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Discover the Best Autumn Colors in Japan: Fall Foliage Forecast & Guide
As Japan transitions away from summer, temperatures drop and fall foliage causes tree leaves to take on new vibrant colors. This guide reveals everything you can expect with autumn colors in Japan, including the best places to see fall foliage, regional highlights of the season, and national autumn culture.
Introduction to Autumn in Japan
Japan is famous for having an autumn season filled with bright red leaves and favorable weather. Typically, autumn in Japan starts in mid-September and ends in early December. On the warmest days of September, the temperatures rarely go higher than 24 °C, and during the later stages of the season, they can drop to as low as 7 °C in the evening.
Why Autumn is a Great Time to Visit Japan
Japan’s autumn season, also known as momijigari, is a popular time to visit the country. The main reason for this is that autumn is ideal for sightseeing. The colors of tree leaves in Japan turn to different shades of vibrant red, orange, and gold from October to December, adorning the country with their fleeting beauty.
Japan also enjoys ideal weather conditions for viewing these leaves. The temperature is not too hot, even in the middle of the afternoon. Hence, tourists can visit as many gardens, forests, and parks as they want without feeling the adverse effects of the weather.
These favorable weather conditions are just as beneficial to hikers who want to explore the lush mountainous ranges.
The season is a time for relaxation and appreciation of nature’s beauty, with many festivals and events taking place. Tourists stay in the ryokans at onsen (hot spring resorts) when they’re not attending colorful festivities like the Tori-no-Ichi Festival and Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri.
Fall Foliage Forecast
As we prepare for the coming autumn, it’s important to set clear expectations for fall foliage. Knowing what to expect will allow you to plan your travel itinerary effectively.
Our unofficial forecast will focus on the main foliage season, which includes the early and mid stages of fall foliage, where most trees develop autumn leaf colors for a few weeks. We’ll also provide a secondary forecast for the late stage of the autumn season in Japan.
Japan’s Autumn Foliage Season: When to See the Best Colors
The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) and Japan Weather Association (JWA) provide fall foliage forecasts, which can help plan your trip. Although the foliage season typically starts in late September, the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan is from mid-October to late November, with peak colors varying by region.
The first occurrence of peak autumn foliage takes place in Hokkaido, in northern Japan, and moves southward to Kyushu by late November. Below is a much more detailed overview of autumn foliage in the eight regions of Japan from September to November. We’ll be sure to mention cool spots to enjoy these beautiful colors.
Hokkaido Region
The best time to see autumn colors in Hokkaido Prefecture is from mid-September to late October. Peak viewing starts in Daisetsuzan National Park, lasting from the middle of September to the end of the month. Jozankei Onsen takes over in early October, before it’s joined by Eniwa Valley, Noboribetsu Onsen Jigokudani, and Lake Shikotsu Onsen in mid-October. Peak autumn foliage becomes rare in Hokkaido by the end of October.
Tohoku Region
Peak viewing in Tohoku occurs from late September to mid-November, depending on the area. In Aomori Prefecture, the Hakkoda Mountains see the first foliage from late September to late October, and Oirase Gorge’s foliage lasts from late October to early November. Mount Adatara in Fukushima Prefecture gets its colors from late September to late October. Finally, peak foliage in Yamadera in Yamagata Prefecture lasts from late October to mid-November.
Kanto Region
The highly populated Kanto Region has lots of leaf-viewing spots. In Tokyo Prefecture, autumn foliage starts in mid-November and ends in early December. Check out Ueno Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, and Rikugi Garden for the best views. From early October to late November, Tochigi Prefecture gets peak colors in spots like Mount Nasu and Shiobara Valley.
Chubu Region
Peak viewing times in Chubu start in late October and last throughout November. Yamanashi Prefecture sees its earliest foliage in the Fuji Five Lakes and Lake Kawaguchi. Danto Uratani in Aichi Prefecture gets autumn foliage around the same period.
