【2025 Edition】Your Complete Guide to Japan’s Autumn Foliage Season

Autumn in Japan is the season with the strongest sense of ritual.

In Japanese, enjoying the autumn leaves is called “Momijigari”, which literally means “hunting for autumn leaves,” as if you’re chasing the brilliance of the season itself.

From the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, to the ancient temples of Kyoto, all the way down to the hot spring towns of Kyushu, this colorful “hunt” stretches out for three whole months.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan in autumn 2025, this is the guide you’ll want to save!

I. 2025 Autumn Foliage Calendar

This year, Japan’s overall temperatures are expected to be higher than usual, so the peak viewing period will be about 10 days later than normal.
The good news? The window for seeing autumn leaves will be more flexible. Even in early December, you’ll still be able to catch the last colors in places like Tokyo and Osaka.

Region	Best Veiweing Period	Highlights
Hokkaido	Late September – Early Out	Mountains + Lakes
Tohoku	Mid – Late October	Gorges & Streams
Chubu/Hokuriku	Mid – Late November	Castles & Mountains
Kanto (Tokyo)	Mid November – Early December	City Gardens, Night Illuminations
Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka)	Late November – Mid December	Temples & Night Light-ups
Kyushi	Early – Mid December	Autumn Leaves + Hot Springs

 

💡 Tip: Mountain areas always change color earlier than city centers. When planning, follow the rule: mountains first, cities later.

※Japan Weather Association (JWA) released the third Autumn Foliage Peak Viewing Forecast on November 6, 2025.(https://www.jwa.or.jp/english/news/2025-3rd-autumn-foliage-peak-viewing-forecast-2/)

 

II. Must-Visit Autumn Foliage Spots

Hokkaido & Tohoku
Daisetsuzan National Park
•    Peak: Late Sept – Early Oct
•    Features: The earliest place in Japan to enter autumn. Entire mountain ranges turn into ribbons of red and gold.
•    Tip: Take the ropeway up Mt. Kurodake — the panoramic view at the summit is unbeatable.
Oirase Stream & Lake Towada (Aomori)
•    Peak: Mid October
•    Features: Flowing streams and maple leaves create a scene straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
•    Tip: Walk 3–4 km along the trail at a leisurely pace. The slower you go, the more layers of scenery you’ll notice.
Kanto (Tokyo & Surroundings)
Rikugien Garden (Tokyo)
•    Peak: Late Nov – Early Dec
•    Features: A classic Edo-period landscape garden. Famous for its night light-ups.
•    Photo Tip: Enter in the late afternoon to capture both daytime and night views. At night, use a wide angle to catch the pond reflections.
Mt. Takao & Hakone
•    Peak: Mid November
•    Features: The most popular day trips near Tokyo. Takao even hosts a “Maple Festival” during the season.
•    Access: From Shinjuku, take the Keio Line (about 40 mins). Discount passes for Mt. Takao are recommended.
Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara)
Kyoto – Kiyomizudera & Nanzenji
•    Peak: Late Nov – Early Dec
•    Features: Temples framed by fiery autumn leaves, with dramatic night illuminations.
Arashiyama – Togetsukyo Bridge
•    Peak: Late Nov
•    Features: The whole valley turns crimson, with the river flowing gently under the bridge. Come early (7–8 AM) for fewer crowds and clearer photos.
Nara Park & Mt. Wakakusa
•    Peak: Late Nov
•    Features: Deer wandering among the leaves — dreamy and soothing. From Mt. Wakakusa, you can look out over the entire city with its autumn colors.

 

III. Seasonal Experiences That Add Magic

Autumn leaves are beautiful during the day, but these extras will make your trip even more memorable:
1. Night Illuminations: The Magic After Sunset
When the sun goes down, illuminated autumn leaves glow in layers of warm, surreal color.
•    Kyoto Picks: Kiyomizudera, Eikando (nicknamed “Autumn Eikando” for its famous night foliage).
•    Tokyo Picks: Rikugien Garden, Meiji Jingu Gaien.
2. Hot Springs + Autumn Leaves: A Four-Season Indulgence
Soaking in an outdoor bath while gazing at red mountains — this is peak autumn luxury.
•    Hakone (Gora): Many inns have open-air baths with mountain views.
•    Kyoto (Arashiyama Takao): Hot spring ryokan line the Hozugawa Valley, perfect for leaf-viewing while relaxing in the bath.
3. Autumn-Only Flavors: The Season of Appetite
Japan calls autumn “the season of appetite,” and for good reason. Special dishes and sweets appear only this time of year.
•    Maple Leaf Tempura: Crispy sweets shaped like autumn leaves (not real leaves).
•    Chestnut Sweets: From Mont Blanc cakes to chestnut mochi — Kyoto and Nara shops go all out.
•    Matsutake Dishes: Autumn is peak season for fragrant matsutake mushrooms, often featured in kaiseki cuisine and hotpot.

IV. Travel Tips

•    Book Accommodation Early: Especially in Kyoto, late Nov to early Dec is peak season and hotels sell out fast.
•    Avoid the Crowds: Go on weekdays, early mornings, or at night for the best experience.
•    Check Forecasts Often: Color timing depends heavily on temperature. Always confirm the latest reports before your trip.
•    Use Rail Passes Wisely: Passes like the Kansai Thru Pass or JR Tokyo Wide Pass cover many foliage spots and save time and money.

>Unleash the Magic of Japan: Everything You Need to Know About the Japan Rail Pass

>Complete Shinkansen Travel Guide

5. Where to Find Foliage Updates

① Official Forecasts – Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp)
Publishes nationwide forecasts & “best viewing” maps every year. Data is reliable and detailed, but Japanese only (use translation tools).
👉 https://tenki.jp/kouyou/
② Real-Time Updates & Photos – Weathernews Koyo Channel
Live broadcasts and traveler-submitted photos. Easy to check actual conditions, even if you don’t read Japanese.
👉 https://weathernews.jp/koyo/
③ For Overseas Travelers – JNTO Official Site
Has Chinese pages with foliage info, transportation guides, and nearby attractions. Easier for planning.
👉 https://www.japan.travel/zh-cn/
Note: Official sites often lag 1–2 days behind. For the freshest updates — like how red the leaves at Kyoto’s Kiyomizudera are today — join travel communities where people share live photos and reports.

6. Sample Itineraries

Since the foliage moves gradually from north to south, the season lasts about three months. Based on the 2025 forecast (subject to updates), here’s a rough plan:
•    Sept – Oct: Hokkaido & Tohoku (Daisetsuzan, Lake Towada, Oirase Stream). Best for early-season leaf hunters.
•    Mid Nov: Tokyo & Surroundings (Mt. Takao, Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes). Tokyo gardens peak late Nov – early Dec.
•    Late Nov – Mid Dec: Kyoto, Osaka, Nara. Classic temples + night illuminations = highlight of the season.
•    December: Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Oita). Late-season foliage, perfect with hot spring trips.
Note: These are general guidelines. Weather can shift peak times, so always check the latest local updates.

Final Words

Japan’s autumn foliage season is a three-month visual feast, flowing from north to south. No matter when you arrive, there’s always a chance to find your own patch of color.
Save this guide and start planning your 2025 autumn trip — your perfect Momijigari adventure awaits!