2025 Japan Autumn Foliage: 10 Best Viewing Spots & Estimated Dates
Want to know the best viewing spots for Japan autumn foliage and their estimated peak dates? Read on!
We’ve been to Japan in spring and spotted some cherry blossoms in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. Next on our Japan bucket list is to experience its autumn season, when leaves change color to lovely shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown.
Until then, we’re making this Japan autumn foliage guide so we can already imagine our autumn trip to the Land of the Rising Sun soon.
Japan autumn season
So, when is the best time to travel to Japan if you want to catch the fall foliage? Time your trip during the estimated Japan autumn foliage forecast dates, which usually start from mid-September to early December.
2025 Japan autumn foliage forecast
The 2025 Japan autumn foliage forecast is yet to be released by Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC), so keep an eye on its official announcement soon.
To give you a better insight, last year’s Japan autumn foliage (yellow leaves) started on 5 Nov 2024 in Sapporo with the last fall foliage (red leaves) on 21 Dec 2024 in Kagoshima. See the official 2024 Japan autumn foliage forecast.
2025 Japan fall foliage spots & estimated viewing dates
See popular Japan autumn foliage spots and estimated dates based on last year’s data:
| Popular Areas | Estimated Viewing Dates | |
| Yellow Leaves | Red Leaves | |
| Tokyo | ||
| Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue | Dec 2 – 13 | Dec 2 – 13 |
| Ueno Park | Dec 4 – 14 | Dec 4 – 14 |
| Osaka | ||
| Osaka Castle | – | Nov 21 – Dec 10 |
| Minoh Park | – | Nov 30 – Dec 11 |
| Kyoto | ||
| Kiyomizu-dera Temple | – | Dec 2 – 14 |
| Arashiyama | – | Dec 1 – 15 |
| Nagoya | ||
| Korankei Gorge | – | Nov 28 – Dec 9 |
| Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens | – | Nov 30 – Dec 12 |
| Other areas | ||
| Lake Kawaguchi (Yamanashi) | – | Nov 24 – Dec 3 |
| Ritsurin Garden (Kagawa) | – | Nov 30 – Dec 12 |
*The estimated Japan fall foliage dates on the table are based on the official 2024 Japan autumn foliage forecast. We’ll update this as soon as the 2025 forecast is released.
Best places for Japan autumn foliage
Tokyo
1. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
Imagine passing through a breathtaking street blanketed by golden yellow leaves — this is exactly what you’ll see at Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue in Tokyo’s Minato City.
Over 100 ginkgo trees were planted here, and during autumn, the avenue transforms into a fairytale-esque landscape, making it one of the most popular spots for autumn foliage in Japan’s capital city.
Best viewing date: Early Dec
Admission: FREE
Address: 2 Chome, Kita-Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
How to get there: Ride the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Gaienmae Station or Aoyama-Ichome Station. From either station, walk for about 5 minutes to reach the spot.
2. Ueno Park
Ueno Park is not only known for its family-friendly attractions like Ueno Zoo and Tokyo National Museum, but also for its cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.
During the fall season, the ginkgo and maple trees here add more striking colors to the already beautiful environment.
Best viewing date: Late Oct
Admission: FREE
Address: Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan, 110-0007
How to get there: From Tokyo Station, ride the JR Yamanote Line to Ueno Station, where you can follow the signs to JR Ueno Station Park Exit.
Osaka
3. Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is best visited not only during the cherry blossom season in Japan, but also during fall, when the air becomes cool and autumn foliage starts to appear.
We spotted cherry blossoms here in spring, and we’d like to revisit it in autumn, when yellow and red leaves shroud the castle, making it a sight to behold!
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: FREE (Park); ¥1,200 (Main Tower)
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Japan
How to get there: Ride the Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station to Osakajokoen Station (northeast) or Morinomiya Station (southeast) of Osaka Castle.
4. Minoh Park
Minoh Park or Minoo Park is an easy day trip from Osaka and one of the best spots to see autumn foliage in Japan’s Kansai Region.
