Autumn Leaves in Japan 2026: Forecast Dates & Best Places to See Fall Colors

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Few things in Japan are as photogenic as the autumn leaves. Every year, maples turn deep red and ginkgo trees glow gold. The color starts in the north and the mountains, then reaches cities like Tokyo and Kyoto later in the season. If you want to see autumn leaves in Japan at their best, timing matters, and in 2026 many cities are forecast to peak at their usual time or later. This guide covers the forecast dates for major cities, how the color moves across the country, and the best places to go.

The 2026 autumn leaves forecast

On November 4, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Corporation published its third and final autumn leaves forecast of the season. Red maples are forecast to peak at an average time in northern Japan, and at an average time or later than usual in eastern and western Japan. Nagano’s red maples are forecast about 10 days later than usual, and Kyoto’s about 9 days later.

Here are the forecast peak viewing dates for major cities.

These dates are forecasts, and the November 4 update is the last one of the season.

Planning around these dates? See tours & tickets on Klook →

How the color moves across Japan

Autumn color starts in the north and in the mountains, then reaches the lowland cities of eastern and western Japan later in the season. According to the 2026 forecast, red maples are expected to peak in these periods:

• Northern Japan: in the mountains from late September to mid-November; in the lowlands from late October to late November.
• Eastern Japan: in the mountains from mid-October to mid-December; in the lowlands from late November to late December.
• Western Japan: in the mountains from late October to early December; in the lowlands from late November to mid-December.

Ginkgo and maple peaks don’t always line up. In the lowlands, yellow ginkgo is expected to peak from late October to early December in northern Japan, from mid-November to early December in eastern Japan, and from mid-November to mid-December in western Japan. In most cities in the table, yellow ginkgo is forecast to peak before red maples. Sendai is the exception this year, and in Sapporo both are forecast for the same day.

Best places to see autumn leaves in Japan

Japan’s national tourism organization highlights these places for fall colors. The viewing periods below are typical seasons, so compare them with the 2026 forecast for the nearest city.

Daisetsuzan National Park (Hokkaido)

Japan’s largest national park colors early, typically from early September to early October — a good choice if you’re traveling early in the season.

Naruko Gorge (Miyagi)

A gorge that fills with reds, oranges and yellows, typically from mid-October to early November.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Toyama and Nagano)

Known as “the roof of Japan,” this mountain route colors from the top down: higher areas in October, lower areas in November.

Irohazaka Winding Road (Nikko, Tochigi)

This scenic winding road links Nikko with Lake Chuzenji. You can browse Nikko day tours and tickets on Klook; when we checked in October 2026, some of the day tours from Tokyo had Irohazaka in their names.

Lake Kawaguchi (Yamanashi)

This lake offers autumn leaves with views of Mt. Fuji and easy access from Tokyo. JNTO notes a festival here in November. When we checked in October 2026, Klook’s Mount Fuji tours and tickets page listed several day tours with Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko) in their names.

Icho Namiki Avenue and Rikugien Garden (Tokyo)

You don’t have to leave the city. Icho Namiki Avenue, a few minutes’ walk from Aoyama-itchome Station, is lined with golden ginkgo trees in late November and December. Rikugien Garden, a traditional Japanese garden, also has striking autumn views. With Tokyo’s ginkgo forecast for around November 29 and maples for around November 30, the end of November is a good bet in 2026.

Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa, Ishikawa)

A garden in Kanazawa where the maple leaves turn scarlet in autumn.

Koyasan (Wakayama)

A UNESCO World Heritage site, usually colorful from October to early November.

Kuju Mountains (Oita)

These mountains are typically colorful in October and November.

Browse tours & tickets in Japan →

Where to see autumn leaves in Kyoto

Kyoto City’s official tourist information center names these among its famous autumn leaves spots: Tofuku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Eikando, Shinnyodo, Jingo-ji, Kozan-ji, Enko-ji, Rurikoin, Kitano Tenmangu, Arashiyama and Komyo-ji.

Kyoto’s official autumn leaves calendar follows the color from late October to early December. In 2026, the forecast puts yellow ginkgo at around November 30 and red maples at around December 14 — so if red maples are your priority, mid-December looks like the sweet spot this year.

If your dates are fixed, visiting a few different spots gives you a better chance of catching good color somewhere on your trip. You can also see what Klook lists for Kyoto.

Tips for planning an autumn trip

• Plan with the final forecast. The November 4 update is the last forecast of the 2026 season, so leave a few days of flexibility around these dates.
• Pack layers. See our best time to visit Japan and packing guide.
• Stay connected. Maps and train apps make it much easier to move between leaf spots — our best eSIM for Japan comparison helps you choose a data plan before you fly.
• Eat seasonally. Autumn is also a great season for food — see our guide to autumn food in Japan.
• Plan your arrival. Landing in Tokyo? Our Narita and Haneda to Tokyo guide compares the main routes into the city.
• Plan how you’ll get there. Several of the spots in this guide — Daisetsuzan, Naruko Gorge and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — are up in the mountains or out in Hokkaido and Miyagi. If you’d rather not arrange everything yourself, you can browse tours and tickets for Japan on Klook.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan in 2026?

For the big cities, late November to mid-December. The forecast puts Tokyo’s red maples at around November 30, Osaka’s at around December 6 and Kyoto’s at around December 14. Northern Japan colors earlier: from late September in the mountains and from late October in the lowlands. Mountain areas color from mid-October to mid-December in eastern Japan, and from late October to early December in western Japan.

Are the autumn leaves late this year?

In several places, yes. In the November 4 forecast, red maples are expected to peak at an average time in northern Japan, and at an average time or later in eastern and western Japan. Among the cities in the table, Nagano is forecast about 10 days later than usual, Kyoto and Fukuoka about 9 days later, and Kanazawa and Hiroshima about 8 days later.

Will Kyoto still have autumn colors in December?

Based on the 2026 forecast, yes. Kyoto’s red maples are forecast to peak around December 14.

Will the forecast be updated again?

No. The Japan Meteorological Corporation published its third forecast on November 4 and says it is the last one of the 2026 season.

Final thoughts

In 2026, the autumn leaves in Japan are shaping up to be a late-November-to-December affair in the big cities, with the north and the mountains putting on their show earlier. Pick a region, match it to the forecast, and leave a few days of flexibility — that’s the simplest way to catch the colors at their peak.

Sources: Forecast dates from the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s third and final 2026 autumn leaves forecast (published November 4, 2026). Spot information from the Japan National Tourism Organization (including its autumn guide) and Kyoto City’s official tourist information.