Are you planning to visit Japan for autumn leaves viewing? Looking for the best spots to enjoy autumn leaves in Japan? The autumn color season in Japan is as beautiful as cherry blossom season, as maples and other autumn leaves slowly turns the whole country into vivid red, yellow and orange colors.

In case you are wondering when is the best time to enjoy autumn leaves in Japan, please check out the Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast to plan a perfect autumn trip to Japan 🙂

The Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast includes a map of Japan with the estimated best viewing time of autumn leaves and a chart with the estimated starting time of tinting at popular cities and sites in Japan. Also, there is a list of the best autumn leaves spots in Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto and more! Don’t miss the best moment to enjoy beautiful autumn colors in Japan 😉

-2024 Autumn Leaves in Japan

This autumn, temperatures are predicted be warmer than average nationwide. As a result, the best viewing time of autumn leaves is expected to be same as average in Western Japan, and same or slightly later than average in Eastern and Northern Japan.

The estimated best viewing times of autumn leaves in 2024 at popular tourist sites in Japan are: early December in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, mid October to mid November in Mt Fuji area and Nikko and mid to late November in Hakone.

 You can check more places listed at the bottom part of this article.

***NOTE***
The information on Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast 2024 may change due to unexpected temperature changes, rain and wind, that may affect on leaves to quicken or delay the best viewing times.

-Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast Map 2024

The map and the table below indicate the estimated best viewing time of autumn leaves in Japan this year by city and region. The best viewing times range between early October to early December from north to south, and the peak viewing time at each spot lasts about 2 weeks or longer depending on the weather condition.

In Northern Japan including Hokkaido and Tohoku region, the autumn leaves season typically starts about 1 month earlier than other parts of Japan, and even earlier in mountainous areas. The earliest autumn leaves are often spotted at Sounkyo in Hokkaido in late August every year. In contrast, autumn colors can be seen as late as mid December in the west part of Japan.

While the peak viewing time of cherry blossoms is commonly around 7 days, autumn leaves can be enjoyed for longer period in Japan, which makes easy for travellers to plan a trip and also avoid concentrated crowds.

Please check out the best viewing time and spots in Japan with out latest autumn leaves forecast map below!

-Where to See Autumn Leaves in Japan in 2024

There are numbers of amazing autumn leaves viewing spots in Japan including parks, gardens, temples, shrines and mountains, and spectacular autumn leaves can be enjoyed in both cities and nature.

Moreover, during the peak season, many places hold autumn leaves festivals and special events including night light-ups where you can enjoy illuminated leaves. So let’s check out the best places to see autumn colors in Japan in 2024!

Hokkaido and Tohoku area: early October to mid November

The autumn leaves in Japan kicks off in Hokkaido and Tohoku region, where the temperature drops earlier than other parts of Japan. Beautifully tinted mountains, countryside scenery and historic monuments, you can enjoy the autumn leaves with an abundance of nature and unspoiled rural landscape. Recommended autumn leaves spots in Hokkaido and Tohoku region includes Mt. Asahi, Jozankei Onsen, Lake Towada and Yamadera.

More spots
▶ Best Autumn Leave Spots in Hokkaido
▶ Best Autumn Leave Spots in Tohoku

Kanto area: mid October to early December

Kanto area comprises of seven prefectures including Tokyo Metropolis. With the great diversity of city and nature, a range of autumn leaves viewing spots can be found within the area. If you are visiting Tokyo, take a little escape to countryside to enjoy the lush nature outside of the city. Recommended autumn leaves viewing spots in Kanto are Hakone, Mt.Oyama, Nikko, Nagatoro and Yoro Keikoku Valley.

More spots
▶ 5 Best Spots in Kanto Area
▶ 5 Best Spots in Kanagawa

Tokyo: late November to early December

Although Tokyo is the city of concrete jungle, there are numbers of great spots to indulge autumn colours in and outside of the city such as traditional Japanese gardens, parks and avenues. Here are top spots for autumn leaves viewing in Tokyo: Rikugien Garden, Mejiro Garden, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Meiji Jingu Gaien, Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, Mt.Takao and Okutama.

More spots
▶ 10 Best Spots in Tokyo
▶ 5 Best Ginkgo Tree Spots in Tokyo
▶  Best Night Autumn Leaves Spots,

Mt Fuji area and Central Japan: mid October to mid November

Mt Fuji is a symbol of the country and a popular tourist destination all year round. In Central Japan, there are numbers of spots to enjoy autumn leaves together with unspoiled nature and beautiful landscape. The top sites for autumn leaves includes Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko, Kamikochi, Shirakawago and Kenrokuen Garden.

More spots ▶ Best Places to See Autumn Leaves around Mt Fuji

Kyoto: late November to early December

Kyoto is a top site for autumn leaves viewing in Japan and gorgeous autumn colours are displayed at numbers of Kyoto’s historic monuments. The beauty of Kyoto’s autumn leaves can be appreciated not only during day but also at at night as many temples and shrines hold light-up events after dark during the autumn leaves season. The most popular autumn leaves spots in Kyoto are Enrian Temple, Enkoji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, Tofukuji Temple, Kodaiji Temple, Jojakkoji Temple, Gioji Temple, Arashiyama area

More spots ▶ 10 Best Autumn Leaves Spots in Kyoto

Osaka and Western Japan: mid November to early December

Osaka and the rest of Western Japan welcomes autumn tint in late November. The astonishing autumn scenery can be spotted at many sites including city avenues, parks, historical sites and mountains until middle of December. The top sites for autumn leaves are Minoo Park, Osaka Castle, Tanzan Shrine, Hoshida Park, Seiryu-ji Tokugen-in Temple, Keisoji Temple, Ankokuji Temple and Miyajima.

More spots
▶ 5 Best Autumn Leaves Spots in Osaka
▶ Best Autumn Leaves Spots in Kyushu

More Autumn Leaves Spots in Japan

▶ 10 Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan
▶ 5 Best Temples in Kyoto Where You Should Visit at Night
▶ 7 Most Gorgeous Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Autumn flowers in Japan

Besides autumn leaves, there are various seasonal flowers and plants flourishing across the country during autumn including Kochia and pampas grass! Check out the best autumn flowers in Japan from the links below.

▶ Kochia Carnival at Hitachi Seaside Park Autumn
▶ Kinchakuda Higanbana Fields: Enjoy Fiery Red Flowers near Tokyo!
▶ Cosmos Field at Yamanakako Hananomiyako Koen
▶ Minowa Red Soba Flower Field
▶ Hakone Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field

Check out Japan’s top spots autumn leaves viewing from the following link!

A wide variety of autumn leaves can be seen in Japan including red maple and yellow ginkgo. You can check the different types of autumn leaves in Japan from the link below!

Hope you liked our “Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast”. Let’s explore beautiful Japan this autumn! For more seasonal information/events in Japan? Then you may wanna check out these articles below, too!

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