In Japan, autumn doesn’t arrive all at once, it drifts slowly across the country, carried by the koyo zensen, the “autumn colour front.” It begins in the crisp air of Hokkaido in late September, when the first maples flare red, then moves south week by week until even Kyushu is painted in gold by December. While spring’s cherry blossoms steal most of the attention, autumn is its understated rival: pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and landscapes brushed in amber, crimson, and ochre. End-November is peak viewing in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, when the light softens, the air turns cool, and the country feels like a living scroll painting in motion.
This year, the Japan Meteorological Agency has released its first autumn foliage forecast on September 2, mapping the best dates for peak colours across 700 viewing locations. In Tokyo, expect a canopy of yellow by November 26, followed by the fiery reds of the Iroha maple around November 30. Kyoto will hold out a little longer, with golden hues by late November and deep reds peaking in mid-December. Up north, Sapporo in Hokkaido will lead the season as always, with both red and yellow leaves beginning to turn from November 6 onwards. Here’s where to go to see the best of autumn in Japan.
Tokyo
Tokyo Hachioji Ginkgo Festival
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Come mid-November, the route between Mount Takao and Hachioji turns into a golden tunnel for the Hachioji Ginkgo Festival. More than 770 ginkgo trees, planted in 1929, line a 4km stretch from Koshu Kaido Oiwake Intersection to Ryonan Park and the Kobotoke Checkpoint Ruins, their fan-shaped leaves creating an unbroken canopy of yellow. The festival runs from 9am to 4pm for two days in November and spans 12 venues along the way, each offering something to linger over: local food stalls, regional product exhibitions, and a nostalgic nod to the Showa era with vintage car displays. A classic car parade completes the throwback, making the stroll feel like a slow walk through another time.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Vladimir Zakharov / Getty Images
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