Kansai Region
Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hikone, Himeji, and Wakayama tend to come late to the party, with peak viewing times starting as late as mid-November. Kyoto temples are ideal spots during this period. We recommend Tofukuji Temple, Eikando Temple, Kiyomizu-dera, and Byodoin Temple.
Chugoku Region
The autumn foliage season in Chugoku Region starts in late October and extends past late November. The first signs of peak color appear in Okayama and Tottori prefectures. Hiroshima and Shimane prefectures tend to see foliage in November.
Shikoku Region
You can rely on Kagawa Prefecture for your autumn foliage viewing throughout November. Be sure to visit Ritsurin Garden and Kankakei Gorge.
Kyushu Region
The gardens and forests of Fukuoka are arguably the best spots for viewing foliage in Kyushu Region. Most of the top spots get peak foliage from November to early December.
Early December: The Latest Fall Foliage Forecast for Japan
Late-fall foliage in Japan takes place in early December. In some cases, the autumn leaves maintain their colors from late November into mid-December. You can expect higher than average temperatures, potentially causing a normal or delayed peak in autumn foliage. The following are the top spots in each prefecture that often experience foliage in early December:
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Tokyo Prefecture (Ueno Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, and Rikugi Garden)
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Shizuoka Prefecture (Daiton)
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Kyoto Prefecture (Kiyomizudera, Byodoin, and Tofukuji temples)
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Hikone Prefecture (Hikone Castle)
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Osaka Prefecture (Osaka Castle)
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Okayama Prefecture (Okayama Korakuen)
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Kagawa Prefecture (Kankakei and Ritsurin Garden)
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Fukuoka Prefecture (Akizuki Castle Ruins and Kamado Shrine)
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan
Now that you have the full fall foliage forecast, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Of course, you can’t visit all of the popular spots during your stay in the country. You need to focus on the best!
Top Destinations for Fall Foliage in Japan
To help maximize your experience, we’ve curated a list of the best places to see autumn colours in Japan.
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Imperial Palace (Tokyo): This is one of the best places to enjoy a short autumn walk in Tokyo. Its vast gardens are famous for displaying beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. However, they turn into a canvas of brilliant colors during autumn.
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Ueno Park (Tokyo): Like the Imperial Palace, Ueno Park is another famous cherry blossom viewing spot. However, the scenery from the autumn leaves is equally breathtaking. It’s made up of yellow leaves from zelkova and ginkgo trees, alongside orange maple leaves.
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Kiyomizu Temple (Kyoto): Fall is the ideal time to visit Kiyomizu Temple, thanks to the panoramic views of Kyoto’s autumn tapestry from its historic wooden terrace.
Hidden Gems for Autumn Leaf Viewing
During the foliage season, there’s every chance that the top destinations will be crowded. If you’re concerned about having to stand in long lines, we recommend that you consider a trip to Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture instead. From mid-October to early November, you get to see an array of fall colors along paths beside the lake.
Alternatively, you could head over to Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. It’s located in a massive natural park that contains several spots for autumn foliage, including Ryuzu Waterfall and Kegon Falls. The fall colors tend to peak from early October to early November.
Regional Highlights
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the autumn highlights from each region and their popular foliage-viewing spots.
Exploring Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kanto’s Fall Foliage
In the northernmost regions of Japan, autumn is characterized by early foliage. Here are the highlights from each region:
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Hokkaido: The northernmost island in Japan, Hokkaido sees the first foliage, which consists of a unique combination of broadleaf trees, maple trees, and conifers.
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Tohoku: This region is famous for the sharp contrast between the fall leaf colors of mountainous areas and the bright blue hues of lakes.
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Kanto: This region contains the greater Tokyo area and other prefectures. It offers a wealth of renowned autumn leaf spots, including the Nikko area and the Golden Ginkgo Avenue in Meijijingu Gaien.
Discovering Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu’s Autumn Colors
Heading southward, we’ll explore the remaining five major regions of the country and what sets them apart in autumn.
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Chubu: Home to Mount Fuji, the region offers an array of picturesque spots with beautiful autumn colors. It’s the ideal spot for professional and amateur photographers.
