Koyo, the turning of the maples and ginkgo, is as loved as the spring blossom and lasts much longer. Temple gardens glow red, mountain valleys turn gold, and many places light the trees up at night.
The colour starts in Hokkaido and the high mountains in late September and moves south and down, reaching Tokyo and Kyoto in the second half of November.
When to goLate September in Hokkaido, October in the Alps and Tohoku, mid to late November in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Where to go
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KyotoKyoto · 京都Tofuku-ji, Eikando and Arashiyama at their best in late November. -
NikkoTochigi · 栃木Lake Chuzenji and the Irohazaka road in October. -
HakoneKanagawa · 神奈川Mountain colour with hot springs in early November. -
OiraseAomori · 青森A riverside walk through red and gold beech forest. -
DaisetsuzanHokkaido · 北海道Japan's first colour, from mid-September. -
TokyoTokyo · 東京Golden ginkgo avenues in Meiji Jingu Gaien.
Good to know
- Higher ground turns first, so a mountain trip can catch colour weeks before the cities.
- Night illuminations at Kyoto temples need tickets on the day; queue early.
- Autumn is popular; book Kyoto hotels well ahead for late November.