Hakata Weather in October
Season: Autumn Overview: 1. In October, the weather becomes mild with a big day-night temperature gap.
2. Hakata receives low rainfall and most of time it rains lightly during 8 days.
3. The period is not only a slack season, but also a recommended month for travel.
Temperature
Generally, Hakata in October enjoys mild weather with a huge temperature difference between day and night. From early to middle October, the day temperature often stays around 23 - 27℃ (73.4 - 80.6℉), while it drops slightly in late October, ranging from 20℃ (68℉) to 24℃ (75℉). During the nighttime, the temperature is usually around 13 - 19℃ (55.4 - 66.2℉) at the beginning and middle of the month, and declines to 11 - 15 degrees Celsius (51.8 - 59 degrees Fahrenheit) at the end of the month. Based on the above, you need to add or remove clothes depending on the time of going out.
Low Precipitation
In October, Hakata has 77mm (3 in) average precipitation accumulating from 8 rainy days, during which light rain is common and does not last for a long time, so you can still carry out outdoor tours as long as keep rain gear handy.
Due to low precipitation, the relative humidity declines to approximately 68%, a comfortable and healthy level for people.
Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours
Sunrise Time: 6:13 - 6:37
Sunset Time: 17:27 - 18:04
According to the sunrise and sunset time, the length of daylight is getting shorter with an average of 11 hours per day, which means there is less time for sightseeing and you need to arrange a more compact schedule. Often under a high-pressure system, October sees more sunny days, so its sunshine duration increases to 6 hours on average each day, providing enough sunlight and a beautiful backdrop of blue skies when you take photos.
The UV Index is 6, not very high, but it’s better to take some sun-protective measures.
One of the Best Times to Visit Hakata
As mentioned above, the climate of Hakata in October is quite favorable for outdoor visiting. The whole month counts as the slack season with lower travel spending and a quieter environment, apart from Sports Day held annually on the second Monday of October, when local residents take three days off and there may be more tourists in Hakata. Besides, Nakasu Festival and Kushida Shrine’s autumn festival give you a good way to fully learn about local traditional culture and history.
What to wear in Hakata in October?
Clothes: Most days you are advised to wear a long-sleeved T-shirt during the daytime, but in a few days with hot temperatures, short-sleeved T-shirts are also suitable. In the early morning and at night, you’d better add a thin jacket such as a trench coat or cardigan. As for the bottoms, long jeans and sweatpants are highly recommended.
Footwear: Comfy and lightweight shoes such as hiking shoes or sneakers are always your first options. To ensure that you can comfortably go out sightseeing on rainy days, the shoes you pack are better to be slip-resistant and waterproof, or bring shoe covers as a substitute.
Others: Though the sunlight is not very intense, sun hats, sunglasses and sunblock are necessary, particularly at midday of sunny days.
Travel Advice for Hakata in October
1. Hakata Old Town Area is a recommended place for outdoor visits, as lots of historical attractions like Sumiyoshi Shrine, Hakata Sennenmon Gate and Jotenji Temple there are close to each other and you may visit them all at once.
2. Every year, Kushida Shrine often hosts its autumn festival from middle to late October, offering some attractive scenes well-worth seeing: parishioners march around the Hakata region, along with an ox-drawn shrine and a brass band; illuminated by colorful lights at night, many districts in Hakata including the shrine create a charming atmosphere; locals are bustling through the Harvest Bazaar to buy fresh fish and agricultural products.
3. The three-day Nakasu Festival, usually held in late October, is one of the most representative autumn events in Hakata. There are two major highlights you shouldn’t miss: one is Kunihio Women’s Mikoshi that 500 females carry a gorgeous shrine through the Nakasu area; another is Oiran Dochu that four highest-ranking courtesans dressed in magnificent kimonos parade through the main streets.
4. Though historical data from past decade shows that only in October of 2016 to 2019 did typhoons approach, the month is still the typhoon season when high winds and heavy downpours may occur, so the weather forecast need to be closely monitored, if you plan to visit Hakata in October 2026.
