Guide

Autumn colour in Japan: when, where, and what there is at Sukkot

Autumn colour in Japan moves by altitude and by latitude, so the question 'when' only has an answer for a specific place. The high mountains turn as early as mid-September, Tokyo in late November, and Kyoto into early December. Israelis have one more problem: Sukkot 2027 falls on 16 to 22 October, long before the colour reaches the cities. On this page we have written where there is colour in that week and what is still green, when the colour reaches each place, and where to see it in the city and in the mountains. The dates are averages, and next to each one we say where it comes from, because in a warm year they move by a week or more.

More on this: Seasons, month by month · The festival calendar

When it arrives

In order from early to late. The mountains first, the cities after.

When it arrives
Place	When	Where this comes from
Daisetsuzan	Asahidake: mid-September to early October. Sounkyo, lower down: early to mid-October	Long-term average (Weathernews, Hankyu). In 2026: snow on the summit on 4 October, and the middle of the ropeway at its peak on 7 October
Tateyama	Murodo: mid-September. Midagahara: late September. Kurobedaira and Kurobe Dam: mid-October. Bijodaira and Shomyo Falls: late October	The route operator's average. On 30 October 2026: snow at Murodo and Midagahara, peak at Bijodaira and Shomyo
Hakuba	Tsugaike Nature Park: late September to mid-October	Long-term average (Rurubu). In 2026 the park closed on 25 October
Oku-Nikko	Lake Yunoko and Ryuzu Falls: early to mid-October. Senjogahara: mid to late October. Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and the Iroha road: mid-October to early November	Average from the Nikko Tourism Association. On 26 October 2026 all of these were still at their peak, so the colour was late this year
Nikko, the town and shrines	Early to mid-November	Tourism Association average. On 29 October 2026 it was only starting to turn
Kamikochi	Mid to late October around Kappa Bridge and along the river	Average (Kamikochi official site, Weathernews). On 30 October 2026 the leaves were already falling, with about half left. The valley closes on 15 November
Takayama	The city: late October to early November. Shinhotaka Ropeway: mid to late October	Long-term average (Nap Camp, Weathernews). At the ropeway on 28 October 2026: peak, with 70 to 80 percent of the trees turned
Sapporo	Maple 28 October, ginkgo 4 November. The Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue: late October to early November. Jozankei: early to mid-October	The cities: Japan Meteorological Agency observation tree average, 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast, maple on 4 November, 7 days late
Hakodate	Maple and ginkgo 2 November. Kosetsuen garden: late October to early November	Observation tree average, 1991 to 2020, and a long-term average for the garden (Walkerplus)
Mount Koya	About 20 October to about 10 November	Koya town average, through Weathernews. On 30 October 2026 about half had turned, with the peak forecast around 7 November
Lake Kawaguchi	Early to mid-November. A carpet of leaves on the ground: mid to late November	Prefecture and town average. The 2026 festival: 7 to 29 November
Hakone	Early November to early December. It starts at Lake Ashi and Sengokuhara and moves down to Hakone-Yumoto	Long-term average (Hakone Navi)
Kanazawa	Ginkgo 10 November, maple 24 November	Observation tree average, 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast, maple on 30 November
Miyajima	Mid to late November	Miyajima Tourist Association average. In Hiroshima city: ginkgo 15 November, maple 22 November (observation tree)
Nara	Nara Park: mid-November to early December. Ginkgo 18 November, maple 21 November	Average for the park (Weathernews), and the observation tree, 1991 to 2020
Tokyo	Ginkgo 23 November, maple 28 November. In the gardens: late November to early December	Observation tree average, 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast: ginkgo 26 November, maple 28 November
Kamakura	Late November to early December	Long-term average from the Kamakura Tourism Association. The Hase-dera night lighting in 2026: 21 November to 6 December
Kyoto	At the temples: mid-November to early December. The observation tree: ginkgo 24 November, maple 5 December	Temples: by the peak dates they publish themselves for 2026. Observation tree: 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast, maple on 11 December, 6 days late
Osaka	Ginkgo 22 November, maple 1 December	Observation tree average, 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast: ginkgo 24 November, maple 4 December
Fukuoka	Ginkgo 20 November, maple 1 December	Observation tree average, 1991 to 2020. In the 2026 forecast: ginkgo 28 November, maple 7 December

