Japan Autumn Leaves: Forecast, Peak Times and the Best Places to See Koyo

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Japan's autumn leaves (koyo) move from north to south: Hokkaido's mountains start turning in late September, the Japanese Alps peak in October, and Tokyo and Kyoto peak from late November into early December. Forecasters expect 2026 to be normal or slightly later than usual after a hot summer, with Tokyo's maples around late November and Kyoto's in early to mid-December.

After our road trip to Hokkaido in autumn 2018, autumn officially became our favourite season to visit Japan. As summer turns to autumn, the leaves change into shades of orange and red, and the sight is absolutely stunning. It's a lovely in-between season before winter.

When to See Autumn Leaves in Japan

Autumn foliage, called koyo or momiji, is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike, and many people go momijigari ("red leaf hunting") to find the perfect view. The colours change from mid-October to early December, starting in the north and moving south, and in the mountains they start even earlier at higher elevations.

The timing shifts every year with the weather, so plan your trip with a current forecast. The Japan Meteorological Corporation and the Japan Weather Association both publish koyo forecasts from September; tenki.jp has the Japan Weather Association's forecast and live reports.

Hokkaido: The First Autumn Colours

Autumn colour starts in the north, so Hokkaido is the first place in Japan to see it. If you're travelling in late September or October, put Hokkaido on your list. We drove around Hokkaido in autumn 2018; read our 10-day Hokkaido self-drive itinerary in autumn.

Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan is Japan's largest national park and one of the best places to see autumn leaves. The colours change with the elevation, which makes the view stunning. You can take the Kurodake Ropeway up or hike.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko is Hokkaido's best-kept secret and was the highlight of our trip. The Five Lakes are beautiful and unspoilt, and you can walk around them surrounded by autumn colours. We were lucky to catch a beautiful sunset while we were there. Read more in our Shiretoko guide.

Central Japan

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Photo: Raita Futo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can see autumn colours along the Alpine Route from early October, when the high mountains of the Northern Alps change colour, especially around the Tateyama range. We haven't been in autumn yet.

Kurobe Gorge Railway

The Kurobe Gorge is deep in the Northern Japan Alps, and one of the best ways to see its autumn leaves is the Kurobe Gorge Railway. As the little train travels about 20 km into the gorge, you see the colours change with the elevation. We rode it in autumn 2019, and the water was unbelievably blue. Since 1 October 2026, trains run all the way to Keyakidaira again; read our Kurobe Gorge Railway guide.

Fuji Five Lakes

At the foot of Mt Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is one of the most beautiful places to see autumn leaves with Mt Fuji in the background. In peak season, the maple corridor along the lake is very popular. We visited in spring, when the view from our ryokan was just as stunning; read our Hakone and Kawaguchiko itinerary.

Tokyo (Late November to Early December)

Tokyo is the easiest place to reach, with daily flights from Singapore. If it's your first time in Japan, it's the best place to start. These gardens are on our list for a future autumn trip.

Rikugien

Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of Tokyo's top landscape gardens, Rikugien means you don't need to leave the city for autumn leaves. The views around the pond and the bridge are beautiful, and the garden has a special evening illumination in autumn.

Koishikawa Korakuen

Photo: Kimon Berlin, Gribeco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Koishikawa Korakuen, built in the early Edo period, is one of Tokyo's oldest landscape gardens. With dozens of maple trees, it becomes one of the most popular momiji spots in Tokyo, full of orange and red.

Kyoto (Late November to Mid-December)

Tofukuji

Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

This large Zen temple, founded in 1236, has one of Kyoto's most spectacular autumn views. The view of and from the Tsutenkyo Bridge is stunning, though it gets very crowded at peak time.

Arashiyama

Photo: Takeshi Kuboki, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On the outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama is surrounded by forested mountains. From its temples and the Togetsukyo Bridge, you can admire the hillsides in every shade of autumn.

Kiyomizudera

Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiyomizudera (清水寺) is one of Kyoto's most famous temples, known for its wooden stage 13 m above the hillside. It's one of the most popular places to see both cherry blossoms and autumn maples from above.

Planning an Autumn Trip

• Book early: hotels in Kyoto and near popular gardens fill up months ahead for late November. Compare Kyoto and Tokyo hotels on Agoda.
• Rail passes: the JR Tokyo Wide Pass (¥16,000 for 3 days) covers Kawaguchiko, Nikko and Karuizawa from Tokyo.
• Driving: Hokkaido and the Alps are best by car; see our Hokkaido self-drive tips.

FAQ

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

It depends on where you go. Hokkaido's high mountains turn first, from late September; the Japanese Alps peak in October; Tokyo peaks around late November and Kyoto from late November to mid-December. 2026 forecasts expect a normal to slightly late season after a hot summer.

Where can I see autumn leaves in Tokyo?

Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen are two of the best gardens, and Rikugien has evening illuminations in autumn. Tokyo's maples usually peak in late November to early December.

Where is the earliest place to see autumn leaves in Japan?

Hokkaido, especially Daisetsuzan National Park, where the high slopes around Asahidake and Kurodake start turning in late September. The colour then moves south and down the mountains through October.

How do I check the autumn leaves forecast?

The Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp) and the Japan Meteorological Corporation publish koyo forecasts from September and update them through the season, with live reports from popular spots.