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Kansai: It contains major cities like Kyoto and Osaka, which have a wealth of autumn foliage destinations with burning red leaves and shrubs.
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Chugoku: It’s five prefectures, including Hiroshima and Okayama, are famous for vibrant red and yellow fall foliage.
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Shikoku: This is a captivating region known for its untouched natural beauty.
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Kyushu: Known for its relatively temperate climate and popularity as a hot springs destination, it offers a variety of historic castle gardens with vibrant autumn leaves.
Planning Your Autumn Trip to Japan
There’s an abundance of autumn foliage options in Japan. However, you still need to make proper plans to ensure that you make the most of the season and avoid unforeseen complications.
Tips for Enjoying Japan’s Fall Foliage
Firstly, you should know that millions of people travel to Japan every year specifically to enjoy the fall season. Plan ahead and visit popular spots on weekdays or early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Check the weather forecast and dress in layers, as autumn weather in Japan can be unpredictable, especially in early December.
While sightseeing on your own is fine, you can greatly enhance your experience by exploring Japan’s festive culture. Attend autumn festivals and events to experience Japanese culture and traditions.
When to Start Planning Your Autumn Trip to Japan
If you want to enjoy momijigari (autumn leaf viewing) in Japan, we recommend that you start planning your autumn travel at least 4 months in advance. This will ensure you book flights and accommodations long before they become unavailable or expensive.
As with cherry blossom season in the spring, hotels in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto can fill up quickly for the fall foliage season, so it’s ideal to book a stay as soon as your travel dates are set.
Immersing in Autumn Culture
Before you visit the country, you should have a clear understanding of what autumn means to Japanese people and how they prefer to celebrate the season.
Momijigari: The Art of Fall Leaves Viewing in Japan
Momijigari, the pursuit of autumn leaves, is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. This has been the case since the Heian period (794–1185). There are many translations for the term, including “autumn leaves viewing,” “red leaves hunting,” and “maple tree hunting.” However, they all point to the same concept. During momijigari, Japanese people take trips to hills, mountains, gardens, and valleys to celebrate the stunning spectacle of fall.
Seasonal Japanese Autumn Food and Drinks
Momijigari may also involve enjoying certain seasonal foods and beverages. The following are some of the most popular autumn dishes in Japan:
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Nabe (hot pot soup): This is especially popular during the cold seasons and can be enjoyed with friends and family. It consists of seafood, meat, vegetables, tofu, and seasonal ingredients.
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Kaki (persimmon): It’s a popular fruit in Japan, and fall is the best time to enjoy it, with many farms offering picking and eating experiences.
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Kuri Gohan (chestnut rice): This is a traditional Japanese dish made by adding boiled and peeled chestnuts to rice, creating a salty and delicious treat.
Autumn Events and Festivals in Japan
Festivals offer you the chance to experience the local autumn viewing culture in whichever city you visit. You get to view traditional rites, performances, and parades while enjoying the local street food and fine dining.
Celebrating Autumn with Japan’s Seasonal Festivals
The following are the most unmissable autumn festivals across Japan:
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The Takayama Hachiman Festival in Gifu Prefecture takes place on October 9th and 10th, featuring a procession of dancers and danjiri (wooden floats) adorned with marionettes.
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The Tori-no-Ichi Festival is a three-day event in November (determined annually by the lunar calendar) where temples and shrines across Japan celebrate with kumade (decorative bamboo rakes) and pray for fortune and prosperity.
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The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in late September and mid-October features teams racing massive wooden floats for fun and bragging rights.
Conclusion:
As we anticipate the upcoming ephemeral beauty of autumn foliage, let’s appreciate how much of an impression the experience can have on visitors. You’ll get a better perspective on the fleeting beauty of nature and how much it improves mental health. Start planning your trip today to ensure that you maximize your experience.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to share your love for the season with the help of Bokksu Boutique. We have a vast collection of gift items for every season in Japan. This September, there will be a special collection inspired by typical Japanese autumn colors and flavors!
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