What you need to know

The colour moves down from the mountain to the valley
The clear example is the Tateyama Alpine Route: Murodo at 2,450 metres turns in mid-September, Kurobedaira at 1,828 metres in mid-October, and Bijodaira at 977 metres in late October. So if you missed the mountain you can go down to the valley, and if you came early you have to go up.
The city date is one tree, not the garden
The Meteorological Agency records the day when most of the leaves on one observation tree have turned, not when it is worth visiting. In Kyoto that tree turns red on average on 5 December, but Tofuku-ji charges its peak price from 14 November, and Eikan-do lights up from 20 November. Plan by the place, not by the city date. In 2026 the forecast for that tree was 11 December, and anyone aiming for it would arrive after the season ended at the temples.
In the south, ginkgo comes before maple
In Tokyo the ginkgo turns yellow on average on 23 November and the maple turns red on 28 November, in Kyoto 24 November against 5 December, and in Fukuoka 20 November against 1 December. If you come early, look for a ginkgo avenue. In Sapporo it is the other way round: maple on 28 October and ginkgo on 4 November.
The peak in one place is short, and the year can move it
In one place the peak lasts a week or two: on the Alpine Route in 2026 there were reports of the peak on 30 September and of its end on 13 October, and for the kochia at Hitachi the park itself talks about a week to 10 days. Across a whole area it is longer: about a month in Hakone. The year changes a lot: Lake Yunoko usually peaks until mid-October, and in 2026 it was still at its peak on 26 October. The first forecast of the year comes out only in early September (2 September in 2026), so buying a flight before that is a bet.
Kyoto in late November: lodging and buses
Lodging: we recommend booking about half a year ahead. Mid and late November are the high season, and Saturday nights and nights before a holiday sell out first. If there is no room, Osaka, Otsu and Nara are close by train. Buses: in 2026 Kyoto city marked 21 to 23 and 28 and 29 November as the main crowded days, and it asks visitors to take the subway and then a short bus: from Kujo station to Kiyomizu-dera, from Imadegawa to Ginkaku-ji and from Kitaoji to Kinkaku-ji. The EX100 and EX101 express tourist buses cost ¥500 and run on Saturdays and holidays. A one-day subway and bus pass costs ¥1,100. Send suitcases to the hotel, because the city asks people not to bring them on the bus.
Rain, children and strollers
In rain, choose covered places: Tsutenkyo bridge at Tofuku-ji has a roof, and the halls at Eikan-do are linked by wooden corridors. The path between Kurama and Kibune is earth and roots, slippery in rain, and needs closed shoes. With children, Showa Kinen Park is easy: there is room, and children up to the end of junior high enter free. At Kamikochi the paths are flat, and you can walk only the short stretch from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge.

Where to see it

Tokyo

Ginkgo from around 23 November, maple and the gardens from late November to early December

Rikugien Gardens
A garden from the Edo period, and the maples around the Tsutsuji-chaya tea house turn red in late November. The night lighting in 2026: 25 November to 6 December, 18:00 to 20:30, last entry 19:30. The garden closes at 17:00 and reopens only with a night ticket. Until November 2026, as planned, the pond walls are being repaired, so the water is low and some paths are closed.
Cost ¥300 by day. Night lighting ¥1,000 online in advance and ¥1,200 on the day, and the number of tickets is limited
Ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien (Icho Namiki)
An avenue of about 300 metres from Aoyama-dori, open all day. The ginkgo season is late November. At the end of the avenue stands the Memorial Picture Gallery, closed for conservation until about May 2027, so scaffolding can appear in the classic photo. We found no official notice of a 2026 ginkgo festival, so do not count on stalls.
Cost Free
Showa Kinen Park
A large park in Tachikawa, outside central Tokyo, with two ginkgo avenues and a Japanese garden with maples. The autumn festival in 2026: 29 October to 29 November, open 09:30 to 21:00, with lighting 16:30 to 20:30.
Cost ¥450, age 65 and over ¥210, free up to the end of junior high. The Japanese garden at night costs extra, from ¥1,200, children from ¥600
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
A garden in the city centre, 3 minutes from Iidabashi station, and the good time for colour is late November. Open 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30.
Cost ¥300, age 65 and over ¥150

Kyoto

At the temples from mid-November to early December. The ginkgo around 24 November

