Japan Fall Foliage Forecast Map 2026

Japan's 2026 fall foliage season is expected to arrive later than usual in many regions due to warmer temperatures. Below is the latest Japan autumn leaves forecast map for 2026. In this guide, we'll keep you updated with the latest forecasts and local foliage reports, help you find the best places to see autumn colors based on your travel dates, and show you when different regions are expected to reach peak foliage.

Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast Map 2026

Japan Fall Foliage Forecast Map 2026

When to See Fall Foliage in Japan 2026

For a classic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka fall foliage Japan tour, late November to early December is generally the best window in 2026.

If you prefer earlier autumn colors, milder weather, or fewer crowds, consider traveling in late October to early November and choosing northern Japan or higher-elevation destinations such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Nagano, or the Japanese Alps.

If your travel dates are already set, use the table below to match your dates with the regions most likely to be at their best for fall foliage in 2026.

When You're Visiting	Best Places	What to Expect
Early November	Sapporo, Aomori, Kanazawa	Yellow leaves are at or near peak; red leaves are approaching peak in northern Japan.
Mid-November	Aomori, Nagano, Kanazawa	Red and yellow foliage are at peak in northern and mountainous areas.
Late November	Tokyo, Sendai, Kyoto, Osaka	Yellow leaves are at peak across many major cities, while red leaves reach peak in Tokyo and Sendai.
Early December	Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto	Red leaves reach peak across Central and Western Japan, with yellow foliage still visible in some areas.
Mid-December	Kyoto, Wakayama, Kochi	Some of the latest red foliage appears in Western Japan.

2026 Autumn Leaves Peak Dates by Region

*The forecast dates show when red and yellow leaves are expected to reach their peak in 2026. The comparisons with the average indicate how many days earlier or later these dates fall than the historical average peak dates.

Location	Red Leaves Peak Date	vs. Average (Red)	Yellow Leaves Peak Date	vs. Average (Yellow)
Tokyo	11/28	Same as average	11/26	3 days later
Kyoto	12/11	6 days later	11/27	3 days later
Osaka	12/4	3 days later	11/24	2 days later
Sapporo	11/4	7 days later	11/3	1 day earlier
Aomori	11/13	Same as average	11/6	4 days later
Nagano	11/21	9 days later	11/14	4 days later
Sendai	11/24	3 days later	11/29	6 days later
Hiroshima	11/28	6 days later	11/20	5 days later
Kanazawa	11/30	6 days later	11/10	Same as average
Nagoya	12/2	4 days later	11/17	1 day earlier

How to Use Japan's 2026 Fall Foliage Forecast

The first thing to get clear is what the peak date actually means. JMC's peak date refers to when most leaves are expected to have reached their peak color, so you can usually still see beautiful autumn foliage in the days before and after that date. It's not a one-day window.

When deciding on your travel dates, we'd suggest using both the forecast peak date and historical averages. Since many destinations are forecast to peak later than their historical averages in 2026, consider arriving a few days before the predicted peak. Fall foliage timing is heavily weather-dependent. If temperatures drop quickly, the leaves may peak earlier and then start falling. And even if you arrive a few days early, you can head to mountain areas near your destination, like Arashiyama in Kyoto, where the colors peak earlier.

It's also worth checking for updates. JMC usually releases several rounds of forecasts in September and October. When booking, choose hotels with free cancellation, then check the latest forecast again 1-2 weeks before departure for a more accurate picture. Keep your itinerary flexible so you can adjust as needed (but note that changes made closer to your travel date may involve extra costs).

If you're hoping to see fall foliage at more than one destination, design your route around how the colors progress. Our fall foliage itineraries, for example, usually follow the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka order. For more comprehensive advice, take a look at our 2026 Japan Fall Foliage Planning Guide, or reach out directly to Odynovo's travel experts. With decades of experience planning trips to Japan, they can give you expert advice and design a fall foliage itinerary that's tailored to you.

Where to See Fall Foliage + Viewing Map

Kyoto (Late November to Mid-December)

Kyoto is one of the best places to experience classic Japanese autumn scenery, combining colorful maple trees with temples, gardens, and traditional neighborhoods. It is especially suitable if you want to combine fall foliage with cultural sightseeing.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Eikando: One of Kyoto's most famous maple-viewing temples, known for dense red foliage and seasonal evening illuminations. The Tahoto Pagoda offers elevated views of the surrounding autumn colors.
• Arashiyama: A popular choice for combining autumn leaves with mountains, the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, and riverside scenery. Particularly stunning on a sunny day.
• Kiyomizu-dera: Offers one of the most recognizable autumn views in Kyoto, with red and orange foliage covering the hillside below the main hall. Seasonal evening illuminations can provide another opportunity to see the temple after sunset.

