Japan’s Autumn Foliage Guide 2026

As Japan stretches more than 3,000 kilometers from north to south, autumn arrives on a different date in nearly every region. This makes koyo (autumn leaves) such a moving target to plan around, but also part of the fun.

Below is a region-by-region breakdown, along with what to pack and how to build a trip around it.

Autumn Foliage Schedule

Red momiji (maple tree) and yellow ginkgo do not turn at the same time. Since ginkgo is more sensitive to temperature, it often peaks earlier.

The colors move southward for about a ten-week period, starting in Hokkaido’s mountains in late September and reaching Kyushu’s lowlands by December:

• Northern Japan (Hokkaido, Tohoku): Late September to mid-November. Sapporo leads the country, with a peak around Nov. 6 to 7.
• Eastern Japan (Kanto, Koshinetsu, Tokai): Mid-November to early December. Tokyo, Nagano and Nagoya peak from Nov. 13 to Dec. 2.
• Western Japan (Kansai, Chugoku): Late November to mid-December. Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima peak from Nov. 20 to Dec. 11, with Kyoto running latest of the three.
• Southern Japan (Kyushu): Late November to mid-December. Fukuoka and Kagoshima peak from Nov. 27 to Dec. 10.

Here is a detailed map for expected peak dates for each city:

How To Plan

Autumn is one of Japan’s busiest travel seasons, and peak color often lasts just one to two weeks in a given region. Forecasts also shift as autumn temperatures come in. That narrow window, combined with heavy demand, makes early planning essential.

A few things to keep in mind while planning:

• Pick a destination and a date together: Foliage timing varies widely by region, so it helps to match the two early, whether starting with a place in mind or a set travel window.
• Book accommodation as soon as possible: Autumn ranks among Japan’s busiest tourism seasons, and rooms near peak weekends can fill up months ahead.
• Visit on weekdays and early mornings: Popular spots such as gardens and temple grounds draw far smaller crowds before 9am and outside weekends.
• Go before or after peak: A week off-peak still means good color, but without the crowds or the sold-out hotels.
• Build in a few-day buffer: Foliage timing shifts with the weather each year, and extra days in an itinerary help line up a trip with peak color.
• Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s updates monthly, especially from October onward, since the September forecast is only a first estimate.
• Use public transportation in major cities: Parking near popular foliage spots is limited, so trains and buses are usually the easier option.

What To Wear

Layers work best. Autumn temperatures in Japan swing widely by region and by time of day, from around 5 degrees Celsius in mountain mornings to around 18 degrees Celsius in lowland cities by afternoon.

A packing list that works across most of the country:

• A base layer plus a light insulated jacket, since mornings and evenings turn cold even in Tokyo by late November.
• A packable rain coat or umbrella. Mountain viewing spots such as Kamikochi and Oirase Gorge see sudden showers even on clear-looking days.
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. Many of the best views involve stairs, gravel trails or uneven temple grounds.
• Slip-on shoes for temple and shrine visits, where footwear comes off at the entrance.
• A warmer coat, hat and gloves for Hokkaido or Tohoku trips in late September and October, when nights can approach freezing.

Best Places To See Autumn Leaves In Japan

Best for temple scenery: Kyoto, centered on Kiyomizu-dera, Tofukuji Temple and the Arashiyama bamboo grove.

Best for an easy city itinerary: Tokyo, covering Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien Gardens and the Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue.

See our Top 11 Tokyo Autumn Foliage Spots article for more suggestions.

Best for a city-and-nature combo: Osaka, pairing Osaka Castle Park with the waterfall trail at Minoo Park.

Best for mountain scenery and waterfalls: Nikko, where Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji sit below Toshogu Shrine.

Best for lake views with Mount Fuji: Hakone, via the Hakone Ropeway and boats on Lake Ashi.

Best for the earliest color of the season: Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan National Park, where Mount Asahidake turns by late September.

Best for a scenic river walk: Oirase Gorge in Aomori, or Naruko Gorge in Miyagi, where a sightseeing train runs through the color.

Best for island and shrine scenery: Miyajima in Hiroshima, where Momijidani Park frames the floating torii gate.

Best for a late-season trip: Fukuoka, where Ohori Park and Kamado Shrine stay colorful into early December.

Japan Autumn Foliage FAQs