2018 Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast

Latest update:

September 21, 2018 – The fall foliage season has finally arrived in Japan. The Daisetsuzan National Park in the Hokkaido region has reached its peak color! The surrounding areas of the Mount Asahidake and Mount Kurodake are currently ablaze with colors. It’s obvious that the fall colors there are at their peak!

September 30, 2018 – Visitors traveling along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route now can also see fall foliage at Murodo, and Tateyama Ropeway.

October 09, 2018 – People visiting Nasu Onsen now can see incredible fall foliage vistas. It’s peak colors there!

October 15, 2018 – The best time to see autumn foliage has arrived! Visit Jozankei Onsen in Sapporo to see gorgeous fall foliage.

October 17, 2018 – It’s peak color around Yumoto Onsen area in Nikko. On the other hand, it would take at least a week or few more days to see the best fall foliage around Lake Chuzenji.

October 20, 2018 – Anyone traveling to Sapporo this weekend should visit Mount Moiwa, Makomanai Park, Maruyama Park, and Nakajima Park. Autumn leaves there are looking gorgeous now!

October 24, 2018 – Visit Hirosaki Park in Aomori to be impressed by fall foliage.

November 07, 2018 – Naruko Gorge, one of the famous fall foliage spots in the Tohoku region is at peak colors.

November 8, 2018 – Trees along the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko are approaching peak colors.

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 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.

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

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 2018. 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 2018 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.

Kamakura is one of the highly recommended places that you will fall in love with during autumn. It makes a perfect day trip from Tokyo. Enjoy your day trip seeing the gorgeous fall foliage in the city, and learn the history of its incredible landmarks from Peter – an experienced English speaking private tour guide based in Kamakura.

Region and Place	Estimated Viewing Time	Current State
Hokkaido	Late September to Late October
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
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	Peak colors
Kamakura	Mid November to Early December
Aichi	Early November to Late November
Nagoya	Mid November to Early December
Tokyo	Late November to Early Decmeber	Starting to change
Kyoto	Mid November to Early December	Starting to change
Nikko	Early October to Mid November
Nara	Early November to Early December
Osaka	Mid November to Early December	Starting to change
Mount Fuji Area	Early November to Early December	Peak colors
Hakone	Early November to Late November	Starting to change
Miyajima	Early November to Late November
Arashiyama	Late November to Early December	Starting to change