Autumn Leaves in Japan 2026: When and Where to See Fall Foliage (Koyo)

October 21, 2026

Red maple trees around a wooden temple veranda in Kyoto in late autumn

Koyo, the turning of the leaves, moves through Japan from north to south and from the mountains down to the cities, so the right date depends entirely on where you'll be.

The short answer: in 2026, the leaves are running a little late because of a hot summer. Hokkaido and the northern mountains are at their best now, in October. Nikko peaks from mid-October to early November. Tokyo's ginkgo trees should turn gold around November 26 and its maples around November 28. Kyoto's ginkgo is forecast around November 27, with red maples lasting until around December 11. If you can only pick one week for Tokyo and Kyoto together, aim for the last week of November.

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

Short answer: late October in the north, late November to early December in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) publishes the main forecast. Its October 1, 2026 update gives these peak dates for the cities most people visit:

City	Yellow ginkgo peak (2026)	Red maple peak (2026)
Sapporo	Nov 3	Nov 4
Tokyo	Nov 26	Nov 28
Kyoto	Nov 27	Dec 11
Osaka	Nov 24	Dec 4
Hiroshima	Nov 21	Nov 28

These are forecasts for city trees, not mountain spots, and JMC's next update is due in early November. Higher ground turns first: JMC's September forecast put Mount Asahidake in Hokkaido at around September 21 to October 5, and the summit of Mount Takao, west of Tokyo, at around November 6 to 20.

Where should I see autumn leaves in Hokkaido and Tohoku?

Short answer: go in October, and head for the mountains and lakes rather than the cities.

As of mid-October 2026, japan-guide.com's live reports show Daisetsuzan already past peak, Jozankei (the hot spring town outside Sapporo) at peak color, and Sapporo approaching peak. In Tohoku, the Hakkoda mountains and Hachimantai are at peak color, with Lake Towada and Naruko Gorge forecast for late October to early November.

If you love onsen with your foliage: Jozankei, an easy day trip from Sapporo.
If you want a big, dramatic drive: Hakkoda in Aomori, then down to Lake Towada.
If you'd rather walk a gorge: Naruko Gorge in Miyagi, best from late October.

Is Nikko worth it for fall foliage?

Short answer: yes, if you go between mid-October and early November and you go early in the day.

Nikko's color starts high up and works its way down. Ryuzu Waterfall, near Lake Chuzenji, is one of the first spots to turn and is usually best in early October. Lake Chuzenji and the Irohazaka winding road follow, and the shrines and temples around Toshogu in town come last.

The catch is traffic. The Irohazaka road normally takes about 20 minutes, but on peak weekends it can take two to three hours. Take the first buses up from Tobu Nikko Station, go on a weekday, and if you only have one day, choose either the lake or the town rather than both. The Akechidaira Ropeway, partway up Irohazaka, gives a view over Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls.

Where should I see autumn leaves in Tokyo?

Short answer: Meiji Jingu Gaien's ginkgo avenue for gold, Rikugien for maples at night. Both peak in late November.

Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue. A straight avenue of about 300 meters lined with ginkgo trees, running from Aoyama-dori toward the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. When it turns, the whole tunnel goes yellow at once. If you love a photo without people in it, go just after sunrise on a weekday. The ginkgo festival that some sites list for the avenue hasn't been confirmed for 2026, so treat it as a street to walk, not an event to plan around.

Rikugien. An Edo-period strolling garden in Komagome, built around a pond. If you love gardens more than streets, this is your Tokyo pick. Its 2026 night illumination runs from November 25 to December 6, 6pm to 8:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm. Advance tickets are sold online only, at a lower price than tickets on the day, and day-of tickets at the counter are cash only.

Mount Takao. If you'd rather hike than queue, Takao is an easy day trip from Shinjuku. Expect the summit trails to be busy on November weekends.

Is Hakone good for autumn leaves?

Short answer: yes, and it peaks earlier than Tokyo, so it works for an early November trip.

According to Hakone's official tourism site, color reaches Owakudani and the ropeway route from late October, Lake Ashi in early November, and the Gora area, including the Hakone Museum of Art, in early to mid-November. Lower Hakone-Yumoto is last, in mid to late November.

If you love gardens: the Hakone Museum of Art's moss garden, where red maples sit over green moss.
If you're hoping for Mount Fuji: take a morning boat on Lake Ashi on a clear day; clouds often build later.

