What’s not to love about autumn? Without the scorching sun beating down on your back or pollen to trigger hay fever, you’re free to make the most of the great outdoors with long walks and picnics surrounded by splendid autumn foliage. Speaking of which, the year’s koyo (foliage viewing) forecasts have been released, with projections of the best time to go on a hike or cycling excursion to see the vivid, colourful leaves.
Japan Meteorological Corporation released two autumn foliage forecasts on September 2 based on reports provided by the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) – one for red momiji (maple leaves) and one for yellow ginkgo leaves.
Red momiji
According to JMC, the peak time to see momiji in Tokyo will be around November 29 while Osaka’s momiji will look their best around December 2. A few days later, the momiji in Kyoto will hit their peak time on December 7.
As the northernmost prefecture of Japan, Hokkaido will see momiji earlier than other regions, with the momiji in Sapporo predicted to peak around November 2.
Yellow ginkgo
The timing for ginkgo leaves differ slightly from the momiji season, with Tokyo expected to reach its peak around November 26. Osaka’s ginkgo leaves will peak a few days earlier on November 23 while you can expect to see yellow leaves at their most vibrant on November 26 in Kyoto. In Sapporo, ginkgo leaves will flourish at the same time as the momiji on November 2.
As of now, these reports from JMC predict that Japan’s autumn leaves will arrive bang on time. However, a more recent report from Weather News suggests that autumn leaves will arrive slightly earlier than usual.
Based on Weather News’s report released on September 6, the best time to see the red momiji (maple leaves) at Tokyo’s Mt Takao will be around November 19. If you can’t wait until then, consider making your way over to the alpine valley of Kamikochi in Nagano, where the autumn leaves are expected to arrive much earlier, around October 19.
＜紅葉見頃予想＞
— ウェザーニュース (@wni_jp) September 16, 2021
今年もすでに北海道の大雪山系や富山県立山の室堂平では紅葉が見頃になっているところがあります。ウェザーニュースでは、この夏の天候などをもとに2021年の紅葉見頃予想を発表しました。
全国の紅葉名所の見頃日を確認して紅葉狩り計画にお役立てください。https://t.co/RzQ86IKcF5 pic.twitter.com/jRg5fuFv7U
Meanwhile, the Arashiyama Forest in Kyoto is expected to reach its peak in the same week as Tokyo on November 21. Down in southwest Japan, the trees of Akizuki Castle Ruins in Fukuoka are expected to look their best around November 22 while the mountains of Kirishima in Kyushu are expected to flourish near November 5.
This article was originally published on September 17 and updated on September 28.
Check out our list of Japan’s most beautiful autumn destinations for more seasonal scenery.
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