When do the leaves change in Japan in 2026?

In a normal year the sample maple trees turn red in Tokyo around November 28, Kyoto around December 5, Osaka around December 1, by the Japan Meteorological Agency's normals. Ginkgo trees usually turn yellow a little earlier.

When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Kyoto?

Kyoto's sample maple turns red around December 5 in a normal year; in 2025 it turned on December 10, 5 days later than normal. Trees at cooler, higher spots around the city usually turn earlier.

When do the ginkgo trees turn yellow in Tokyo?

Around November 23 in a normal year; in 2025 the agency recorded November 22. Tokyo's maples follow around November 28.

Autumn leaves 2026: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka

紅葉・黄葉

In a normal year the maples turn red in Tokyo around November 28, Kyoto around December 5, Osaka around December 1. These are the Japan Meteorological Agency’s own observations, which it publishes only in Japanese.

Maples, 2026かえでの紅葉

TokyoTYO
Nov 28Normal date (maples turned red); not observed yet this season
KyotoKYO
Dec 5Normal date (maples turned red); not observed yet this season
OsakaOSA
Dec 1Normal date (maples turned red); not observed yet this season

Ginkgo, 2026いちょうの黄葉

TokyoTYO
Nov 23Normal date (ginkgo turned yellow); not observed yet this season
KyotoKYO
Nov 24Normal date (ginkgo turned yellow); not observed yet this season
OsakaOSA
Nov 22Normal date (ginkgo turned yellow); not observed yet this season

By city, this season and last観測日

Each cell shows the day the maple turned red, then the day the ginkgo turned yellow below it.

Autumn leaf dates by city
City	Normal	2026	2025
TokyoTYO東京	Maple: Nov 28Ginkgo: Nov 23	––	Nov 23Nov 22
YokohamaTYO横浜	Maple: Dec 14Ginkgo: Nov 30	––	Dec 15Nov 28
KyotoKYO京都	Maple: Dec 5Ginkgo: Nov 24	––	Dec 10Nov 25
NaraKYO奈良	Maple: Nov 21Ginkgo: Nov 18	––	Nov 14Nov 18
OsakaOSA大阪	Maple: Dec 1Ginkgo: Nov 22	––	Dec 4Nov 25
KobeOSA神戸	Maple: Dec 1Ginkgo: Nov 13	––	Nov 26Nov 21

Autumn leaf events and light-ups紅葉のイベント

Mount Takao Autumn Leaves Festival高尾山もみじまつり
Sat, Oct 24 – Sun, Dec 13
Mount Takao (高尾山) · Tokyo
On nowTYOTokyoSeasonal
Kitano Tenmangu Momiji Garden (Autumn Leaves)史跡御土居のもみじ苑
Sat, Oct 31 – Sun, Dec 6 · 09:00 – 16:00
Kitano Tenmangu (北野天満宮) · Kamigyo
Adults (junior high and up) ¥1,500; ch…On nowKYOKyotoSeasonal

Quick answers

When do the leaves change in Japan in 2026?: In a normal year the sample maple trees turn red in Tokyo around November 28, Kyoto around December 5, Osaka around December 1, by the Japan Meteorological Agency's normals. Ginkgo trees usually turn yellow a little earlier.
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Kyoto?: Kyoto's sample maple turns red around December 5 in a normal year; in 2025 it turned on December 10, 5 days later than normal. Trees at cooler, higher spots around the city usually turn earlier.
When do the ginkgo trees turn yellow in Tokyo?: Around November 23 in a normal year; in 2025 the agency recorded November 22. Tokyo's maples follow around November 28.

Illuminations and seasonal events Cherry blossom timing Festivals

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency plant observations (maples, ginkgo), in Japanese, read several times a day. The agency watches one sample tree in each city; normals are worked out from its published difference from normal.