Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast 2024
Occurring each year from late September through to mid-December, depending on which region of the country you are referring to, the autumn leaves of Japan rival the legendary cherry blossoms of spring in their fragile beauty and cultural importance. On this page you will find the following information:
— Autumn Leaves ‘Koyo’ Forecast 2024
— Varieties of Autumn Leaves in Japan
— The Importance of ‘Koyo’ & ‘Momijigari’
— Best Autumn Leaves in Nagano
— Autumn Leaves in Nagano: Join a Guided Tour
— Tours & Charters To See Fall Colors in Nagano
This page is one of several on which you’ll find everything you need to know about where and when to find the best autumn leaves, so you can plan and book your autumn adventure in Japan. Let’s start with when to expect the leaves this year:
AUTUMN LEAVES ‘KOYO’ FORECAST 2024
Released on September 3rd, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) has published its forecast for 2024. As we move into autumn, you can expect the forecast to be refined with more exact dates. We will update that information as it becomes available. The map above is regarded as the main autumn leaves forecast however it specifically refers to when you can expect red and amber trees, such as ‘momiji’ (Japanese maples) to turn. The dates that yellow-leafed trees such as ‘icho’ (gingko) and ‘karamatsu’ (Japanese larch) are expected to turn, varies a little as shown on the map below. As you can see from the map above, our home region of Nagano (located in the orange/red zone in the middle of Japan) is expected to turn at the end of October in areas of higher elevation – such as Shiga Kogen, Tateyama-Kurobe, Kamikochi and Togakushi– followed by lower areas from mid-November onward – such as Nagano City, Matsumoto, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Overall, temperatures are higher than usual this year and the leaves will turn a little later in the areas of lower elevation. Of course, the highest mountain peaks will have colors from early October onwards, and with the large variation in elevation across the cities and towns of Nagano Prefecture, you can expect a wide variance in the specific dates of peak color.
For other regions of Japan, the leaves are looking to be at peak around the usual time period, or a little later. Tokyo is forecasted for December 1st, Kyoto at December 12th, Sapporo at November 8th, and Fukuoka at December 10th. Of course, different areas within a city will have slightly different dates of peak color, and as the forecast is subject to change with a couple months to go until the peak season, it pays to keep a close eye on each new update.
When planning your autumn visit and seeking-out the best spots to enjoy the leaves, our advice is to allow flexibility in your schedule so that you can move to the best areas as the condition of the leaves becomes more certain.
VARIEITIES OF AUTUMN LEAVES IN JAPAN
Japan’s beautiful ‘momiji’ are without doubt the most famous autumn trees, loved for their vibrant color and delicate beauty. Yet the name momiji covers a variety of trees, a grouping that is just one of many trees that turn in color each autumn. Our ‘Varieties of Autumn Leaves in Japan’ page introduces some of the most common trees you’ll find along with shrubs and grasses of equally vibrant color.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘KOYO’ & ‘MOMIJIGARI’
The term ‘koyo’ refers to the red leaves of autumn but overtime has come to encapsulate all coloured trees of autumn. Much like the fabled cherry blossoms of spring, koyo season is cherished for its passing and fragile beauty – a time to enjoy ‘momijigari’ or ‘hunting for autumn leaves’ with family and friends. Our ‘The Importance of ‘Koyo’ & ‘Momijigari’ in Japan’ page these quintessential Japanese terms and what to expect when visiting in autumn.
BEST AUTUMN LEAVES IN NAGANO
Within easy reach of Tokyo, Nagano and the surrounding prefectures making-up Central Japan are blessed with some of the country’s ‘koyo’ spots, thanks to the region’s mountainous character and cooler climate. Our ‘Autumn Leaves in Nagano: When and Where to Enjoy the 2024 Season’ page introduces some of our favorite spots and when the leaves are likely to be at their best.
BEST AUTUMN LEAVES IN TOKYO
If you’re visiting Japan from abroad, chances are that you’ll be spending some time in Tokyo. For those heading there in autumn, the city’s parks turn-on a spectacular show of colour while other great ‘koyo’ spots are found within an hour or two of the capital. Our ’15 Best Places To See Autumn Leaves In & Around Tokyo’ page lists the best options in city for enjoy in the leaves.
BEST AUTUMN LEAVES IN KYOTO
Japan’s ancient capital boasts many of the country’s most important temples and shrines. Attracting millions of visitors each year, the historic sites of Kyoto are at their most spectacular in autumn, when the surrounding gardens frame the buildings in exceptional beauty. Our ’10 Best Places To See Autumn Leaves in Kyoto’ page has our recommendation of some of the best spots in the city to seek-out the leaves.
AUTUMN LEAVES IN JAPAN: JOIN A GUIDED TOUR
For visitors to Japan in the months of September through December, seeing the colorful autumn leaves is likely to be a top priority. Luckily, there are leaves changing color somewhere in Japan during this period, and a number of our tours have been created with this in mind. Our ‘Best Tours to See Autumn Leaves in Japan’ page has details of the tours on offer in autumn including how to book with us!
TOURS AND CHARTERS TO SEE FALL COLORS IN NAGANO
While the fall colors of Nagano will be on full display everywhere you loom throughout the season, getting to some of the best spots on your own can be tricky. Public transport in Nagano is not as frequent as in the cities elsewhere in Japan, and as the prefecture is quite large, it can take time to get around if you don’t have your own car. However, you can make things easy by joining a guided tour! Save yourself the hassle of planning your transport and instead focus on enjoying the scenery in front of your eyes.
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
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| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
While the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is famous for its spring snow walls, the area is actually at its most beautiful in autumn, and significantly less crowded as well. As the elevation here is so high, colors can be seen in late September when Tokyo is still green and hot, making this a perfect getaway if you want to see some early color. Offering pickup from Nagano, this tour will make the process of reaching the mountain top of Tateyama simple, and your guide will make the area come to life with informative stories and local information.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle | |
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| Period | April to November |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
Known as the “jewel of the Northern Alps”, Kamikochi is one of Japan’s most stunning alpine environments. And it is perhaps at its most beautiful in autumn, with white snow capping the mountains and bright colors setting the valley ablaze in a sea of red and orange. With a visit to the famous Matsumoto Castle in the morning included, this tour will make sure you get the best of both the nature and culture that Nagano has to offer. Come in mid October for the best chance of seeing great colors.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Togakushi Legends Tour: Hands-on Soba Noodles, Ninja Village, and Hidden Shrines | |
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| Period | July to November |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:20 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Information Board |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Sitting just to the north of Nagano City, the mountainous region of Togakushi is a celebrated spiritual heartland as well as a beautiful natural area. Visitors will be impressed with the areas shrines and deep history, and in fall will have the full force of natures beauty proving why ancient people held this area as a sacred land. With a longstanding Ninja tradition also in place, this tour is fun for the whole family and brings you into the mountains without requiring any difficult hikes. Come in October for the best chance of seeing the fall colors at their peak.
Last but not least, if you don’t need a guide and only need help reaching your preferred fall color spot, our private charter service is for you. Our friendly, certified drivers will come straight to wherever it is you want to be picked up at in clean and modern vehicles. You can choose to be taken straight to your destination, or to make multiple stops along the way, and you may even add a guide to make your own private tour. For more information on pricing and availability, please click HERE.
