With the summer heat showing no sign of easing, autumn is most likely to arrive later than usual this year. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited about koyo, or Japan’s always stunning autumn leaves, which will arrive in due time.
On September 2, the Japan Meteorological Corporation released the first 2025 edition of its official autumn leaves forecast, which predicts the autumn foliage around Japan spanning from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. It details the two most popular types of koyo: the red momiji maple and yellow ginkgo leaves.
Here’s a detailed look at the first forecast.
Red momiji leaves forecast
The maple leaves in Hokkaido will be the first to see colour change, with Sapporo projected to get red momiji around November 7 – about ten days later than usual. The best time to see momiji in Nagano is November 23, and in Kanazawa it should be November 30.
As for Tokyo, you can expect to see the leaves turn red around November 30. Osaka won't see the foliage glisten until early December, with the forecast predicting December 4. For Kyoto, the leaves will turn even later, on December 12. Further south, the leaves in Fukuoka will only start turning colourful around December 9, while the date for Kagoshima is December 12.
Yellow ginkgo leaves forecast
For the yellow ginkgo trees, the leaves are predicted to change around the same time as usual, with the projected date in Sapporo being November 6. Similarly, leaves in Aomori will be at their best on November 6. For Kanazawa, you’ll want to be in the area around November 11 and in Nagano around November 15.
In Tokyo, the ginkgo will turn yellow by November 29, while Osaka is forecasted for November 24 and Kyoto for November 28. Down in Kyushu, the yellow leaves are expected in Fukuoka and Kagoshima by November 28.
To see the full, detailed forecast with more destinations across Japan, visit the JMC website.
We'll continue to keep you posted as the forecast changes. The next update from the JMC is scheduled for early October.
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