Autumn in Japan is a breathtaking time of year, where nature puts on its most colorful show and cultural traditions take center stage. From vibrant red maple leaves to comforting seasonal dishes and festive events, autumn is arguably the best season to experience the harmony of Japan’s natural beauty and cultural depth.
In Japan, leaf-peeping is more than a pastime, it’s a national ritual. While “kouyou” refers broadly to the changing colors of leaves, “momiji” more specifically describes red maple leaves, a symbol of autumn in Japan. Parks and temples across the country draw huge crowds who come to admire these fleeting moments of beauty, echoing the deeply ingrained cultural value of “mono no aware”, an appreciation for the impermanence of life.
Autumn Leaves Forecast
Autumn in Japan is a beautiful time when the leaves on trees change their colors before shedding them for the winter. This brief period is known locally as kouyou (紅葉) or momiji, with the same kanji. These two words have different meanings, where kouyou is used to describe the trees turning from green to red, and momiji specifically describes the brilliant red maple leaves. Each year, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) releases its forecasted dates for the beginning of this season. Check out our more complete guide for Japan’s autumn leaves forecast for 2025!
| Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast 2025 | ||||
| Location | Forecast for Red Leaves | Average Date for Red Leaves | Forecast for Yellow Leaves | Average Date for Yellow Leaves |
| Sapporo | 11/8 | 10/28 | 11/5 | 11/4 |
| Aomori | 11/19 | 11/13 | 11/8 | 11/2 |
| Sendai | 12/2 | 11/21 | 12/3 | 11/23 |
| Tokyo | 12/5 | 11/28 | 11/30 | 11/23 |
| Kanazawa | 12/4 | 11/24 | 11/14 | 11/10 |
| Nagano | 12/1 | 11/12 | 11/20 | 11/10 |
| Nagoya | 12/9 | 11/28 | 11/25 | 11/18 |
| Kyoto | 12/18 | 12/5 | 12/3 | 11/24 |
| Osaka | 12/9 | 12/1 | 11/29 | 11/22 |
| Wakayama | 12/18 | 12/6 | 12/2 | 11/23 |
| Hiroshima | 12/4 | 11/22 | 11/25 | 11/15 |
| Kochi | 12/15 | 12/2 | 11/23 | 11/15 |
| Fukuoka | 12/15 | 12/1 | 12/3 | 11/20 |
| Kagoshima | 12/21 | 12/15 | 12/4 | 11/25 |
The Season of Harvest
Autumn is traditionally a time for harvest in Japan, and the season is associated with abundance and gratitude. Festivals such as Niiname-sai (新嘗祭), a Shinto ritual where offerings of the first harvest are made to the gods, highlight the spiritual connection to the land and its produce. Rice, vegetables, and fruits like persimmons, chestnuts, and mushrooms are commonly enjoyed. In addition to the harvest, culturally it is associated with calm and reflection. The beauty of the foliage is commonly associated with mono no aware (物の哀れ), which is an idiom that represents the “pathos of things” or, more literally, “empathy towards things.” Like the hanami celebrations of the spring, kouyou is also associated with impermanence and the transience of things.
Autumn in Japan: A Season Full of Meaning
Autumn is associated with reflection, abundance, and spiritual connection. It marks the harvest season, when festivals like Niinamesai (新嘗祭) are held to give thanks for the year’s crops. Traditional foods like sweet potatoes, persimmons, chestnuts, and matsutake mushrooms are at their most flavorful, all part of the shun (旬) concept: eating seasonal delicacies at their peak. This is also the season of Halloween in Japan. While trick-or-treating is not as common as in the U.S., people often use this time to dress up. In recent years, however, heavily populated areas like Shibuya in Tokyo have begun implementing strict restrictions on Halloween celebrations.
Many families also go out for momijigari (紅葉狩り), or “autumn leaf hunting,” to picnic and take in the vivid scenery, often paired with bento lunches and warm tea.
Autumn Festivals
Autumn brings many traditional festivals, such as Tsukimi (月見), which celebrates the beauty of the autumn moon. People gather to enjoy seasonal foods like mochi and reflect on the harvest. Other notable festivals include Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) in Kyoto and kurama no hi matsuri (鞍馬の火祭), a fire festival at Kyoto’s Kurama Temple. In addition to this, autumn is also a time for seasonal comfort dishes, called shun (旬). Common foods include matsutake mushrooms and sweet potatoes, which are believed to warm the body as the weather cools for the winter. Sweets like persimmons and chestnut-flavored sweets are also commonly eaten at this time.
The Coming Winter
Autumn also signifies the end of the hot, humid summers that Japan is infamous for. Autumn brings cool, pleasant weather, where people begin partaking in more outdoor activities such as hiking and domestic travel. Many people travel around to see the kouyou in places such as Nikko, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. The lush forests of these areas are popular spots to view the changing leaves.
