Nikko's leaves turn about a month before Kyoto's
Related guide: Japan autumn leaves 2026
The Japanese forecaster Weathernews issued its second autumn-colour forecast on 8 October 2026: peak colour on Nikko's Irohazaka road from about 23 October, and in Kyoto's Arashiyama from about 24 November. A warm autumn has stalled the colour, so places that normally turn after late October are expected to peak slightly later than usual this year.
The Nikko City Tourism Association's autumn-leaves page notes that altitude varies so much across the city that some part of it is in colour from early September to late November. The same page warns that Nikko is very crowded every year in the leaf season.
Kyoto City's official tourism site, Kyoto Sightseeing Navi, runs an autumn-leaves page that updates the colour spot by spot, including Arashiyama and Tofuku-ji. In Arashiyama, the walk from the bamboo grove to Togetsukyo Bridge along the Katsura River puts temples, bamboo and maples in one area.
Central Tokyo turns later than Nikko. At Meiji Jingu Gaien, the ginkgo avenue running about 300 metres from Aoyama-dori to the central plaza starts to yellow in mid-November and is usually fully gold from late November to early December.
The full guide to this festival
Japan autumn leaves 2026: Kyoto and Tokyo peak mid-November to early December, Nikko earlier
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Kyoto
Kyoto small-group day tour: Kibune, Nanzen-ji/Eikando, Sanzen-in & Eizan Railway
Departs Osaka or Kyoto, about 10–11 hours with a driver-guide. Foliage spots in northern Kyoto and Higashiyama in one day, for travelers short on time who would rather not change trains.
See pricesJapan eSIM (Softbank 5G / Docomo 4G)
Runs on Softbank or Docomo in Japan; install by QR code, unlimited-data plans with a choice of days.
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