The 2026 Fall Leaves Calendar

Late Fall Colors

Fall lovers, get ready: the window to admire the koyo (fall colors) will be narrow this season. As has been the case for several years now, global warming is delaying the arrival of fall across the archipelago. Last year, Tokyo was still hitting 30 °C in October, pushing back the turning of the leaves to early December - for barely two weeks of magic. This year, the weather forecast is a bit more optimistic. However, you’ll need to plan your trip carefully so you don’t miss any of the spectacle!

Ginkgo: Leaves of Gold

Ginkgo trees are the first to take on autumn colors as soon as temperatures drop. In Sapporo, their foliage is expected to turn gold around November 6. In Nagano, the change in color is expected around November 14.

Tokyo and Kyoto will have to wait until the end of November to see theirginkgo-lined avenues turn golden. Osaka will enjoy the phenomenon a little earlier, around November 24, while Fukuoka and Kagoshima will see their trees turn yellow around November 27.

Momiji: The Reddening Maple Leaves

Hokkaido’s momiji will be the first to don their autumn colors, around November 7. In Nagano, they are expected to turn red around November 21, while in Kanazawa, this is expected to happen at the end of the month, just like in Tokyo.

Osaka, on the other hand, won’t turn red until early December. In Kyoto, the leaves are expected to turn red over the weekend of the 11th. Further south, in Fukuoka, the colors are expected to change around December 7, while in Kagoshima, the momiji are expected toturn red around the 10th of the month.

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