Japan Autumn Foliage: Timing, Cities and Route Ideas

Japan's autumn leaves, known as koyo, are another season that Thai travellers love, thanks to cool, comfortable weather that is not bitterly cold and lets you walk all day. Unlike cherry blossoms, the good window in each area is longer, around two to three weeks, so planning is a little easier. It still depends on that year's temperatures: a long hot summer delays colour, while an early chill brings it forward. This guide gives the overall picture to help you decide, not fixed dates for 2026.

The overall timing

The order is the opposite of the blossoms: the north and high ground go first, then the south and the lowlands. Peaks in Hokkaido such as Daisetsuzan often turn before anywhere else, followed by Tohoku and the mountains of Nagano in October. Nikko looks best from mid October into early November, while Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka sit around late November into early December. Kyushu may follow in early to mid December. The simple rule is that the higher and the further north, the earlier the colour.

Table by region

Popular highlights

In Tokyo, Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen are known for Japanese gardens where red leaves reflect in the ponds, while the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien is a favourite yellow photo scene. In Kyoto there is Tofukuji, with a bridge over a valley full of maples, Eikando, famed for its foliage, and the Arashiyama district with its bamboo grove. In Nikko, the view of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji with mountains sloping down is a popular scene of the season. In Hiroshima, Miyajima has the Momijidani valley, whose name refers directly to maple leaves.

• City leaves tend to change later than mountain leaves, so do not rely only on photos from social media.
• Some temples hold special evening illuminations of the leaves; check dates and conditions with the temple directly.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as some spots involve stone steps and slopes.

Lesser-known places

If you would rather skip the Kyoto crowds, try quieter places. Kamakura near Tokyo has temples and colourful woods from late November into December. Takayama and Shirakawa-go in Gifu stand out from October into early November. Kamikochi in Nagano has a short visitor season, and in Kyushu, Kurokawa Onsen is a pleasant place to combine hot springs with the leaves. These options are harder to reach, and some close at the end of the season, so check access in advance.

Booking and getting around

Autumn leaf season is when hotels in Kyoto and Nikko fill quickly, especially on long weekends and holidays. Book rooms you can cancel first and choose ones within walking distance of a station or bus stop. Kyoto buses get very crowded, so rail and walking are often the better options. For farther places like Nikko, check train and bus times beforehand, as late-afternoon services are often fewer. Everywhere, mornings are clearly quieter than afternoons.

Sample routes

1. 1A mid-October routeA couple of nights in Tokyo, then Nikko for a night to see the falls and the lake, before returning to Tokyo or continuing to Nagano.
2. 2A late-November routeThree to four nights in Kyoto, with an early day for the famous temples, a day for Arashiyama and a day for Nara or Osaka, then onward to Hiroshima for Miyajima.
3. 3An early-December routeTokyo and Kamakura for ginkgo avenues and Japanese gardens just reaching their peak, which also avoids the Kyoto crowds.

Travelling between several cities in this season means opening maps, checking train times and looking at whether viewing spots are open quite often. An eSIM installed before the trip lets you run those apps as soon as you step off at a station.

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