← Blog · Published 2026-10-19 · Prices checked October 2026

Japan autumn leaves 2026: when to see the colours in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka

Few sights match Kyoto's temples framed by scarlet maples, or Tokyo's avenues of golden ginkgo. Autumn colour, called koyo in Japanese, is one of the most rewarding times to visit Japan from the UK. It's also late this year. Here's what the 2026 forecast says, where to go, and how to plan a comfortable trip at short notice.

The 2026 forecast: later than usual

The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) published its second autumn foliage forecast for 2026 on 1 October. A long, warm end to summer means many places are running later than average. JMC's forecast dates for leaves turning colour are:

• Tokyo: ginkgo turning yellow around 26 November and maples turning red around 28 November, which is about average for the city.
• Kyoto: ginkgo around 27 November and maples around 11 December, compared with an average of 5 December for the maples.
• Osaka: ginkgo around 24 November and maples around 4 December.

These dates mark when most leaves on JMC's sample trees have changed colour, and the best viewing usually lasts a week or two from then. In practice, late November is the sweet spot in Tokyo. In Kyoto, colour builds through late November and should hold well into the first half of December this year. Cooler hillside temples often colour a few days earlier than the city centre. JMC's next update is due in early November, so check it before you finalise dates.

Where to see autumn colour in Tokyo

• Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue: the city's famous tunnel of yellow, at its best at the end of November.
• Shinjuku Gyoen: a large garden with maples, ginkgo and space to breathe.
• Rikugien: a classic strolling garden, beautiful in the late afternoon.
• Mount Takao: an easy train ride west of the city for hillside colour. Go on a weekday, because weekends are very busy.

Our Tokyo guide covers neighbourhoods and where to stay.

Where to see autumn colour in Kyoto

• Tofuku-ji: a valley of maples seen from a wooden bridge. Arrive at opening time.
• Eikan-do: one of Kyoto's best-loved maple temples.
• Kiyomizu-dera: the wooden stage above a sea of red, and lovely in the early morning.
• Arashiyama: maples on the hills around the river. Combine it with the bamboo grove at dawn.
• Northern Kyoto: Ohara and Kurama are cooler and often colour earlier than the centre.

Many temples hold evening illuminations in autumn. Times and ticket arrangements vary, so check each temple's own website.

Where to see autumn colour in Osaka

• Minoo Park: a forest trail to a waterfall, just north of the city. Try the local fried maple-leaf tempura.
• Osaka Castle Park: ginkgo and maples around the moat, and easy to fit into a city day.
• Expo '70 Commemorative Park: wide open spaces and a Japanese garden.

A comfortable seven-day autumn plan

• Days 1 to 3, Tokyo: the ginkgo avenue, Shinjuku Gyoen and a weekday trip to Mount Takao.
• Days 4 to 6, Kyoto: take the Nozomi Shinkansen (about 2 hours 10 to 15 minutes). Start early at Tofuku-ji, spend an afternoon in Higashiyama and visit an evening illumination. Spend day six in Arashiyama or Ohara.
• Day 7, Osaka: about 15 minutes by Shinkansen, or around 30 minutes on a JR Special Rapid. Visit Minoo or Osaka Castle, then fly home from Kansai.

Flying into Tokyo and home from Osaka (an open-jaw ticket) saves backtracking. British Airways, JAL and ANA fly direct from Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda.

Smart booking at short notice

• Book Kyoto first: hotels there fill up fastest in autumn. If central Kyoto is full or expensive, stay in Osaka and day-trip. The trains are quick and frequent.
• Choose free cancellation: lock in a refundable room on Booking.com or Agoda now, and rebook if a better rate appears once the next forecast is out.
• Weekdays and early mornings: the big temples are much calmer before 9am and on weekdays.
• Rail tickets: for a one-way Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka trip, single Shinkansen tickets usually cost less than the 7-day Japan Rail Pass, which rose to ¥53,000 on 1 October 2026. Our guide to the cheapest week in Japan has the numbers.
• Luggage: on the Tokaido Shinkansen, bags over 160 cm in total dimensions need an oversized-baggage seat reservation. Sending bags ahead from your hotel is easier.
• VPN tip for Japan: public Wi-Fi is everywhere. A reputable VPN on your phone is a sensible extra layer when you use banking apps on open networks.

What to pack

Late-November days in Tokyo and Kyoto are usually mild and bright, with cold mornings and evenings. Pack layers, a light down jacket or warm coat, comfortable walking shoes for temple steps, and socks without holes, as you'll take your shoes off at many temples and traditional restaurants.

Entry essentials

According to GOV.UK, British citizens don't need to apply for a visa before a holiday in Japan: you are given permission to stay for up to 90 days on arrival, and your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. Register on Visit Japan Web before you fly for faster arrival formalities.

Plan your autumn trip

Add Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka to our free multi-city trip builder to get flight, rail and hotel links for every stop. Want to keep going? Our founder's route links China and Japan.

Compare London to Tokyo flights on Skyscanner or check Kyoto hotels with free cancellation on Booking.com.

Prices checked October 2026. Foliage dates come from JMC's 1 October 2026 forecast and will be updated. We don't quote flight or hotel prices because they change daily, so check live prices before booking.

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