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan
Whether you’re in the north or south of the country, Japan offers incredible kouyou spots that blend natural beauty with cultural heritage.
1. Kyoto – The Timeless Classic
Kyoto is perhaps the most iconic location for autumn leaf viewing. From the fiery reds at Kiyomizu-dera to the golden hues in Arashiyama, every temple, garden, and mountainside becomes a canvas of color.
Must-visit spots:
- Tofuku-ji Temple (late November)
- Eikando (late November to early December)
- Ruriko-in (limited seasonal opening)
2. Fuji Five Lakes (Yamanashi)
With Mt. Fuji in the background, the scenery around Lake Kawaguchi is stunning in autumn. Visit during late October to mid-November for peak foliage, and enjoy the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, where trees are lit up at night.
3. Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture)
Just two hours from Tokyo, Nikko combines kouyou with cultural exploration. The lavish Toshogu Shrine and the surrounding Daiya River offer one of the best blends of nature and architecture. The colors usually peak in late October to early November.
Bonus: Nearby Lake Chuzenji and Irohazaka Winding Road are spectacular for scenic drives.
4. Hokkaido – First to Turn
In northern Japan, Hokkaido is the first to welcome autumn. If you’re chasing the season, start here!
- Daisetsuzan National Park (early October)
- Shiretoko National Park
- Jozankei Onsen – soak in an onsen while surrounded by vibrant maple leaves.
5. Tokyo’s Urban Gardens
Even in Japan’s bustling capital, you can enjoy kouyou.
- Yoyogi Park – wide, walkable spaces under canopies of color
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Rikugien Garden – known for its nighttime illuminations
Cultural Traditions & Foods of Autumn in Japan
Autumn in Japan isn’t just about the scenery, it’s also a deeply cultural and culinary season, filled with symbolism, tradition, and seasonal delights.
🍁 Mono no Aware: The Beauty of Impermanence
The appreciation of autumn leaves is tied to the Japanese concept of mono no aware (物の哀れ), a poetic sensitivity to the fleeting nature of life. Just as cherry blossoms represent the ephemeral beauty of spring, autumn leaves evoke quiet reflection and the gentle passage of time. Many locals go on kouyou trips (leaf-viewing excursions), combining walks in nature with moments of stillness and gratitude.
🌕 Tsukimi – The Moon Viewing Festival
Held in mid-autumn (usually in September), Tsukimi (月見) is a centuries-old tradition of admiring the harvest moon. People decorate with susuki (pampas grass) and enjoy seasonal sweets like tsukimi dango (rice dumplings) and sweet potatoes. It’s a moment to reflect on the harvest and give thanks.
🍇 Autumn Foods to Try
Autumn is considered the season of appetite (shokuyoku no aki 食欲の秋), and for good reason! Seasonal specialties, or shun (旬) foods, are believed to be at their most flavorful and nutritious during this time.
- Matsutake mushrooms – fragrant and prized
- Sweet potatoes (yaki-imo 焼き芋) – sold from trucks on the street
- Kuri (chestnuts) – roasted or used in desserts like kuri manju
- Persimmons (kaki 柿) – both fresh and dried (hoshigaki)
- Sanma (Pacific saury) – a seasonal grilled fish with salt
A classic autumn day might involve hiking through colorful foliage, followed by a hot meal of sanma and miso soup, finished with chestnut-flavored wagashi and green tea.
Want to Experience Autumn in Japan?
Now’s the perfect time! 🍁
Whether you’re dreaming of strolling under golden maple leaves, trying seasonal treats, or joining traditional festivals, autumn is the ideal season to fall in love with Japan.
At Coto School Finder, we help you find the perfect Japanese language school, completely for free. From big cities to quiet countryside towns, we match your goals with the best-fit schools, and help you get a student visa.
FAQ
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan?
The peak season varies by region. In general, Hokkaido starts in early November, and Tokyo and Kyoto follow in late November to early December.
What are the best places to enjoy autumn foliage (kouyou)?
Kyoto (Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera), Nikko (Toshogu Shrine), and Hokkaido (Daisetsuzan Park) are top picks. Even Tokyo has great spots like Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen.
What should I wear during autumn in Japan?
Bring layers! Autumn days can be warm, but mornings and evenings are cooler. A light jacket or sweater is ideal.
Are there any special events during autumn?
Yes! Autumn festivals like Tsukimi (Moon Viewing), Jidai Matsuri, and Kurama no Hi Matsuri are held throughout the season, along with local food fairs and illumination events.
Can I study in Japan during the fall season?
Absolutely! Many Japanese language schools offer October or January intakes — which means you can experience the beauty of fall while starting your studies.