Where should I see autumn leaves in Kyoto?

Short answer: Eikando for a night visit, Tofukuji for the classic view from above, Arashiyama at opening time. Kyoto peaks from late November into early December in 2026.

Eikando (Zenrinji). A temple in the northeast of the city, near the Philosopher's Path, packed with maples. If you love night light-ups, this is the one. The 2026 light-up runs from November 20 to December 6, with entry from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Expect the first hour to be the busiest. The temple's autumn treasure exhibition runs by day from November 11 to December 6, 2026.

Tofukuji. In the south of the city, a short walk from Tofukuji Station. The view from Tsutenkyo, a covered wooden bridge over a valley of maples, is the one on every poster. Entry to the grounds is free, and Tsutenkyo has a separate fee. Stopping to take photos on Tsutenkyo is not allowed in autumn, to keep the walkway moving, so look first and photograph from the paths. It's a day-only temple, so go at opening time.

Arashiyama. On the western edge of Kyoto. Tenryuji's Sogen Pond Garden opens early, at 7:30am, from November 14 to 30, 2026, which is your chance to see it before the tour groups. If you love quiet, walk north afterward toward the smaller temples instead of heading into the bamboo grove at midday, when the crowds are heaviest.

Kiyomizu-dera. The temple usually holds an evening opening in late November. Check its official site for 2026 dates before you plan around it.

Where should I see autumn leaves near Osaka and Hiroshima?

Short answer: Minoo Park from Osaka, Momijidani Park on Miyajima from Hiroshima, both in the second half of November.

Minoo Park. A forested valley north of Osaka with a walking trail up to Minoo Falls, reached by Hankyu train from Umeda. Shops along the trail sell momiji tempura, deep-fried maple leaves, a local snack. Go in the second half of November; by early December many trees have browned.

Momijidani Park, Miyajima. "Maple valley" sits behind Itsukushima Shrine, at the foot of Mount Misen. Japan-guide.com forecasts Miyajima for late November in 2026. If you love a ferry ride and a slower day, combine it with the shrine and an afternoon walk on the island after the day-trippers leave.

How do I avoid the crowds during koyo season?

Short answer: go early, go on weekdays, and avoid November 23.

Start at opening time. In Kyoto especially, the first hour is a different experience from 11am.
Use the weekdays. November 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day) is a national holiday in Japan; expect it to be one of the busiest days of the season.
Do night light-ups late, not early. At Eikando, the rush is in the first hour after the gates open.
Walk or take the train in Kyoto. Buses toward Arashiyama and the eastern temples get packed in November.
Use the gap between ginkgo and maple. In Kyoto, ginkgo peaks about two weeks before the maples in 2026, so early December still has plenty of red.

How far ahead should I book a Japan autumn trip?

Short answer: as early as you can for Kyoto in late November, which is one of its busiest periods of the year.

Book Kyoto hotels first, then build the rest of the trip around them.
Budget for Kyoto's accommodation tax. Since March 1, 2026, it's charged per person, per night, on a sliding scale based on the room rate, from 200 yen up to 10,000 yen for the most expensive rooms.
Buy timed tickets as soon as they open, like Rikugien's online night tickets.
Check the JMC forecast again in early November, when the next update comes out.

Japan autumn leaves checklist

Region picked to match your dates (north in October, Tokyo and Kyoto in late November)
Kyoto hotel booked early, accommodation tax budgeted
Rikugien night tickets bought online
Eikando light-up evening planned (Nov 20 to Dec 6)
Early start planned for Tofukuji and Arashiyama
November 23 kept for somewhere quiet
Forecast rechecked after JMC's early November update

FAQ

When is peak autumn foliage in Kyoto in 2026? JMC's October 2026 forecast puts Kyoto's ginkgo peak around November 27 and its red maple peak around December 11. Late November to early December is the safe window.

When do the leaves change in Tokyo in 2026? Around November 26 for ginkgo and November 28 for maples, per JMC's October 1 forecast.

Where can I see autumn leaves in October in Japan? Hokkaido, the Tohoku mountains and Nikko. Hakone starts in late October at higher spots like Owakudani.

What are the Eikando light-up dates for 2026? November 20 to December 6, 2026, with entry from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

Is it too late to see autumn leaves in Japan in December? No. Kyoto's maples are forecast to peak around December 11 in 2026, and Osaka's around December 4.