Follow the paved path that leads you to Minoh Waterfalls, the park’s main tourist attraction, where you can strike a pose against a picturesque backdrop of red maple leaves. Since you’re already here, do sample some momiji tempura, a unique snack of deep-fried maple leaves.
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: FREE
Address: 1-18 Minookoen, Minoh, Osaka, Japan, 562-0002
How to get there: From Umeda Station, ride the Takarazuka Line to Ishibashi Station. Then, transfer to the Hankyu Minoh Line to Minoh Station, where you can find the park’s entrance.
Kyoto
5. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a World Heritage Site dating back to more than a thousand years ago. Many tourists come here for an immersive cultural experience while donning a Japanese kimono.
This sacred site becomes even more popular during the fall season, when the autumn foliage adds a dramatic effect to the ancient setting.
Best viewing date: Early Dec
Admission: ¥500 (Adult); ¥200 (Elem & Junior High Students)
Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan, 605-0862
How to get there: From Kyoto Station, ride the Kyoto City Bus #86 or #206 to Gojozaka Bus Stop. Then, walk towards the temple.
6. Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a top tourist spot in Kyoto, famous for its bamboo forest and natural setting that changes color every season.
During autumn, the surrounding area turns into astonishing shades of red, orange, and yellow. Why not take your experience up a notch by riding a romantic train that passes through the scenic autumn foliage?
Best viewing date: Early Dec
Admission: FREE (Bamboo Forest)
Address: Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan, 616-8394
How to get there: From Kyoto Station, ride the JR Sagano Line or JR Sanin Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Nagoya
7. Korankei Gorge
Korankei Gorge is a scenic spot for autumn foliage in Japan with over 4,000 maple trees, which are said to have been planted by monks.
Tourists and locals flock here in November to see the unparalleled beauty of the autumn foliage and join the annual Korankei Maple Festival, where you can watch traditional performances and sample some local delights.
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: FREE
Address: Iimori Asukecho, Toyota, Aichi, Japan, 444-2424
How to get there: From Nagoya Station, ride the train to Toyotashi Station. From Toyotashi Station, ride either Toyota Oiden Bus or Meitetsu Bus 61 going to Korankei Bus Stop.
8. Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
If you’re an animal lover who also wants to see some incredible autumn foliage in Japan, go to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya. Here, you can find different species of animals including koalas, lions, elephants, giraffes, red pandas, and their resident gorilla.
Come autumn, the trees that naturally grow here change their leaves into different hues, which become even more eye-catching as the colors reflect on the water.
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: ¥500
Address: 3 Chome −７０, Higashiyama Motomachi, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, 464-0804
How to get there: From Nagoya Station, ride the Higashiyama Line to Higashiyama Koen Station, where you can walk to the zoo’s entrance.
Other areas
9. Lake Kawaguchi (Yamanashi)
What’s a trip to Japan without adding Mt. Fuji to your itinerary? One of the best places to see Mt. Fuji is Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture.
This natural attraction turns even more enchanting during the fall season, when the autumn leaves form a mesmerizing contrast to the already magnificent Mt. Fuji view.
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: FREE
Address: Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan
How to get there: Ride the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. Then, transfer to the Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station. You can also hop on a bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station.
10. Ritsurin Garden (Kagawa)
Ritsurin Garden is a famous autumn foliage spot in Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture. Visitors come here to see the spectacular autumn illumination, which happens every night in November and December.
You can either stroll around the garden or ride a wasen, a traditional Japanese-style boat, for a more romantic feel.
Best viewing date: Late Nov
Admission: ¥500 (Adult); ¥170 (Children)
Address: 1-Chome-20-16 Ritsurincho, Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan, 760-0073
How to get there: From Takamatsu Airport, ride the bus (Bus Stop 2) to Ritsurin Garden Bus Stop. Or from Takamatsu Station, hop on a bus (Bus Stop 4 or 5) to Ritsurin Garden Bus Stop.
Plan your trip during the Japan autumn foliage dates and visit these viewing spots across the country. Surely, you’ll fall in love with Japan during this fascinating season!
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