Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast 2025: Later Maple Peaks Expected From Tokyo to Kyoto

Warm autumn pushes the brightest reds toward December

Tokyo is forecast to reach its best red maple color around December 1, Osaka around December 5 and Kyoto around December 12, according to the Japan Meteorological Corporation's second national autumn foliage forecast, released on October 2. The 2025 season is expected to arrive later than usual in many parts of Japan as warm weather lingers into autumn.

Yellow ginkgo trees are following a different timetable. Their color change is expected to stay close to the usual schedule in many cities, including much of Honshu and Shikoku. Red maples are more likely to peak later than normal, especially in northern and inland areas.

Sapporo offers an earlier start, with yellow ginkgo forecast around November 7 and red maples around November 9. Farther south, Fukuoka's red maple peak is projected for December 9, while Kagoshima and Wakayama are both forecast for December 13.

The seasonal progression will still move from Hokkaido toward Kyushu and from cooler mountain slopes into lower neighborhoods. For visitors concentrating on city parks and temple gardens in central and western Japan, the most dependable broad window runs from the final third of November into the first half of December.

Elevation creates an important difference within each destination. Mountain areas can change color one to two weeks before nearby city centers because their nights are cooler. A trip to a highland valley and a walk through an urban garden can therefore catch different stages of autumn, even within the same prefecture.

The outlook remains subject to changes as temperatures fall. The forecasting team's next comprehensive update is scheduled for early November, giving travelers another opportunity to adjust plans before many of the major city peaks.

Two kinds of trees, two viewing calendars

The October 2 outlook separates yellow ginkgo dates from red maple dates. That makes a difference for anyone choosing between a golden avenue and a garden filled with scarlet leaves. The two displays can fall close together in some cities and much farther apart in others.

Japan Weather Association projections follow a similar broad pattern: peak viewing is expected around the usual time or later in northern and eastern Japan, while many parts of western Japan are expected to follow a near normal schedule. The association defines the maple peak as the stage when most leaves on maple trees have turned red.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation's yellow ginkgo viewing dates are:

• Sapporo: November 7.
• Aomori: November 7.
• Kanazawa: November 12.
• Nagano: November 17.
• Kochi: November 17.
• Nagoya: November 19.
• Hiroshima: November 21.
• Osaka: November 24.
• Tokyo: November 27.
• Wakayama: November 27.
• Kyoto: November 28.
• Fukuoka: November 28.
• Kagoshima: November 29.

The corresponding red maple dates are:

• Sapporo: November 9.
• Aomori: November 14.
• Nagano: November 24.
• Hiroshima: November 28.
• Tokyo: December 1.
• Kanazawa: December 1.
• Nagoya: December 3.
• Osaka: December 5.
• Fukuoka: December 9.
• Kochi: December 10.
• Kyoto: December 12.
• Wakayama: December 13.
• Kagoshima: December 13.

These dates serve as targets for the expected best viewing week in each city. Parks in the mountains, river valleys and individual gardens can run several days earlier or later, so the city calendar is a starting point for planning an outing.

Why warmer nights slow the color change

Shorter days tell trees that the growing season is ending. Cool nights help break down chlorophyll, the pigment that makes leaves green, allowing yellow and orange pigments to become visible in ginkgo and many other species.

Maples also produce red pigments called anthocyanins. Cool, sunny days and crisp nights encourage that process. When October stays warm, the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is smaller, and the chemical changes inside the leaves slow down.

Japan Weather Association, which publishes a national peak viewing forecast, describes the temperature connection this way:

The timing of peak autumn foliage depends on autumn temperatures: cooler weather accelerates color change, while warmer weather delays it.

Summer heat lingered into the 2025 season, and national temperature outlooks call for above average warmth through much of October. Cooling nights in November are expected to speed up the change, bringing many central and western destinations into their strongest color from late November to early December.

Sunshine, early frosts, wind and rainfall can also move the dates by a few days. Strong winds may strip leaves soon after their peak. A wet, cloudy spell can leave colors less vivid, while sunny, dry weather with cool nights supports the brightest reds. The weather affects both when a display arrives and how long visitors have to enjoy it.

