At peak 0 locations
No locations verified
Japan autumn foliage 2026 — where is it at its best now?
Compare dated reports and forecasts for 19 locations. Sources are reviewed manually, with observed conditions kept separate from predictions.
Last reviewed and updated: · Manually reviewed
Recent verified reports
Only reports no more than three days old are counted. Zero means none verified in this list, not none anywhere in Japan.
Near peak 0 locations
No locations verified
Not yet 0 locations
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Starting to turn: 0 · Leaves falling: 2 · Other entries are unconfirmed or need a fresh check.
Hokkaido · Sapporo and nearby
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| Location | Condition · report date | Forecast viewing period | Checked · source |
|---|---|---|---|
Jozankei hot-spring townJozankei, outside central SapporoJozankei transport and hot springs →Before visitingThe association’s October 21 report describes fading colours. This is its local assessment, not a measurement by JapanPin. Decide whether foliage alone or a hot-spring visit makes the trip worthwhile. Check the latest report and your return transport. | UnconfirmedSource report: Colours fading Historical report; not current conditions | No verified forecast date | Jozankei Tourism Association ↗ |
Hoheikyo DamNear JozankeiJozankei transport and hot springs →Before visitingThe official October 21 report says leaves are starting to fall. This is a separate area from the hot-spring town. Check that seasonal transport to the dam operates on your date. A running bus does not guarantee peak colour. | Leaves fallingSource report: Leaves starting to fall | No verified forecast date | Jozankei Tourism Association ↗ |
Sapporo Kokusai Ski ResortMountain area outside SapporoJozankei transport and hot springs →Before visitingThe official October 21 report marks fallen leaves and the end of the foliage season. This does not describe city parks or the hot-spring town. For a foliage trip, compare fresh reports from other places. Winter opening and gondola operation require separate checks. | Leaves fallingSource report: Fallen leaves; season ended | No verified forecast date | Jozankei Tourism Association ↗ |
Nakajima ParkCentral SapporoBefore visitingThe official site confirms the 2026 illumination schedule, but we have not verified a dated colour report. An event taking place does not establish peak foliage. Check the attraction’s latest notices before visiting. | Unconfirmed | No verified forecast date | Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry · event notice ↗ |
Tokyo and side trips
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| Location | Condition · report date | Forecast viewing period | Checked · source |
|---|---|---|---|
Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenueAoyama, TokyoBefore visitingThe listing estimates good viewing from November 29. We have not verified a dated on-site report, so current colour is marked unconfirmed. Choose this if you want yellow ginkgo trees. Kyoto’s maple forecasts do not describe this avenue. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Weathernews ↗ |
Rikugien GardensBunkyo, TokyoBefore visitingThe listing estimates good viewing from December 3. The forecast does not establish that day’s conditions or evening opening. Consider this for a garden-focused day. Check the garden’s opening hours, closures and any evening booking requirements separately. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Weathernews ↗ |
Mount TakaoTokyo and side tripsBefore visitingThis is a forecast start of good viewing. Passing that date does not establish peak colour without a dated report. Check local conditions and your return journey before leaving. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 | Japan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ |
Nikko IrohazakaTokyo and side tripsBefore visitingThis is a forecast start of good viewing. Passing that date does not establish peak colour without a dated report. Check local conditions and your return journey before leaving. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 Stored forecast · check for updates | Japan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ |
Kyoto & Osaka · Kansai
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| Location | Condition · report date | Forecast viewing period | Checked · source |
|---|---|---|---|
Minoh Park · around the fallsMinoh, north of OsakaMinoh transport and walking guide →Before visitingThe park says its 2026 reports will start on November 1. Older fallen-leaf labels remaining on the page have not been treated as this year’s conditions. If the falls are your goal, plan the return walk and journey home first. The Minoh guide covers distance and transport. | Unconfirmed | No verified forecast date | Minoh Park management ↗ |
Minoh Park · entrance to RyuanjiMinoh, north of OsakaMinoh transport and walking guide →Before visitingThe park notes that colour develops at different rates along the valley. We confirmed the November 1 reporting start, but not this year’s colour in this section. Consider this area for a shorter walk. A photo near the falls does not establish the colour near the entrance. | Unconfirmed | No verified forecast date | Minoh Park management ↗ |
ArashiyamaWestern KyotoGetting from Osaka to Kyoto →Before visitingKyoto’s official survey is scheduled to start on October 30. Weathernews lists November 24 as an estimated start of good viewing, not an observation date. Start with a riverside walk and one temple. Check whether any report or photograph actually covers the Togetsukyo area. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Kyoto City Tourism Association ↗ |
TofukujiSoutheastern KyotoGetting from Osaka to Kyoto →Before visitingThe Weathernews listing checked on October 23 gives November 23. Forecasts can change, so revisit the source before booking. Consider this for a temple-focused day. Check which part of the grounds a report shows and the entry rules for the area you want to visit. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Kyoto City Tourism Association ↗ |