Tofuku-ji Temple
Tsutenkyo, a covered bridge over a valley of maples, and the Mirei Shigemori garden from 1939. In the crowded season you are sometimes asked not to stop for photos on the bridges. From 14 November to 6 December the bridge opens at 08:30, so come for the opening. A train station is 10 minutes away, with no bus needed.
Cost At the peak: the bridge ¥1,000 and the Hojo garden ¥600, and from 14 November to 6 December there is no combined ticket
Eikan-do
The temple calls itself 'Eikan-do of the maples'. The night lighting in 2026: 20 November to 6 December, reception 17:30 to 20:30. Visitors change between day and night, and you cannot stay on from the day into the evening. On Saturdays and holidays in the season, from about 15:00 to 19:00, bus 5 bypasses the area and the stop moves.
Cost ¥1,000, and in the autumn season ¥1,500 (in 2026 from 11 November to 6 December). Night lighting ¥1,000 on a separate ticket
Arashiyama: Tenryu-ji and Okochi Sanso
The peak is usually in late November, so at the Momiji festival in early November the leaves are not red yet. In 2026, from 14 to 30 November, the Tenryu-ji garden opens as early as 07:30, through the main ticket office only. Okochi Sanso opens at 09:00 at the end of the bamboo grove. Come by train.
Cost The Tenryu-ji garden ¥500. Okochi Sanso ¥1,000, with matcha and a sweet
Kurama and Kibune
Two mountain villages north of the city, and the peak is usually mid to late November. From the main hall of Kurama-dera it is about 50 minutes on a path of roots to Kibune. The Eizan railway runs through a maple tunnel between Ichihara and Ninose, lit at night in recent years (in 2025: 7 to 24 November). We found no official notice of the 2026 dates, so check before planning an evening. The meals on platforms over the stream end in September.
Cost Kurama-dera ¥500, the cable car ¥200 each way. Kifune shrine free. The train ¥470 each way
Kiyomizu-dera at night
The autumn night visit in 2026: 21 to 30 November, entry from 17:30 to 21:00, and the temple is open until 21:30. No booking. In the season the southbound Gojozaka bus stop is closed and there are extra buses to Kyoto Station, and eating is not allowed inside the temple. Jishu shrine beside the main hall is closed for repairs, with no reopening date.
Cost ¥500. The temple does not publish a separate price for the night

Nikko

The mountain from early October to early November, the town and shrines in early to mid-November

Ryuzu Falls and Senjogahara
The high part of Nikko. Ryuzu Falls usually peaks in early to mid-October, the trees at Senjogahara in mid to late October, and the larch turns yellow at the end of the season. This is the colour that fits Sukkot.
Cost Free. The bus from Nikko costs money
Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and the Iroha road
Mid-October to early November. On weekends in the season the bus on this road takes two hours instead of 45 minutes, so go up early in the morning and preferably on a weekday. The waterfall lighting in 2026: 14 to 23 November, from sunset to 19:00, from the free viewing platform.
Cost The lake is free. The lift to the waterfall ¥600 return
The Nikko shrines
Toshogu, Futarasan and Rinno-ji in the town turn only in early to mid-November. At Sukkot they are still green. Light Up Nikko in 2026: 6 to 8 November, 17:00 to 21:00, and on 8 November until 20:00.
Cost Light Up Nikko is free. Entry to the shrines by day costs money

Hakone

Early November to early December, from the top down

Hakone Museum of Art, the moss garden
More than 200 maples over moss, at their peak from around 10 November. The museum is reopening after renovation: from 30 October 2026 there is a pre-opening without the main building's exhibition rooms, and the full opening is on 23 December. Closed on Thursdays, with no night lighting.
Cost ¥1,000 until 20 December 2026, and ¥1,500 from 21 December
Gora Park
A garden on a slope near Gora station, open 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30. The colour is relatively late here: in 2026 tenki.jp forecast the peak for early December.
Cost ¥650, children up to the end of elementary school free, and free with a Hakone pass
Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine
The first area of Hakone to turn, in early November. The shrine and the lakeside path are free, but the photo at the torii gate in the water has a queue of 20 to 40 minutes.
Cost The shrine is free. The boat on the lake is not free: ¥1,700 one way

Lake Kawaguchi

Early to mid-November

Momiji Corridor (Momiji Kairo)
According to the prefecture, about 60 old maples along about 150 metres on both banks of the Nashi river, on the north shore of the lake. The 2026 festival: 7 to 29 November. The lighting runs from sunset to 21:00 according to the town and to 21:30 according to the prefecture. On weekends the car parks fill early, and car park 1 costs ¥1,000, cashless. Without a car: the Red Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko station.
Cost Free
Chureito Pagoda
398 steps to the pagoda, and from the deck behind it you see it with Fuji. Autumn colour in November, with a queue for the photo. Fuji shows in the morning and clouds over in the afternoon.
Cost Free