Tokyo (Mid-November to Early December)

Tokyo is a convenient choice for autumn foliage if you want to combine leaf viewing with city sightseeing. Its parks, gardens, and tree-lined avenues offer both red maple leaves and golden ginkgo without requiring long-distance travel.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Mount Takao: About an hour from central Tokyo, Mount Takao is a good option for combining autumn foliage with an outdoor excursion. You can take a leisurely hike or a scenic train ride through a landscape of swaying red and golden leaves.
• Meiji-Jingu Gaien: Best known for its stunning 300-meter avenue of golden ginkgo trees. It is one of Tokyo's most recognizable spots for yellow autumn foliage and is easy to combine with sightseeing in central Tokyo.
• Rikugien Garden: A traditional Japanese landscape garden features charming tea houses tucked beneath the fiery autumn branches, where you can sample Japanese-style desserts while coming across the cute carp swimming among floating leaves.

Mt. Fuji (Early to Mid-November)

As Japan's iconic landmark, Mt. Fuji is also a top autumn foliage destination. While the snow-capped mountain itself lacks maple and ginkgo trees, numerous scenic spots nearby offer breathtaking views of vibrant fall foliage. It is a good choice if you want to photograph autumn leaves with Mt. Fuji in the background.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Lake Kawaguchi: A stunning location where you can stand along the shore or stroll through the Maple Corridor, taking in the vast blue waters and the majestic silhouette of Mt. Fuji merging into the horizon. Floating autumn leaves add the perfect finishing touch, creating a scene reminiscent of a classic Ukiyo-e painting.
• Oshino Hakkai: This charming village, home to eight pristine springs fed by Mt. Fuji's melted snow, offers a breathtaking layered landscape that combines the towering snow-capped peak, colorful red, yellow, and green forests, and traditional thatched-roof houses reflected in crystal-clear ponds.
• Arakurayama Sengen Park: After a scenic 30-minute hillside hike, you'll reach one of the most iconic photography spots in Japan. From here, you can capture the perfect composition of Mt. Fuji, fiery autumn leaves, and the striking crimson Chureito Pagoda, all in a single breathtaking frame.

Osaka (Late November to Early December)

Osaka is a practical base for an autumn trip, as it's a major transportation hub with a wealth of parks, temples, and illuminated nightscapes. Beyond fall foliage viewing, the city offers endless experiences: from savoring authentic street food at bustling stalls to joining lively local celebrations with the fall colors.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Osaka Castle Park: A convenient place to combine autumn foliage with one of Osaka's most famous landmarks. The park has maple and a ginkgo tree that's over 300 years old, providing both red and yellow fall colors around the castle grounds.
• Expo '70 Commemorative Park: A former World Expo site that comes alive in autumn with festivals and events. Here, fall foliage viewing is a lively experience, featuring everything from traditional tea ceremonies during the autumn leaves festival to open-air concerts filled with music and dance.

Nara (Mid-November to Early December)

Nara combines autumn foliage with historic temples, traditional landscapes, and its famous free-roaming deer. It is a good choice for families or those looking to immerse themselves in Zen culture.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Nara Park: While the moss-covered temples and stone lanterns add to the charm of the fall scenery, the park's adorable deer often steal the spotlight. Be mindful of your deer crackers - unless you're ready to be "surrounded"! For a quieter experience, take a stroll deeper into the park, where you'll find gentle deer roaming peacefully among the falling leaves.
• Mount Yoshino: Famous for its breathtaking cherry blossoms in spring, Mt. Yoshino also dazzles in autumn with a vibrant display of red and gold. Whether you join an invigorating hike alongside mountain practitioners or opt for a tranquil temple stay, the seasonal beauty of this sacred mountain will leave a lasting impression.

Hokkaido (Mid-September to Early November)

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, offers the first glimpse of autumn colors as early as October, when you can dive into its colorful forest mountains to embrace the stunning landscapes, without the crowds or high prices of the peak season.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Daisetsuzan National Park: One of the earliest places in Japan to see autumn colors. The Sounkyo area offers mountain scenery, waterfalls, and colorful forests, while the higher elevations can turn before the rest of Hokkaido.
• Jozankei: A tranquil onsen town surrounded by dense forests, perfect for unwinding in its open-air hot springs where you can soak in warm waters while admiring the brilliant autumn colors - an ideal blend of relaxation and seasonal beauty.
• Jigokudani (Hell Valley): Located in Noboribetsu, this volcanic crater area is a striking fall foliage destination. Wander along the scenic hiking trails, take in the surreal sight of steam rising from the ground, and even enjoy a natural footbath onsen, all while immersed in the vibrant hues of autumn, enhanced by the valley's signature sulfur-scented air.

