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In a hurry? Autumn leaves in Japan 2026 at a glance:
- Tokyo: yellow ginkgo around Nov 26, red maples around Nov 29
- Kyoto: yellow ginkgo around Nov 27, red maples around Dec 11
- Osaka: red maples around Dec 4
- Sapporo: red maples around Nov 7 — about 10 days later than usual
- Next update: the forecast is scheduled to be revised in early October
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 the season is forecast to run a little late in several places. 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 September 2, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Corporation published its first autumn leaves forecast of the year. Autumn temperatures are expected to stay above average across the country, so peak color is expected to be “about average” or “later than average” in many areas. The biggest delays are in Sapporo and Nagano, where red maples are forecast to peak more than a week later than usual.
Here are the forecast peak viewing dates for major cities.
| City | Yellow ginkgo | Red maples | Maples vs. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | Nov 6 | Nov 7 | +10 days (later than average) |
| Aomori | Nov 6 | Nov 13 | ±0 (about average) |
| Sendai | Nov 29 | Nov 25 | +4 days (about average) |
| Nagano | Nov 14 | Nov 21 | +9 days (later than average) |
| Tokyo | Nov 26 | Nov 29 | +1 day (about average) |
| Kanazawa | Nov 10 | Nov 30 | +6 days (about average) |
| Nagoya | Nov 17 | Dec 2 | +4 days (about average) |
| Kyoto | Nov 27 | Dec 11 | +6 days (about average) |
| Osaka | Nov 24 | Dec 4 | +3 days (about average) |
| Hiroshima | Nov 20 | Nov 28 | +6 days (about average) |
| Fukuoka | Nov 27 | Dec 7 | +6 days (about average) |
These dates are forecasts and can change as the season goes on — so it pays to keep a little flexibility in your plans and check the updated forecast in October.
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 early October to mid-November; in the lowlands from mid-October to late November.
- Eastern Japan: in the mountains from late October to early December; in the lowlands from late November to mid-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 early to late November in northern Japan, from early November to early December in eastern Japan, and from mid-November to early 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.
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.
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.
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 26 and maples for around November 29, late 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 27 and red maples at around December 11 — so if red maples are your priority, early to 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.
Tips for planning an autumn trip
- Check the forecast again in October. The next update is scheduled for early October, and dates can shift.
- 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 29, Osaka’s at around December 4 and Kyoto’s at around December 11. Northern Japan colors earlier, from early October to late November, and mountain areas elsewhere color from late October to early December.
Are the autumn leaves late this year?
In several places, yes. Warmer-than-average autumn temperatures mean many areas are forecast to peak at an average time or later. Red maples in Sapporo are expected to peak about 10 days later than usual, and those in Nagano about 9 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 11.
When will the forecast be updated?
The Japan Meteorological Corporation plans to publish its next forecast in early October.
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 first 2026 autumn leaves forecast (published September 2, 2026). Spot information from the Japan National Tourism Organization (including its autumn guide) and Kyoto City’s official tourist information.