On this page
- When are the autumn leaves in 2026?
- 10 places to see autumn leaves in Japan
- Night light-ups: autumn leaves after dark
- How to avoid the crowds in Kyoto
- Autumn in Japan with children
- Autumn in Japan for couples
- Weather and what to wear in November and December
- Planning your autumn trip from the Gulf
- Let a Japanese local plan your autumn trip
Quick answer
Autumn leaves in Japan are later than usual in 2026. Tokyo and Kyoto are at their best from late November to early December, while Nikko is at its peak now, in late October. From the Gulf, aim for the last week of November. If you travel in the UAE winter break (from 14 December), you will catch only the last of the leaves in Kyoto.
Here is when and where to see Japan’s autumn leaves, with entry fees, night light-ups and hotels for each place.
When are the autumn leaves in 2026?
Autumn colour moves from north to south, and from the mountains down to the cities. It starts in Hokkaido in late September, reaches Nikko in late October and Hakone and Mount Fuji in November, and arrives in Tokyo and Kyoto at the end of November. This year, a long, hot summer means most places are a few days later than usual.
| Area | Best time in 2026 (forecast) | When the leaves usually end |
|---|---|---|
| Nikko (Irohazaka) | Around 23 October | Early November |
| Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone | Early to late November | Late November |
| Kyoto (Arashiyama) | Around 24 November | Early December |
| Tokyo (yellow ginkgo) | Around 26 November | Around 3 December |
| Tokyo (red maples) | Around 29 November | Mid-December |
| Kyoto city (red maples) | Around 11 December | Around 18 December |
The official dates come from one sample tree in each city. Famous temples and mountains often peak earlier, so Kyoto’s temples are usually at their best in the last week of November, even when the city’s sample tree turns later. About a week before you fly, check the latest status of each place on the Japan Weather Association’s autumn leaves forecast (tenki.jp), which shows whether a place is “starting”, “at its best” or “past its best”.
10 places to see autumn leaves in Japan
| # | Place | Best time | Entry fee (approx.) | Night light-up | Why people love it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tofuku-ji, Kyoto | Mid to late November | ¥1,000 (Tsutenkyo Bridge) | No | A valley of red maples seen from a wooden bridge |
| 2 | Eikan-do, Kyoto | Mid to late November | ¥1,000 by day, ¥1,000 at night | Yes | One of Kyoto’s most famous maple temples |
| 3 | Arashiyama and Hogon-in, Kyoto | Late November to early December | Free to walk; ¥1,000 for Hogon-in at night | Yes | River, mountains and a garden reflected at night |
| 4 | Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto | Mid to late November | ¥500 | Yes | Red maples below the famous wooden stage |
| 5 | Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, Tokyo | Late November to early December | Free | No | A tunnel of yellow trees in the city |
| 6 | Rikugien Garden, Tokyo | Late November to early December | ¥300 | Yes | A Japanese garden lit up at night |
| 7 | Lake Kawaguchi Momiji Corridor | Early to mid-November | Free | Yes | Red maples with Mount Fuji behind |
| 8 | Hakone | Early to late November | Free to walk; ropeway extra | Some | Autumn colours and hot springs |
| 9 | Nikko (Irohazaka and Lake Chuzenji) | Mid-October to early November | Free | No | Mountains, a lake and waterfalls in red and gold |
| 10 | Nara Park | Mid to late November | Free | No | Deer under red maples |
¥1,000 is about AED 24. Some temples charge a higher fee in autumn, and night visits are a separate ticket.
