2019 Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast

Latest Update: If you are planning to visit Japan this autumn in 2019 to see autumn leaves, we suggest you to read this page thoroughly. The table shown below indicates where to visit in Japan to see autumn foliage between late September and early December.

In Hokkaido, the fall foliage is expected to begin earlier this year. The surrounding areas of the Mount Asahidake (2290 meters above sea level) and Mount Kurodake (1984 meters) are expected to ablaze with colors in mid September. On the other hand, the fall colors in Sapporo and Jozankei onsen area will be at their peak in Mid October.

Tourists who plan on visiting Honshu Island, especially the major tourists areas like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka to the fall colors may start their journey between Mid November and Early December. Peak leaf season in Kyoto and Tokyo usually arrives in Late November. Please note brilliant fall colors can be seen in Tokyo city till the end of the first week of December.

Fall color vibrancy is completely dependent on weather, so before you head towards any autumn leaves spots in Japan, be sure to visit the local tourist information centers to get the up-to-date fall colors info.

Japan Autumn Colors Reports 2019

17 September, 2019: The surroundings of Mt. Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan National Park are providing spectacular views of the changing leaves.

Autumn Leaves in Japan

Impressive autumn foliage in Kyoto! Photo Credit: halfrain at Flickr.com.

Fall in Japan is one of the most spectacular sights in the world. The country’s unique geography, with its grand mountains and pristine wilderness, offers up fall foliage that can’t be beat. Various subspecies of maple trees have various colors of leaves: red (koyo), yellow (oyo), and brown (katsuyo). Together, they form a mosaic of color against the wild lush countryside of Japan.

Autumn is one of the most delightful and admiring seasons to experience in Japan. Taking a trip to some areas where leaves have turned red & yellow, especially in the mountains, public parks, or temple & shrine grounds is called momijigari in Japanese.

The beauty of the changing leaves has been memorialized by the Japanese tradition of momijigari, which originated in the Heianperiod (794-1195 AD). Momijigari means ‘red leaf hunting’ and is the term used to describe autumn leaf viewing. Among Buddhists, the experience is a reminder that life is fleeting. It has worked its way into Japanese culture. During the fall, you can enjoy maple leaf-shaped cakes and even find maple leaf tempura, time-honored traditions only found around fall when the leaves change.

red_maple_autumn_foliage_japan — Red Maple, Japan. Photo Credit: Marufish at Flickr.

The map shown below indicates that how the autumn foliage season of Japan goes downward from the top elevations. Typically, Japan’s autumn foliage season starts in mid September in the Hokkaido region.

The average time for appearing autumn foliage in Japan may vary depending on temperatures. Before you embark on a fall trip to Japan, you should always be aware of the fall foliage forecast.

Usually, it is published in different media such as on TV, newspaper, radio, website and regional tourist information centers throughout Japan.

You can feel the autumn atmosphere in different places from Mid October to Early December except Hokkaido region. Though some part of Kanto and Chubu regions provide plenty of incredible fall colors in early October.

Japan Autumn Foliage Map for 2019. Photo Credit: Kyuhoshi.com

Are you planning to visit Japan in future? Do you want to learn how to survive while traveling across Japan? Then read this recommended travel guide that tells you about the rules of Japanese etiquette.

One statistic shows that it is difficult to communicate with locals in a foreign language in Japan. To overcome this problem you have to use Pocketalk, a Multilingual Interactive Communication Device. This voice translator is a must have travel accessory alongside this simple pocket WiFi device whenever you visit Japan.

If you are looking for fully-escorted tours to Japan for the 2019 autumn leaves season, please feel free to book a tour package from one of our official partners and get $100 off (Use Promo Code: KYUH). Becki and Shawn at Japan and More offer exclusive Japan tour packages and have extensive knowledge on Japanese culture, history, and attractions.

Region and Place	Estimated Viewing Time	Current State
Hokkaido	Mid September to early November
Tohoku	Early October to Early November
Kanto	Late October to Early December
Chubu	Late October to Early December
Kansai	Early November to Early December
Chugoku	Early November to Late November
Shikoku	Mid November to Early December
Kyushu	Early November to Late November
Daisetsuzan National Park	Early September to Early October
Sapporo	Early October to Late October
Aomori	Early October to Late October
Lake Towada	Early October to Late October
Iwate	Early October to Late October
Miyagi	Mid October to Early November
Alpine Route	Mid October to Mid November
Takayama	Mid October to Mid November
Sakurayama	Early November to Late November
Kamakura	Mid November to Early December
Aichi	Early November to Late November
Nagoya	Mid November to Early December
Tokyo	Late November to Early Decmeber
Kyoto	Mid November to Early December
Nikko	Early October to Mid November
Nara	Early November to Early December
Osaka	Mid November to Early December
Mount Fuji Area	Early November to Early December
Hakone	Early November to Late November
Miyajima	Early November to Late November
Arashiyama	Late November to Early December