When to go: September vs. October?
 

I didn’t find much information in the forum about traveling in the fall.

I plan on traveling for three weeks. Roughly the plan is to visit Tokyo and surroundings, Nagano and surroundings, Kyoto and surroundings and Hiroshima/Mijayima Island.

I had hoped to go in April but didn’t work out because of work. So now I am looking at anytime after August. From what I’ve read October is recommended. But before I decide I wanted to know the following:

Besides September being warmer, is there anything else that separates them? Are typhoons likely, rainy days/humid weather?

Should I expect fall colors in mid October? I don’t think I’ll stay past mid-October.

Are there festivals that might sway me to one or the other?

Just another tidbit I found that surprised me was the sunset times of at 6pm or earlier so early in the season.

Thank you.

Head out as late in October as you can for the changing colours...

Pretty sure it was still fairly humid through September so I don't recommend being here for that (it was horrible!)

As for typhoons, the biggest ones are usually September because of the changing conditions...