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Travel guide

Autumn leaves in Japan: when and where to see koyo

Autumn may be the best season of all to visit Japan. The air is clear, days are mild, food is at its best, and from the mountains of Hokkaido in late September to the temple gardens of Kyoto in early December, the leaves turn red, orange and gold. Japanese call it koyo. This guide gives the Japan Meteorological Agency's average dates for maples and ginkgo in 12 cities, explains why the mountains come first, and suggests where to go week by week.

By the Pai Yipon team

✓ Fact-checked against official sources

Published 23 October 2026 · 4 min read

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Red and orange maples around Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto

In short

  • Mountains first, cities later: high ground turns from late September; city maples from late October in Hokkaido to early December in Kyoto.
  • In Tokyo maples turn around 28 November, in Kyoto around 5 December on average.
  • Ginkgo trees turn gold a few days to two weeks before maples in most cities.
  • Go to famous temples early in the morning or on weekdays.
  • Pack layers: mornings and evenings are much colder than the afternoon.
In this guide
  1. When is autumn leaf season?
  2. Why the colours are so vivid
  3. Where to go, month by month
  4. Kyoto in autumn
  5. Planning tips

When is autumn leaf season?

The best time to see autumn leaves is from late September to early December, depending on the place, the elevation and how warm the year has been (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). The season starts in the cold north of Hokkaido and moves south, and in each region the mountains colour first, then the gardens, parks and temples in town (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). It is the reverse of the cherry blossom front, which travels north in spring; see our cherry blossom guide.

The table shows average dates for when the maple at each city's weather station turns red (JMA (opens in a new tab)) and the ginkgo turns yellow (JMA (opens in a new tab)). We worked them out from JMA's 2025 observations and their difference from normal, so treat them as rough guides.

CityMaples turn redGinkgo turn yellow
Sapporo, Hokkaidoabout 28 Octoberabout 4 November
Hakodateabout 2 Novemberabout 2 November
Naganoabout 12 Novemberabout 10 November
Aomoriabout 13 Novemberabout 2 November
Sendai, Miyagiabout 21 Novemberabout 23 November
Naraabout 21 Novemberabout 18 November
Hiroshimaabout 22 Novemberabout 15 November
Kanazawa, Ishikawaabout 24 Novemberabout 10 November
Tokyoabout 28 Novemberabout 23 November
Osakaabout 1 Decemberabout 22 November
Fukuokaabout 1 Decemberabout 20 November
Kyotoabout 5 Decemberabout 24 November
Kiyomizu-dera Temple surrounded by autumn colours
Kyoto's maples usually peak from late November into early December.

Why the colours are so vivid

JNTO explains that the secret is Japan's typical autumn weather: cool mornings, warm sunny days and cold evenings (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). The bigger the swing between day and night, the stronger the reds, which is why mountain valleys often outshine the cities. Japanese maples are the stars, shading from green through yellow and orange to red, sometimes all on one tree (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).

Dates still vary from year to year. In 2025, Tokyo's maple turned five days earlier than normal, while Kyoto's was five days late (JMA (opens in a new tab)). Check forecasts in the weeks before you go.

Autumn colours below misty mountains in Kamikochi
In the mountains, the colour comes weeks before the cities.

Where to go, month by month

  • Late September to early October: the mountains of Hokkaido. The first colour of the year appears in Hokkaido's high country; see our September page.
  • October: northern Japan and the Alps. Mountain areas of Tohoku, Nagano and the lakes and waterfalls of Nikko in Tochigi are at their best; Sapporo's city maples turn at the end of the month. More on our October page.
  • November: central Japan and the big cities. Mount Fuji's lakes in Yamanashi, Nara's parks, Hiroshima and Kanazawa; Tokyo's ginkgo avenues glow gold late in the month. See November.
  • Late November to early December: Kyoto, Osaka and the southwest. Kyoto's temple gardens are the season's grand finale; December still has colour in Kyoto and Kyushu.
A bridge over a river framed by autumn trees in Nikko

Our nature, shrines and temples and gardens and parks collections are full of autumn spots. For the full experience, pair the leaves with a soak: an outdoor bath with a view of red mountains is hard to beat (see our onsen guide).

Mount Fuji reflected in a lake behind red autumn leaves
The scenic autumn season is the time of year when it is neither too hot nor too cold, making it easy and comfortable to travel.
JNTO, Autumn Leaves Forecast

Kyoto in autumn

Kyoto's maples are the most famous in Japan, and the city is very busy at the end of November. The average date for its weather-station maple is about 5 December (JMA (opens in a new tab)), and temple gardens on the city's edges often colour a little earlier. To avoid the crowds, visit popular temples early in the morning or on weekdays (JNTO (opens in a new tab)), and consider staying in Osaka or Nara when Kyoto hotels are full.

People walking under golden ginkgo trees in Tokyo
Tokyo's ginkgo avenues turn gold in late November.

Planning tips

  • Weather: autumn is comfortable to travel, but mornings and evenings are cold, especially in the mountains (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Check our Tokyo and Sapporo forecasts.
  • Food: autumn is harvest season and a great time for seasonal food (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
  • Book early for Kyoto in the second half of November.
  • Use our [7-day first trip](guide:first-trip-7-days) as a base and shift it to match the leaf dates.

Questions travellers ask

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

From late September in Hokkaido's mountains to early December in Kyoto. In Tokyo, maples turn red around 28 November on average, and in Kyoto around 5 December.

When do the leaves change in Kyoto?

Late November into early December. The average date for the maple at Kyoto's weather station is about 5 December.

What is koyo?

The Japanese word for autumn leaves turning colour. Momiji means Japanese maple, and momijigari means going out to see the leaves.

Where can I see autumn leaves in October?

In the mountains of Hokkaido, Tohoku and Nagano, and around Nikko. Sapporo's city maples turn at the end of October.

Are ginkgo and maple leaves at the same time?

Close, but ginkgo usually turn yellow a few days to two weeks before maples turn red in most cities.

Sources

We checked the facts on this page against these sources.

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