In October through mid-November, "Harusame" participated in nine "Tokyo Express" high speed transport runs or surface attack missions to Guadalcanal or Lae, as well as participating briefly in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 26 October under Admiral Takeo Kurita. During the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12–13 November 1942, "Harusame" claimed heavy damage to an Allied cruiser by her gunfire. She returned to Yokosuka for repairs in early December.