Kanazawa

The maple around 24 November, the ginkgo around 10 November

Kenrokuen Garden
On the lighting evenings entry is free: in 2026 on 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 November, 18:00 to 21:00, last entry 20:45. From November to the end of February entry is also free in the morning, 06:00 to 07:45, through two gates only. From 1 November the snow ropes (yukitsuri) go up on the trees, and they are part of the view too.
Cost ¥320, children ¥100. Combined ticket with the castle buildings ¥500
Kanazawa Castle Park
Opposite the garden, and lit on the same evenings together with Gyokusen-Inmaru garden.
Cost The park is free. The buildings ¥320

Mount Koya

About 20 October to about 10 November

Danjo Garan and the Jabara-michi path
Koya town names this path as the main autumn colour spot on the mountain. In October and November it is lit in the evening, from 17:30 as scheduled, so it suits people sleeping at a temple.
Cost The grounds are free. The pagoda and the Kondo hall ¥500 each
Okunoin and Kongobu-ji
A walk of 2 km among the graves of Okunoin, and Kongobu-ji with its rock garden. It is colder here than in the city, so bring a coat even if Osaka is still mild.
Cost Okunoin is free. Kongobu-ji ¥1,000, with tea and a sweet

Miyajima

Mid to late November

Momijidani Park
About 700 maple trees in the valley behind Itsukushima Shrine, and the ropeway leaves from here too. In 2025 the park was lit from 8 to 30 November, and we found no notice of the 2026 dates. The ropeway to Mount Misen closes early: last ride up at 16:00, and on busy days in November you must book ahead.
Cost The park is free. The ropeway is not free: ¥2,000 return. The JR ferry ¥200 each way, plus a ¥100 visitor tax
Daisho-in Temple
A temple on the slope, a 30-minute walk from the pier. The gate is open 08:00 to 17:00. In 2025 it was lit from 17 to 29 November, and we found no notice of the 2026 dates.
Cost Free

Sapporo

Jozankei in October, the city from late October to early November

Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue
An avenue on the campus, at its peak in late October to early November. On 27 October 2026 it was at its peak, with leaves forecast to start falling around 7 November. We found no official notice of lighting evenings in 2026.
Cost Free
Nakajima Park
A park in the city centre with a Japanese garden, at its peak in mid to late October.
Cost Free
Jozankei
An onsen town in a valley south of Sapporo, at its peak in early to mid-October, mainly around the Futami suspension bridge.
Cost The bridge is free. The bus from Sapporo costs money

Kamikochi

Mid to late October. The valley closes on 15 November

Taisho Pond and Kappa Bridge
The part of the valley that everyone reaches, where the larch along the Azusa river turns yellow. From late October there can be snow on the Hotaka peaks. Private cars do not enter: park at Sawando and change to a bus or taxi.
Cost Entry is free. The bus from Sawando ¥2,800 return and ¥1,500 one way
Myojin Pond and Tokusawa
Up the river the colour comes earlier: at Tokusawa the slopes start to change as early as mid-September, and the larch turns gold in October. From early November the season of some restaurants is already over.
Cost Entry to Myojin Pond ¥500, 06:00 to 17:00

Takayama

The ropeway in mid to late October, the city in late October to early November

Shinhotaka Ropeway
The colour starts at the top in late September and moves down over about a month to the bottom station in late October, so at Sukkot there is usually colour at some height. Check the weather before going up, because the ropeway can stop in bad weather.
Cost ¥3,800 return, ¥2,400 one way (fares to 31 October 2026)
Hida Folk Village
Autumn lighting evenings in 2026: 10 October to 8 November, weekends and holidays only, 17:30 to 20:30. After 17:09 there is no bus, so return on foot or by taxi.
Cost ¥700 by day, children ¥200. A lighting evening ¥300
Nakabashi Bridge
The red bridge in the city centre. In autumn 2026 it was lit from 1 October to 30 November, 17:30 to 21:00.
Cost Free

Kamakura

Late November to early December

Hase-dera at night
The autumn night visit in 2026: 21 November to 6 December, from sunset to 19:00, and the temple closes at 19:30. It goes ahead in rain, and tripods are not allowed on the paths.
Cost ¥400, elementary school children ¥200, the same as by day