Hokkaido and Tohoku offer an earlier start

Sapporo's forecast puts its two main displays close together: November 7 for yellow ginkgo and November 9 for red maples. Hokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue, a straight avenue of golden trees, is a seasonal highlight that peaks in early November.

Higher terrain in Daisetsuzan and the Jozankei area changes earlier, often during October. Alpine hikes therefore offer access to the first part of the season, while Jozankei Onsen is another foliage destination near Sapporo.

Aomori is forecast to reach yellow ginkgo color around November 7 and red maple color around November 14. Elsewhere in the northern Tohoku region, streams and gorges around Oirase and Lake Towada offer their autumn displays from early to mid November.

Travelers arriving before the main city season farther south can focus on Hokkaido, Aomori or mountain areas in Tohoku. Moving from higher ground toward lower areas follows the same temperature pattern that carries the season south across Japan.

Tokyo and Chubu span several stages of autumn

Tokyo's forecast centers on November 27 for yellow ginkgo and December 1 for red maples. Meiji Jingu Gaien is a destination for golden ginkgo, while Rikugien Garden offers evening foliage scenes. The last days of November provide a planning window for visitors hoping to see both yellow and red leaves.

Nikko changes earlier than central Tokyo. Viewpoints around its higher lakes are expected to show color from mid to late October, with areas closer to town following in early November. Lake Kawaguchi's Maple Corridor near Mount Fuji offers another option, with color ranging from early to late November depending on elevation.

Nagano's highlands reach their autumn display from late October to early November, ahead of the city center. The city forecast calls for yellow ginkgo on November 17 and red maples on November 24. Zenkoji's precincts offer an urban stop, while Kamikochi and Togakushi are options for earlier hikes.

Kanazawa has a wider separation between its two forecast dates: November 12 for yellow ginkgo and December 1 for red maples. Kenrokuen Garden and nearby streets are places to see its late autumn color.

Nagoya is forecast to reach yellow ginkgo color on November 19 and red maple color on December 3. Outside the city, Korankei Gorge is one of the region's vivid maple valleys. As elsewhere, a valley or mountain outing may follow a different schedule from the city date.

Kansai and western Japan head for a late finish

Osaka's yellow ginkgo peak is forecast for November 24, followed by red maples around December 5. Osaka Castle Park and Minoo Park are accessible options for visitors building a foliage trip around the city.

Kyoto's yellow ginkgo date is November 28, while its red maple peak is projected for December 12. The maple season therefore points toward early to mid December. Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama are major viewing destinations, with Yoshimine-dera offering a quieter alternative.

Nighttime illuminations bring seasonal evening visits to Kyoto's temple precincts. Travelers should check the operating periods for individual events and reserve temple event tickets ahead, alongside accommodation. The last few days of November are also a suggested window for seeking a mixture of ginkgo and maple color in Kyoto.

Kobe and Nara are expected to follow a similar seasonal rhythm to the wider Kansai region. Wakayama's forecast places yellow ginkgo on November 27 and red maples on December 13, extending the region's viewing opportunities into mid December.

Hiroshima is forecast for yellow ginkgo on November 21 and red maples on November 28. Miyajima's Momijidani Park, a maple valley near Itsukushima Shrine, is usually at its best in late November.

Kochi, on Shikoku, has a yellow ginkgo forecast of November 17 and a red maple forecast of December 10. Across these western destinations, a single arrival date can coincide with different stages of the season depending on the city and the type of tree.

Kyushu extends viewing into mid December

Fukuoka's yellow ginkgo date is November 28, with red maples expected around December 9. Maizuru Park and Yusentei Park are suggested places to see the city's autumn color.

Kagoshima follows with yellow ginkgo around November 29 and red maples around December 13. Senganen Garden combines foliage with views of Sakurajima, giving visitors a setting that includes both autumn leaves and the surrounding landscape.

Kyushu offers an option for travelers arriving toward the end of the season. Along with Kyoto, Osaka, Wakayama and Kochi, Fukuoka and Kagoshima are destinations to consider when planning around later color.