1. Tofuku-ji, Kyoto
- What it is: a Zen temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the view from Tsutenkyo, a covered wooden bridge over a valley full of maples
- Why people love it: from the bridge, you look down onto a sea of red leaves, which is one of the best-known autumn views in Japan
- Best time: mid to late November
- Tip: it is extremely busy in late November. Arrive when it opens (around 8:30) and go on a weekday
- Where: one stop from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line
- Where to stay: a hotel near Kyoto Station keeps you close to Tofuku-ji and the shinkansen
2. Eikan-do, Kyoto
- What it is: a temple in eastern Kyoto, known for centuries as “Eikan-do of the maples”
- Why people love it: around 3,000 maples surround the temple halls and pond, and at night they are lit up
- Best time: mid to late November
- Night light-up 2026: 20 November to 6 December, 17:30 to 20:30 (last entry), ¥1,000
- Where: in Higashiyama, a short walk from the Philosopher’s Path
- Where to stay: Park Hyatt Kyoto, in Higashiyama
3. Arashiyama and Hogon-in, Kyoto
- What it is: a riverside area in western Kyoto, with mountains, the Togetsukyo Bridge and small temples such as Hogon-in
- Why people love it: whole hillsides turn red and gold. At night, Hogon-in’s garden is lit up, and the maples are reflected in the polished floor of its hall
- Best time: late November to early December (forecast around 24 November in 2026)
- Night light-up 2026 (Hogon-in): 13 November to 6 December, 17:30 to 20:30 (last entry 20:00), ¥1,000. Priority-entry and early-entry tickets let you skip the queue, and we can book them for you
- Where: about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR
- Where to stay: Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, or Hoshinoya Kyoto, both by the river in Arashiyama
4. Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto
- What it is: Kyoto’s most famous temple, with a wooden stage built out over the hillside
- Why people love it: from the stage, you see red maples below and the city of Kyoto beyond
- Best time: mid to late November
- Night light-up 2026: 21 to 30 November, 17:30 to 21:00 (last entry), ¥500 (children ¥200)
- Where: in Higashiyama, about 10 minutes by car from Kyoto Station
- Where to stay: Park Hyatt Kyoto is within walking distance
5. Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, Tokyo
- What it is: an avenue of about 150 ginkgo trees in central Tokyo
- Why people love it: in late autumn the trees turn bright yellow and form a golden tunnel, and the fallen leaves cover the pavement
- Best time: late November to early December
- Where: near Aoyama-itchome Station, close to Omotesando and Shibuya
- Where to stay: any central Tokyo hotel. See our Tokyo travel guide
6. Rikugien Garden, Tokyo
- What it is: a traditional Japanese garden from the 1700s, with a pond, small hills and teahouses
- Why people love it: the maples around the pond are lit up on autumn evenings, one of the few garden light-ups in central Tokyo
- Best time: late November to early December
- Entry: ¥300. The night light-up is usually held from late November to early December; check the dates before you go
- Where: near Komagome Station, about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station
7. Lake Kawaguchi Momiji Corridor, Yamanashi
- What it is: a path along Lake Kawaguchi lined with tall maples, one of the Fuji Five Lakes
- Why people love it: on a clear day, you see red maples with Mount Fuji behind them
- Best time: early to mid-November
- Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival 2026: 7 to 29 November. The corridor is lit up from sunset to 21:00, and entry is free
- Where: about 2 hours from Tokyo by car
- Where to stay: Hoshinoya Fuji or Fufu Kawaguchiko, both with views of the lake area
8. Hakone, Kanagawa
- What it is: a hot-spring area in the mountains near Mount Fuji
- Why people love it: you can see the leaves by day and relax in a hot spring in the evening
- Best time: early to late November, earlier higher up the mountain
- Where: about 1.5 hours from Tokyo by car or by train
- Where to stay: Gora Kadan or Hyatt Regency Hakone. Many ryokan have rooms with a private open-air bath. See our guide to private onsen for Muslim families and couples
9. Nikko, Tochigi
- What it is: a mountain area with shrines, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and Irohazaka, a famous winding road
- Why people love it: whole mountains turn red and yellow, and the colours come earlier than in Tokyo
- Best time: mid-October to early November. In 2026, Irohazaka is forecast to peak around 23 October
- Tip: the road up the mountain is very busy at weekends. A private car with an early start is the easiest way
- Where: about 2 hours from Tokyo
- Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, on Lake Chuzenji
10. Nara Park, Nara
- What it is: a large park with temples, shrines and about 1,300 free-roaming deer
- Why people love it: deer walking under red maples, which children love
- Best time: mid to late November
- Where: about 45 minutes from Kyoto by train
- Where to stay: Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara, next to the park
We can arrange a private car between these places and book the hotels for you.