Tateyama, the Alpine Route

Murodo in mid-September, Kurobedaira and Kurobe Dam in mid-October, Bijodaira in late October

Murodo and Midagahara
Among the first places to turn on Honshu, at 2,450 metres and 1,930 metres. By Sukkot the season here is over and there can be snow: on 30 October 2026 both had snow. Bring waterproof shoes and a coat.
Cost Ogizawa to Murodo return ¥12,300, and with an early web ticket ¥11,300, until 10 days before travel (2026 prices). The whole route one way ¥14,360
Kurobedaira and Kurobe Dam
The operator's average is mid-October, at 1,828 metres and 1,470 metres. This is the part of Tateyama that can still fit the start of Sukkot, with no promise: on 30 October 2026 the leaves there had already fallen.
Cost Included in the route ticket
Bijodaira and Shomyo Falls
The lowest part of the route, 977 metres and 1,080 metres, and so also the latest: late October. At Sukkot it is still early. The route is open until 30 November.
Cost Bijodaira is included in the route ticket

Routes

From late October: still in the mountains
If you land around 25 October, start in Nikko (Lake Chuzenji until early November), continue to Takayama and Kamikochi (to the end of October at the ropeway and in the valley, to early November in the city), and from there go to Mount Koya, where the peak lasts until about 10 November. Reach Kyoto at the end of the trip, when the colour is only starting, and do not expect the peak there.
From early November: south with the colour
Start in Nikko town (early to mid-November), continue to Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi (early to mid-November), and from there to Kanazawa, on the Kenrokuen lighting evenings. Reach Kyoto from 14 November, with the start of the peak season at Tofuku-ji, and continue to Miyajima for mid to late November. This order makes sense, because each stop comes at about the time the colour does.
From 20 November: Kyoto first, Tokyo at the end
Fly straight to Osaka or Kyoto: Kyoto, Nara and Miyajima from around 20 November. Reach Tokyo last, because the ginkgo there is around 23 November, the maple around 28 November, and the Rikugien lighting runs to 6 December. From there it is easy to add a day in Kamakura, where the colour lasts into early December. Book lodging in Kyoto early, and try not to spend a weekend there.

Autumn colour at Sukkot 2027

Sukkot 2027 falls on 16 to 22 October (the eve is 15 October), with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on 23 October. Both the 16th and the 23rd are Shabbat. That week there is no autumn colour in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kanazawa, Hakone, Kamakura or Miyajima, and the shrines of Nikko are still green (in 2026 they only began to turn yellow on 29 October). If you want colour, you have to go up.

That week there is usually colour at Oku-Nikko (Senjogahara, Lake Chuzenji, the upper part of the Iroha road), at Kamikochi (Kappa Bridge) and on the Shinhotaka Ropeway. At the end of their season: Ryuzu Falls, Lake Yunoko, Kurobe Dam and Jozankei. Already over: Murodo and high Daisetsuzan (in 2026 snow fell on the summit of Asahidake on 4 October), and the Tsugaike nature park in Hakuba. Mount Koya only starts at the end of the holiday, around 20 October.

Without going up a mountain: at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki prefecture, a day trip from Tokyo, the kochia turns red in mid-October (in 2026 at its peak from 10 October, and the park speaks of a week to 10 days). Entry is ¥800, including the seasonal supplement.

A possible plan: on the 16th and 17th stay in one city, because the 16th is Shabbat and the holiday, and on the 17th, a Sunday, the mountains are crowded. On the 18th and 19th Nikko, going up early in the morning, and on the evening of the 19th move to Matsumoto. On the 20th Kamikochi, and from there to Takayama. On the 21st the Shinhotaka Ropeway. On the 22nd reach the place where you will stay for Shabbat and Simchat Torah. If you do not keep Shabbat, you can be in Kyoto on the 22nd, for the Jidai Matsuri procession by day and the Kurama Fire Festival at night. The journey from Nikko to Matsumoto is long, so check it before you commit to lodging.

In a warm year the mountains are late too: in 2026, according to travellers' reports, Oku-Nikko peaked on 22 October, close to the end of the holiday. So buy a flight you can change, and keep the mountain days flexible until the forecast comes out in September.

Sources (61)

Checked on 1 November 2026. Bloom and colour dates change every year, so check a current forecast before you commit.