Final 2026 autumn leaves forecast: Kyoto 14 Dec, Tokyo 30 Nov — the December school holidays still get colour
This week's news · Checked 2026-11-05
What happened. Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), a private Japanese weather forecaster, released its third forecast for red maples and yellow ginkgo on 4 Nov 2026. JMC says it is the last one this season. Compared with the second edition (1 Oct), almost every city in central and western Japan moved 2 to 9 days later. The reason: September to November ran warmer than normal, and leaves turn when it gets cold.
The dates below are the day most leaves on the sample tree have turned red or yellow. In city parks, that is roughly when the best viewing starts.
| City | Red maples (3rd edition, 4 Nov) | 2nd edition (1 Oct) | Normal year | Yellow ginkgo (3rd edition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 1 Nov | 4 Nov | 28 Oct | 1 Nov |
| Aomori | 13 Nov | 13 Nov | 13 Nov | 4 Nov |
| Nagano | 22 Nov | 21 Nov | 12 Nov | 15 Nov |
| Sendai | 26 Nov | 24 Nov | 21 Nov | 1 Dec |
| Tokyo | 30 Nov | 28 Nov | 28 Nov | 29 Nov |
| Hiroshima | 30 Nov | 28 Nov | 22 Nov | 23 Nov |
| Kanazawa | 2 Dec | 30 Nov | 24 Nov | 26 Oct |
| Nagoya | 4 Dec | 2 Dec | 28 Nov | 20 Nov |
| Osaka | 6 Dec | 4 Dec | 1 Dec | 27 Nov |
| Fukuoka | 10 Dec | 7 Dec | 1 Dec | 30 Nov |
| Kochi | 12 Dec | 9 Dec | 2 Dec | 19 Nov |
| Kagoshima | 13 Dec | 10 Dec | 15 Dec | 30 Nov |
| Kyoto | 14 Dec | 11 Dec | 5 Dec | 30 Nov |
| Wakayama | 14 Dec | 12 Dec | 6 Dec | 28 Nov |
What it means for you.
- December school holidays (from 5 Dec): this year works in Malaysian families' favour. Kyoto (14 Dec), Osaka (6 Dec) and Fukuoka (10 Dec) peak inside the holidays. Tokyo (maples 30 Nov, ginkgo 29 Nov) still has colour in the first week.
- Go east to west: with one week, start in Tokyo at the beginning of the holidays and head west. Kyoto is the latest, so put it at the end, around 12–16 Dec.
- Fukuoka: Malaysia Airlines flies KL–Fukuoka daily from 1 Dec. Fukuoka's maples are forecast for 10 Dec, so the second holiday week fits.
- Kanazawa and Sapporo: Kanazawa's ginkgo (26 Oct) and Sapporo's maples (1 Nov) are already past. If you're going to Hokkaido in December, plan for snow, not leaves.
- A forecast, not a promise: strong wind or rain can bring leaves down early. JMC won't issue another edition, so check each spot a few days before you go.
- Spots, park-by-park dates and nearby prayer rooms: in our Japan autumn leaves 2026 guide.
- Staying in Kyoto in peak week: Trip.com: Kyoto hotels 12–16 Dec, 2 adults + 2 kids (prices depend on the day you check).
Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: Japan Meteorological Corporation, 2026 autumn leaves forecast, 3rd edition (Japanese), n-kishou.com, 4 Nov 2026; 2nd edition, 1 Oct 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.