Night light-ups: autumn leaves after dark
In autumn, many temples and gardens light up their maples in the evening. The red leaves glow against the dark sky, and in some temples they are reflected in ponds or in polished wooden floors. It feels completely different from the daytime, and there is nothing like it in the Gulf.
- Where: in Kyoto, Eikan-do, Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, To-ji and Hogon-in. In Tokyo, Rikugien Garden. Near Mount Fuji, the Momiji Corridor at Lake Kawaguchi
- Skip the queue: the most popular light-ups have long lines. Some temples sell priority-entry or early-entry tickets in advance, and we can book them for you
- Wrap up: it gets cold after sunset, so bring a light coat
- With children: go early in the evening
How to avoid the crowds in Kyoto
The last two weeks of November are the busiest time of the year in Kyoto.
- Go early: arrive at the most famous temples when they open, around 8:00 to 8:30
- Go on weekdays: save the big names for Monday to Friday
- Use a private car: buses between temples are packed, and a car saves a lot of time with children
- Book your hotel early: hotels in Kyoto for late November fill up months ahead
Autumn in Japan with children
Autumn is an easy season with children. Days are mild, around 17°C in Tokyo in November, and the typhoon season has ended. Nara Park, Arashiyama and Lake Kawaguchi are pleasant to walk with a pushchair. If you travel in the UAE winter break from 14 December, the leaves in Kyoto will be ending, but you can combine the last colours with Tokyo’s winter illuminations. See things to do in Japan with kids.
Autumn in Japan for couples
For couples, autumn is the season for a ryokan with a private open-air bath facing the mountains, and for the evening light-ups in Kyoto. Hakone and Arashiyama are the easiest choices. See things to do in Japan for couples.
Weather and what to wear in November and December
| Daytime high | Night-time low | |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo, November | 17°C | 9°C |
| Tokyo, December | 12°C | 4°C |
It is colder in the mountains (Hakone, Nikko, Lake Kawaguchi) and in the evening. Coming from the Gulf, it will feel cold, so pack a light coat, layers and comfortable shoes.
Planning your autumn trip from the Gulf
- This year: there is about a month left. Aim for the last week of November, and book hotels and flights now
- Next year: for autumn 2027, plan around 20 November to 5 December, and book Kyoto hotels in spring or early summer
- Flights: direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha take about 10 hours
- Before you book: check our Japan visa guide for UAE residents, how many days you need and things to know before going to Japan
- Prayer and halal food: see whether Japan is Muslim-friendly
For the other seasons, see the best time to visit Japan.
Let a Japanese local plan your autumn trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will match your trip to the latest leaf forecast, book the hotels, light-up tickets and private car, and send a full quotation. Plan my trip.
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan in 2026?
In Tokyo and Kyoto, from late November to early December. Kyoto's famous temples are usually at their best in the last week of November. Nikko and Hokkaido are earlier, in October.
Can I still see autumn leaves in Japan in December?
In early December, yes, in Tokyo and Kyoto. By mid-December most of the leaves have fallen, though some maples in Kyoto city last until around 18 December.
Where can I see autumn leaves near Tokyo?
In the city, the Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue and Rikugien Garden. For mountain colours, Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi are 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Is November a good time to visit Japan with kids?
Yes. Days are mild, the typhoon season is over, and places like Nara Park and Arashiyama are pleasant to walk. Kyoto is crowded, so visit the famous temples early in the morning.
How much does it cost to see the autumn leaves?
Many places are free, such as the ginkgo avenue in Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi and Nara Park. Famous temples in Kyoto charge about ¥500 to ¥1,000 (AED 12 to 24), and night light-ups are a separate ticket.