Kanazawa (Mid-November to Early December)

Also known as "Little Kyoto", Kanazawa boasts plenty of traditional gardens and delicate castles to pair with the autumn leaves season, offering another kind of quintessentially Japanese landscape, from samurai residences to feudal lord castles and even traditional farmhouses.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Kenrokuen Garden: Worth both day and nighttime visits to sample the different tastes of this top Japanese garden. The eastern hill of Yamazaki is full of maples to cover your footprints, while the higher Sazaeyama in the west is best for capturing its breathtaking reflections on the pond.
• Kurando Terashima's House: A well-preserved samurai residence from the Edo period, with a delicate garden to feel the changing seasons: from spring azaleas brightening the mud walls to fall enkianthus shrubs transforming into brilliant shades of red and yellow.
• Shirakawago: About a 1-hour drive from Kanazawa is the tranquil Japanese village of Shirakawa, famous for its snow-covered thatched-roof houses in winter. However, autumn brings its own charm - golden farmlands, fiery maples, and the warm hues of traditional grass-roofed houses create a stunning seasonal landscape you won't want to miss.

Nagano (Mid-October to Early November)

Nagano's mountainous terrain creates a longer and more varied autumn foliage season, with colors appearing at different elevations. It is especially suitable for travelers who want hiking, mountain scenery, and outdoor activities alongside fall foliage.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Kamikochi: A lovely hiking highland with a gurgling river meandering through the gorge, forming a tranquil pond that perfectly reflects the autumn views - surrounding trees glow in shades of gold and orange, while the distant peaks remain dusted in misty white.
• Tateyama Kurobe: Also a popular hiking trail in the northern Japanese Alps, where nature paints a stunning layered masterpiece: from lush green foothills to golden mountainside, crowned with crimson and fiery red canopies, all beneath a brilliant snowy peak against the azure sky.
• Shiga Kogen: Home to numerous emerald-colored ponds and marshes that contrast beautifully with the surrounding fall foliage. This highland is perfect for a leisurely hike at your own pace or a scenic drive along winding roads, tracing the sunset as it casts a golden glow over the landscape.

Kumano Kodo (Mid- to Late November)

The Kumano Kodo is one of Japan's best choices for travelers who want to combine autumn foliage with hiking and pilgrimage routes. Forests, shrines, mountain paths, and waterfalls create a very different fall experience from the temple gardens of Kyoto or the urban parks of Tokyo.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Nakahechi: The most popular trail to enjoy the fall colors, where golden leaves blanket the path beneath lush cedar trees. Along the way, you'll find vibrant half-red maples and moss-covered Jizo statues, all leading to Hongu Taisha, home to a striking torii gate.
• Kumano Nachi Taisha: This revered shrine marks the final stop of the pilgrimage, where fiery red maples contrast beautifully against the crimson torii gate and pagoda. Don't miss Nachi Falls behind the main hall - a pure white cascade flowing from the mountains, framed by drifting autumn leaves that add a touch of seasonal splendor.

Kyushu (Mid-November to Early December)

On the opposite side of Hokkaido, Kyushu serves as the tail of Japan's fall foliage season, where you can enjoy its stunning fall colors till late December with its pleasant temperatures; it is also an ideal choice if you are looking for a more crowd-free atmosphere or affordable prices, with those wild branches and leaves.

Top Viewing Spots:

• Takachiho Gorge: Formed by the eruption of Mt. Aso, this volcanic gorge is best explored by a leisurely boat ride. Glide through towering, verdant cliffs as you pass cascading waterfalls, hear birds warbling in the distance, and watch golden leaves drift on the water. Alternatively, follow the paved path above for an easy walk and discover the perfect angle to frame the gorge with vibrant maple leaves.
• Kamado Shrine: Known for its matchmaking deities, this sacred site is also home to a lively fall foliage festival. It's an ideal destination for couples, offering a romantic stroll along a crisp, golden leaf-covered path, or enjoying the enchanting glow of illuminated lanterns while sampling delicious treats from local food trucks.

Capture Japan's Fall Colors With Odynovo

Planning a Japan fall foliage trip is all about timing. Odynovo can help match your travel dates with the exact regions hitting their vibrant peak, while coordinating the details of a multi-city trip, including high-speed trains, luggage forwarding, and private transfers. Reach out and tell us when you plan to travel, and we'll help build a route around the best fall colors and make your autumn trip effortless.