KiyomizuderaHigashiyamaGetting from Osaka to Kyoto →Before visitingWeathernews estimates good viewing from around November 25. Check Kyoto’s condition reports and any evening opening schedule separately. Pair the visit with a Higashiyama walk, leaving breaks for children. For an evening visit, decide your return station and transport in advance. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Kyoto City Tourism Association ↗ |
Eikando TempleKyotoGetting from Osaka to Kyoto →Before visitingWe reviewed the official autumn visiting notice but could not verify a dated colour report. Opening dates do not establish peak foliage. Check the attraction’s latest notices before visiting. | Unconfirmed | No verified forecast date | Eikando official notices ↗ |
Fukuoka and other areas
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| Location | Condition · report date | Forecast viewing period | Checked · source |
|---|---|---|---|
Akizuki Castle ruinsAsakura, Fukuoka PrefectureBefore visitingThe condition label is dated September 3 and cannot describe today’s colour. A separate forecast estimates good viewing from around November 29. Consider this for a day combining the castle area and town. Allow separate travel time from central Fukuoka. | Fresh report neededSource report: Not yet Historical report; not current conditions | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Weathernews · supplied by Asakura Tourism Association ↗ |
Kamado ShrineDazaifu, Fukuoka PrefectureBefore visitingThe condition label is dated September 3. Its forecast of good viewing from around November 27 is not an observed condition. Consider adding it to a Dazaifu day. Check transport to the shrine and the return journey before committing to the plan. | Fresh report neededSource report: Not yet Historical report; not current conditions | onwards · forecastWeathernews ↗ Checked: 2026-10-23 | Weathernews ↗ |
KamikochiOther areasBefore visitingThis is a forecast start of good viewing. Passing that date does not establish peak colour without a dated report. Check local conditions and your return journey before leaving. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 Stored forecast · check for updates | Japan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ |
KorankeiOther areasBefore visitingThis is a forecast start of good viewing. Passing that date does not establish peak colour without a dated report. Check local conditions and your return journey before leaving. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 | Japan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ |
MiyajimaOther areasBefore visitingThis is a forecast start of good viewing. Passing that date does not establish peak colour without a dated report. Check local conditions and your return journey before leaving. | Unconfirmed | onwards · forecastJapan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ 2026-10-14 · round 2 Checked: 2026-10-23 | Japan Weather Association (JWA) · tenki.jp ↗ |
City reference-tree forecasts · separate from attraction reports
Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), second forecast issued October 1. These are not observed conditions across an entire city or at individual temples.
| City | Maple forecast | Ginkgo forecast | Checked · source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 2026-11-28 | 2026-11-26 | 2026-10-23Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) ↗ |
| Osaka | 2026-12-04 | 2026-11-24 | 2026-10-23Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) ↗ |
| Kyoto | 2026-12-11 | 2026-11-27 | 2026-10-23Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) ↗ |
Does December 11 mean peak colour everywhere in Kyoto?
No. City reference-tree forecasts and attraction forecasts describe different subjects. Even for Arashiyama, JWA estimates good viewing from around November 13 and Weathernews from around November 24. Neither is an observation.
Elevation, tree species and location affect timing. December is not automatically too late. Check dated photographs or reports for the area you plan to visit before deciding your route.
Turn foliage plans into a day out
- Minoh transport and walking guide →
- Getting from Osaka to Kyoto →
- Jozankei transport and hot springs →
- Compare transport costs with the pass calculator →
- Organise dates and notes in My trip →
- Japan travel checklist →
Foliage bus tours: a verified affiliate option for this page is not yet available.
Before you plan a foliage trip
When will Kyoto’s autumn leaves peak in 2026?
JMC’s second forecast, issued October 1, gives December 11 for Kyoto’s reference trees. Attraction forecasts differ: JWA lists good viewing from November 13 at Arashiyama, while Weathernews lists November 24. Both are forecasts, not measured peaks. Check dated reports close to your visit.
When should I visit Tokyo for autumn foliage?
The city reference-tree forecast gives November 28 for maple colour and November 26 for ginkgo. Compare the individual forecasts for Gaien, Rikugien and Mount Takao; different locations and trees can turn at different times. Dates cannot guarantee colour.
Can I see Kyoto’s autumn leaves on a day trip from Osaka?
Yes. Build the day around one area, such as Arashiyama or Higashiyama, and check your return journey. Use the Kyoto reports together with our Osaka-to-Kyoto transport guide.
What should I wear during Japan’s autumn foliage season?
Dress in layers and bring an outer layer for wind. Conditions vary by destination, elevation and time of day. For mountain walks or evening visits, check the local low temperature and rain forecast rather than relying on one national average.
Where can I check Japan’s autumn foliage forecasts?
Compare Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), Japan Weather Association (JWA) on tenki.jp, Weathernews, and reports from tourism bodies or attractions. This page is manually reviewed. Undated reports remain unconfirmed and reports older than three days are flagged for rechecking. Consult the original before travelling.
Update history
We aim to review sources manually two or three times a week during the season. The history below records completed updates.
- — Connected 19 locations in regional tables and separated JMC and JWA forecasts. Unverified figures were not used as current conditions.
Next review checkpoint: Pending: review all location forecasts after JMC’s next release, expected in early November · Release notice ↗
Once the season is confirmed finished, this address will retain the final records and an end-of-season notice.