Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast 2026: Maple and Ginkgo Dates
2026 Japan kōyō forecast, October 1 update: Tokyo maple ~Nov 28, Kyoto ~Dec 11, Osaka ~Dec 4, plus regional windows for Nikko, Hokkaido and Kawaguchiko.
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The Japan Meteorological Corporation released its second 2026 autumn foliage (kōyō) forecast on October 1. Most cities moved by a day or less from September's first forecast; Sapporo came three days earlier. All are close to a normal year. The next update is due in early November.
This page turns that forecast into a trip plan. For destination depth, use autumn Japan 2026, Kyoto foliage, Japan in October, and Japan in November.
2026 city peaks (maple vs ginkgo)
JMC publishes separate outlooks for red maple and yellow ginkgo. They do not peak on the same day.
Maple and ginkgo are different days.
| City | Maple (red) ~peak | Ginkgo (yellow) ~peak |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Nov 28 | Nov 26 |
| Kyoto | Dec 11 | Nov 27 |
| Osaka | Dec 4 | Nov 24 |
| Nagoya | Dec 2 | Nov 17 |
| Sendai | Nov 24 | Nov 29 |
| Sapporo | Nov 4 | Nov 3 |
| Fukuoka | Dec 7 | Nov 28 |
Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation, second 2026 foliage forecast, October 1.
Each date is the day one specimen tree at the city's weather observatory is forecast to be mostly red or yellow. The famous spots do not wait for it: Kyoto's temples usually peak in late November, about two weeks before Kyoto's December 11.
Regional windows (how to actually book)
| Region | Planning window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido mountains | Mid Sep – early Oct | Already turning while Tokyo is still green |
| Hokkaido plains / Sapporo | Late Oct – early Nov | City ginkgo/maple nearer the table above |
| Tohoku | Late Oct – mid Nov | Gorges and highland routes |
| Nikko | Mid Oct (lakes) – mid Nov (Toshogu) | See Nikko foliage |
| Kawaguchiko / Fuji lakes | Early – mid Nov | Classic pagoda + Fuji + maple corridor |
| Kyoto / Nara temples | Late Nov – early Dec | Often the finale after a warm year |
| Tokyo parks / Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo | Late Nov | See ginkgo avenue guide |
Golden Route foliage window: roughly the last ten days of November, with Kyoto's temples at the end. Avoid November 21–23 if you can: it is a Japanese three-day weekend (Labor Thanksgiving Day falls on the Monday) and domestic visitors fill the same temples.
How to use the forecast without overthinking it
- Lock the region to your dates, not the other way around. Mid-October leave → Nikko, Alps, Tohoku, early Kawaguchiko. Late November leave → Kyoto, Tokyo, Nara.
- Book beds now for Kyoto and Nikko weekends; keep one flexible day for weather.
- Go at opening. Peak color plus midday tour buses is how famous spots feel ruined.
- Check the early-November JMC update before you fix day trips; it is the last one before the city peaks.
Where to go from Tokyo when color starts
Without a car, Nikko is the easiest foliage day trip from Tokyo: Nikko day trip.
FAQ
When is the best time for autumn leaves in Japan in 2026?
It depends on the region. Mountains and the north peak in October; Tokyo and Kyoto peak from late November into early December.
Is Kyoto foliage late this year?
The forecast puts Kyoto's observatory tree at December 11, about normal. The temples most people go to see usually peak in late November.
When is the next forecast update?
Early November.
Maple or ginkgo first?
In many cities, ginkgo peaks a few days before maple. Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Gaien avenue is a ginkgo story.
Should I visit in October or November?
October for mountain color and fewer temple crowds. Late November for classic Kyoto/Tokyo peak photos.
Related
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The Standard Japan
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Facts are taken from primary sources (operators, venues, official tourism and government pages) and dates and prices are checked on the day of writing. Pages are revised when those sources change.
Expertise
Seasonal crowds, transport and airports, itineraries, lodging, pre-trip logistics
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