Japan’s Autumn Leaves Are Running Late This Year. Here’s When to Go

In Japan, November means one thing on the news, on Instagram and in every conversation about weekend plans: 紅葉 (kōyō), the autumn leaves.

But if you’ve been waiting for the maples to turn red this year, you may have noticed something. They’re late.

Why the leaves are behind schedule

Leaves change color when temperatures drop — especially when nights get cold. In 2026, Japan’s summer heat lingered well into autumn, so forecasters have been saying the same phrase all season: 平年より遅め (heinen yori osome), “a bit later than an average year.”

The good news, according to Weathernews’ third forecast of the season (released October 30), is that sunshine returned in October, so the colors are recovering nicely. Late doesn’t mean disappointing.

When to go: the latest forecasts

Forecasts change with the weather, so treat these as a guide:

• Mt. Takao (Tokyo): around November 13
• Miyajima (Hiroshima): around November 21
• Arashiyama (Kyoto) and Korankei (Aichi): around November 23
• Central Tokyo: the Japan Weather Association’s earlier forecast puts maples at their best around November 29, with ginkgo trees (銀杏, ichō) turning gold around November 26

If you’re in Tokyo, that means two chances: a mountain trip to Takao in mid-November, then city leaves — like the famous ginkgo avenues — at the end of the month.

In spring Japan chases cherry blossoms. In autumn, it chases maples.

The word you’ll hear everywhere: 見頃

If you learn one word this month, make it 見頃 (migoro). It means “the best time to see something,” and it’s all over weather reports, travel sites and train station posters.

You’ll also see these on forecast maps:

• 色づき始め (irozuki hajime) — starting to change color
• 見頃 (migoro) — at its peak
• 見頃過ぎ (migoro sugi) — past its peak
• 落葉 (rakuyō) — leaves have fallen

Weather maps in Japan often use these four stages with colors, a bit like a progress bar for autumn.

One kanji, two readings

Here’s a fun trap for learners: 紅葉 can be read two ways.

• こうよう (kōyō) — autumn leaves in general, the seasonal phenomenon
• もみじ (momiji) — maple trees and their red leaves specifically

In casual conversation, people use both, and context tells you which one. This happens a lot in Japanese: one kanji word, a formal reading and a native reading.

How to plan like a local

1. Check the forecast the week you go — they update regularly.
2. Go early in the morning. Popular spots like Arashiyama get extremely crowded (混雑, konzatsu) by midday.
3. Look for ライトアップ (raito appu, “light-up”) events — many temples illuminate their leaves at night.

Whether you go to a mountain, a temple or just the park down the street, autumn in Japan is short. When someone says 今が見頃だよ (“it’s at its best right now”), don’t wait.

Looking for something to eat on the way? Our konbini guide has the seasonal snack words you need.