A journey following the season can begin in Hokkaido or the Tohoku mountains, continue through Kansai and finish in Kyushu. The same approach works over shorter distances by moving from mountain viewpoints to lower city gardens as autumn advances.

More gardens and riverside places to consider

Tokyo has alternatives beyond its best known foliage stops. Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a spacious historic garden with maple tunnels and golden ginkgo. Kiyosumi Garden has a pond that reflects red and yellow leaves, while Koishikawa Korakuen combines scarlet maples with stone bridges and classic garden scenery.

Zenpukujigawa Green Space and Wadabori Park offer riverside paths lined with ginkgo and maples. In neighboring Chiba, Ichikawa Ekoin Temple has a small garden with vivid maple color.

These places can be combined with major sights rather than treated as a separate itinerary. Famous destinations and quieter gardens provide different ways to spend the same viewing period, particularly when visitors want alternatives to the busiest locations.

Even within one city, a shrine on a hillside can reach peak color days before a riverside park. Checking the condition of the individual destination shortly before a visit helps turn the broad city forecast into a more useful daily plan.

Plan around a window and check the next update

Late November to early December is the broad planning period for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa and Hiroshima, with Kyoto's projected red maple peak falling later, on December 12. Visitors arriving earlier can look toward northern Japan, the Japanese Alps and Nikko's higher areas.

Allowing two to three days in each city gives a trip room for weather changes. Kyoto hotels and temple event tickets should be reserved well ahead. Opening time visits and weekdays are ways to avoid the busiest crowds at major sights.

Layers and a light rain shell are useful because nights can be brisk. Evening illuminations often operate for limited periods, making event calendars part of the planning process. Museums and covered shopping streets provide alternatives during poor weather.

Rail passes or IC cards can provide flexibility, with trains reaching most foliage districts quickly. Updated color reports checked a few days before each outing can help visitors choose between a city park, a valley and a higher viewpoint.

The forecasting calendar and the main seasonal milestones are:

• October 2: Japan Meteorological Corporation released its second national autumn foliage forecast.
• October: Above average warmth is expected through much of the month; higher areas in Hokkaido and around Nikko offer earlier color.
• Early November: The next comprehensive forecast update is scheduled.
• November 7 to 14: Sapporo and Aomori reach their forecast ginkgo and maple dates.
• Late November to early December: Many city parks and gardens in central and western Japan enter their main viewing period.
• December 9 to 13: Forecast red maple peaks arrive in Fukuoka, Kochi, Kyoto, Wakayama and Kagoshima.

How the forecasts turn temperatures into dates

Forecast providers use decades of observed leaf coloring dates, temperature patterns and elevation information to estimate the best viewing week for cities and major destinations. Japan Meteorological Corporation compiles separate dates for yellow ginkgo and red maple across hundreds of locations.

Japan Weather Association studies the relationship between temperatures and past maple coloring, then publishes national maps and peak viewing windows. Its updates begin in late September and continue through November, including releases in October and November.

The association's autumn foliage forecast provides its official outlook and maps. Following updates matters because the cooling pattern during the weeks before peak affects the eventual viewing dates.

For travelers, the practical approach is to choose a city window first, then check individual parks and gardens as the trip approaches. Northern latitude, elevation and the weather together explain why a mountain walk in October and a temple visit in December can both belong to Japan's autumn foliage season.

What to Know

• Japan Meteorological Corporation released its second 2025 autumn foliage forecast on October 2.
• Ginkgo timing is close to usual in many cities; red maple peaks are expected later in many northern and inland areas.
• Sapporo is forecast for yellow ginkgo on November 7 and red maples on November 9.
• Tokyo's forecast dates are November 27 for yellow and December 1 for red.
• Osaka is forecast for yellow on November 24 and red on December 5; Kyoto's red maple peak is projected for December 12.
• Fukuoka's red maple date is December 9, followed by Kagoshima and Wakayama on December 13.
• Mountain areas can change one to two weeks before nearby city centers.
• The next comprehensive forecast update is scheduled for early November.
• Wind, rain and cloud cover can affect the strength and duration of the display, making flexible travel windows useful.