Updated November 7, 2026: JMC’s November 4 forecast now puts both maple and ginkgo timing in eastern and western Japan around normal or later. This is its final national forecast release of the season; use recent local color reports to decide on your next outing.
If your autumn trip is already booked, compare viewing spots along your route before changing flights or hotels. A later national outlook does not mean every park or temple is still waiting for color. Your travel dates, the exact location, and recent observations matter more than a single date for an entire city.
The forecast releases and official foliage guidance linked below were checked November 7, 2026. Local observations have their own report dates; this article does not establish the current color stage at every destination.
What Has Been Announced
Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), a weather forecasting company, released its third and final national forecast for 2026 on November 4. Compared with its October 1 outlook, maple timing in eastern and western Japan, and ginkgo timing in western Japan, have shifted from broadly normal to normal or later. Northern Japan’s maple timing remains broadly normal, with ginkgo normal or later. See the Japanese announcement.
The Japan Weather Association (JWA), a separate organization from JMC, issued its third forecast on October 28 (Japanese). It expects broadly normal timing in northern Japan, with some lowland locations later, and normal or later timing in eastern and western Japan.
For individual city predictions, see JMC’s English-language forecast. Use “red leaves” for maples and “yellow leaves” for ginkgo. Read the forecast column for this year; the “average date” column is a historical reference. Check the issue date before using either table.
Weathernews’ October 29 outlook (Japanese) also anticipates slightly later-than-usual viewing at many spots whose season starts from mid-November onward. Its individual-location forecasts can help you compare specific outings; their dates should not be treated as interchangeable with JMC’s city entries.
How to Use the Forecast for Your Trip
On JWA’s Japanese forecast page, “予想見頃時期（2026年）” gives this year’s predicted viewing timing. “見頃時期（昨年）” and “昨年からの傾向” refer to last year, not the long-term average. A place can be later than usual but earlier than last year.
Start with the place you want to visit. JMC’s city dates use sample-tree observation standards: they estimate the first day when most leaves on a tree have changed color. A city entry is therefore a planning reference, not the peak date for every nearby temple, park, or mountain.
For example, research the individual Kyoto temple you hope to see, rather than applying one Kyoto-wide date to the whole day. Likewise, a Sapporo forecast should not determine the timing of a mountain visit elsewhere in Hokkaido.
Should You Change Your Reservations?
If your flights and accommodation are booked, compare outings within your existing route before paying to move the whole trip. A different park, a nearby day trip, or changing the order of your sightseeing may be enough. Check any cancellation deadline before waiting for another forecast.
If you have not booked and autumn foliage is your main reason for traveling, choose a few specific viewing spots first. Compare their seasonal timing and current forecasts, then weigh flexible booking terms against the extra cost. One national outlook is not enough to select a single best week for all of Japan.
For a November visit, our Japan in November guide helps you fit foliage outings into a broader sightseeing itinerary.
Before You Book a Foliage Outing
Shortlist two or three accessible spots and keep one sightseeing day flexible where possible. Shortly before the visit, check recent color reports or photographs, opening hours, admission requirements, and the journey back to your accommodation. For mountain trips, check local weather and access as well as the leaves.
Choose an alternative in the same area that you would enjoy regardless of the color stage. This makes it easier to adapt your day without adding a long, expensive detour.
Where to Check Before Your Visit
For Kyoto, use Kyoto Travel’s Autumn Leaves Calendar 2026 to compare the temples and gardens you could visit. The page showed a November 6 update when checked. Read the dated color-stage entries; the “Peak Viewing Time in Previous Years” column and downloadable 2025 calendar are historical references.
For Tokyo, GO TOKYO’s foliage guide helps you choose parks and gardens. Its usual viewing windows are not live color reports. Use forecasts for advance planning and recent observations for your next outing.
Reading Japanese Foliage Reports
For local color reports, use tenki.jp’s foliage page (Japanese), provided by the Japan Weather Association, a separate organization from JMC. Its local reports show observed color stages, while its separate forecast page estimates future timing. Check the date and exact location of each report before choosing an outing.
Choose the prefecture or use the search field to find your destination. Browser translation can help with navigation; match the place name with your map and check the report date. The page uses these color stages:
| Japanese label | What it means |
|---|---|
| 青葉 | Leaves are still green |
| 色づき始め | Leaves are starting to change color |
| 紅葉見頃 | Leaves are at a good stage for viewing |
| 色あせ始め | Colors are starting to fade |
| 落葉 | Leaves have fallen |
These labels describe reported conditions, not a future peak date. If your chosen spot is still green, compare nearby alternatives with more advanced color before adding a long detour.
Official Information
Use these sources for forecast updates and local planning. Check the dates on seasonal reports:
- Weathernews — October 29 foliage outlook (Japanese)
- Japan Weather Association / tenki.jp — October 28 foliage forecast (Japanese)
- Japan Meteorological Corporation — November 4 final national forecast
- GO TOKYO — typical foliage timing and viewing spots in Tokyo
- Kyoto Travel — Autumn Leaves Calendar 2026. Check the date of each color report.
- Japan Weather Association / tenki.jp — local foliage reports (Japanese). Check each location’s report date.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Use Autumn in Japan: Weather, Fall Foliage, What to Wear & Things to Do to plan the rest of your autumn stay, from packing to experiences beyond leaf viewing.
