Japan Autumn Forecast: The Best Time to Visit Japan This Fall

(SPOT.ph) For most travelers, Japanese springtime's Sakura season is the time to experience Japan at its most beautiful—think a flurry of pink flower petals falling as if on slo-mo. But Japan has another highly aesthetic period you should wait for: autumn. Imagine Tokyo parks surrounded by trees crowned with rich red and golden leaves, your feet walking on more leaves of the same colors. Sounds like your cup of tea?

Check out all you need to know about Japan's autumn foliage season this year.

Also read: The SPOT.ph Guide to Applying for a Japanese Visa

Japan's autumn foliage season should not be missed:

As summer gives way to crisp, cooler air, Japan's landscape takes on an earthier, more vibrant look. Colorful golden, orange, and red leaves are Japan’s autumn version of cherry blossoms. Just like in springtime when the Japanese take part in hanami, during fall, the pastime is called momijari (sometimes called koyo) meaning "leaf peeping" or the art of viewing fall colors.

Although the country is equally beautiful at this time of the year, it's not as popular as Sakura season—which is a good thing, especially if you don't like dealing with hordes of tourists all itching to get that IG-worthy shot.

Here is the schedule for Japan's autumn foliage season this 2024:

Japan's autumn foliage season can be divided into two waves: the yellowing of the Gingko leaves and the peak red era of the Japanese Maple. Don't get us wrong. There are a lot of deciduous trees in Japan that contribute to the autumnal earth-toned landscape, but the Gingko and Japanese Maple undergo the most dramatic and vibrant changes during this time.

While autumn technically starts around mid-September and goes through early December, the landscape reaches its most beautiful from mid-October to November. You can schedule your visit depending on whether you want to see more yellows or reds. Peak colors vary by region, as the changing of colors is influenced by elevation and weather. Lucky for us, we don't have to guess when to visit because the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) releases forecasts for peak yellow and red foliage every year. 

The JMC already released their initial forecasts for the autumn foliage season in 2024 in early September, and it looks like we have more time to plan our fall trips to Japan.

This year, the autumn foliage season is expected to be delayed by over one week. Weather forecasts show that temperatures are still high, and the summer heat is expected to last until mid-October, affecting the cold-dependent transition of leaves from summer green to yellow to red. 

Red autumn foliage forecast

An example of the expected delay in autumn foliage is in the Hokkaido prefecture. Sapporo is forecasted to see red Japanese maple leaves reach their peak red around November 8, 11 days later than usual.

Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto also expect later-than-usual peaks around the first week of December. Southern areas like Fukuoka will also have to wait a little longer, around December 10.

Yellow autumn foliage forecast

But for tourists in it for the romantic golden shower of the yellow Gingko trees, you have to start planning those trips to Japan, stat! Most leaves, particularly those of the Gingko trees, will reach their most golden a month before the peak red season.

You’ll want to hit up Sapporo by November 6 if you want to be the first to chase those fiery hues. As for Tokyo and Osaka, the ginkgo trees peak around the same time—Osaka’s getting a yellow carpet of leaves on November 25, with Tokyo a day later on November 26. And if you’re headed more to the South, like in Fukuoka or Kagoshima, mark November 28 on your calendar because that’s when things are about to go full-on golden.

Note that these forecasts are subject to change. The Japan Meteorological Corporation is expected to release an updated forecast around October. Don't worry. We'll keep an eye on that for you in case there are any major changes.

Where to go for the best autumn views in Japan?

Japan is rich in parks and gardens where you can catch the autumn foliage at its best. There are over 700 different national parks where you can participate in momijari or koyo. In fact, in the Expedia Travel Group's Fall 2024 Outlook, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka are listed as some of the top destinations worldwide for autumn travel.

Some of the popular destinations to visit for momijari or koyo include:

• Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen

• Tokyo's Yoyogi Park

• Kyoto's Arashiyama

• Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple

• Osaka Castle

• Osaka's Midosuji Street

For more information, visit Japan Meteorological Corporation's website. 

Also read:
10 Under-the-Radar Destinations in Tokyo and Kansai for Your Japan Revenge Trip
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The SPOT.ph Guide to Exploring Tokyo by Train

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