Autumn Colours 紅葉
Check the kōyō forecast! (late-Sept–late-Nov)
Just as cherry blossoms are the highlight of the Japanese spring season, colorful leaves (kōyō) are a major highlight in autumn - and may well be the reason you choose to visit Japan at this time.
The viewing of autumn leaves has been a popular activity in Japan for centuries and today draws large numbers of travelers to famous kōyō spots both in the mountains and in the cities.
Just as the ‘cherry front’ sweeps up the country in spring a kōyō zensen, or ‘autumn colour front’ sweeps back down the country in autumn. As temperatures cool in Hokkaidō first, the leaves turn there from around late September. In parts of western and southern Japan they won’t change until late November.
Follow the dates on the Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast.