo’s street stalls or department store food halls, which always feature sweet potato confections in autumn.
Kawagoe (Saitama), nicknamed “Sweet Potato Town,” where you can taste everything from sweet potato chips to desserts.
Seasonal Wagashi: Autumn’s Artistic Treats
Japanese confectionery (wagashi) mirrors the seasons with delicate shapes and colors. In September and October, sweets shaped like maple leaves, chestnuts, or the harvest moon appear in tea houses and confectionery shops. Pairing them with freshly whisked matcha captures the cozy, reflective side of autumn.
Where to Try:
Kyoto’s traditional tea houses in Gion or Arashiyama.
Tokyo’s high-end wagashi shops, such as Toraya, which release limited-edition autumn collections.
Make the Most of Japan’s Autumn Tastes with Hire Taxi Japan
While many seasonal foods can be found in cities, some of the freshest experiences await in the countryside—farm stands, mountain towns, and specialty regional shops. Public transport doesn’t always make these stops easy, but a private transfer or custom food tour with Hire Taxi Japan ensures you can:
- Visit both markets and scenic spots in one day
- Enjoy tastings at your own pace without worrying about schedules
- Travel in comfort while carrying your seasonal finds
From sampling chestnut sweets in Kyoto to savoring matsutake in Nagano, a private journey makes Japan’s autumn flavors even more rewarding.
Savor Autumn in Every Bite
Traveling in September or October is about more than scenery—it’s about tasting Japan’s harvest at its peak. From rustic roasted sweet potatoes to the refined elegance of matsutake and wagashi, every bite tells a story of the season. If you’re planning an autumn trip, set aside time to explore Japan’s food culture alongside its temples, gardens, and mountains. With Hire Taxi Japan, you can enjoy a seamless mix of seasonal flavors and unforgettable sights—crafted around your pace and palate.
