Japan’s Autumn Foliage Forecast 2026: Peak Times for Red and Yellow Leaves
Find when Japan’s red and yellow leaves will be at their finest this autumn.
From late autumn to early winter, Japan's deciduous trees transform into vibrant hues of red and yellow, captivating onlookers before the leaves fall. Unlike the cherry blossom season, the transition to autumn foliage gradually moves southward from Hokkaido, and from higher elevations to cities below. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast from September 2, 2026, the peak of red and yellow foliage will arrive somewhat later than usual due to high temperatures throughout the country.
Ginkgo trees, displaying brilliant yellow leaves, line avenues and parks, epitomizing an urban autumn.
In northern Sapporo and Aomori, yellow foliage will reach its peak around November 6, while most of Japan, south of Tōhoku, will see it from mid-to-late November. Red leaves, appearing a few days later, are expected to peak around November 29 in Tokyo and December 4 in Osaka.
Autumn foliage begins earlier in high mountain areas than in lowland cities. On Hokkaido's Mount Asahidake in Daisetsuzan National Park, famous for Japan's earliest fall colors, the foliage reaches its peak at elevations above 1,500 meters between September 21 and October 5. Meanwhile, at the summit of Tokyo's Mount Takao (599 meters), leaves are at their best from November 6 to 20. The Japan Meteorological Corporation provides forecasts for 3,000 mountains across the nation.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
