Autumn has arrived in Japan, but in many parts of the country, we still have to wait a little longer for one of the most beautiful sights of the season: kōyō (紅葉・こうよう), when the leaves turn shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Unlike cherry blossoms, which make their way from south to north in spring, autumn colors generally begin in the colder areas of northern Japan and at higher elevations before gradually reaching the rest of the country.
So, when is the best time to see them? Just as Japan has cherry blossom forecasts in spring, there are also autumn foliage forecasts that can help you plan when and where to see the changing leaves. In 2026, the Japan Meteorological Corporation is once again publishing forecasts for red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo leaves across Japan.
Momiji and Kōyō: What Do They Mean?
If you look at an autumn foliage forecast in Japan, you will probably come across the words momiji and kōyō. Although they are closely related, they do not always mean exactly the same thing.
The Japanese word 紅葉 has two common readings in this context. When read as kōyō (こうよう), it refers broadly to leaves changing color in autumn. When read as momiji (もみじ), it usually refers to Japanese maples or their colorful leaves.
You may also see 黄葉 (こうよう). It is pronounced kōyō as well, but the first kanji, 黄, means “yellow.” The term is used for leaves that turn yellow in autumn, particularly those of ginkgo trees, or ichō (イチョウ). This distinction is useful when checking forecasts because red maples and yellow ginkgo trees do not necessarily reach their peak colors at the same time.
When Is the Best Time to See the Autumn Leaves?
A useful word to recognize when planning an autumn outing is migoro (見頃・みごろ). It means the best time to see something, or its peak viewing period. There is no single migoro for all of Japan. The timing of the autumn colors varies depending on the region, altitude, and temperatures each year.
In 2026, for example, the autumn foliage forecast predicts that red maple leaves will reach their best viewing period around November 7 in Sapporo, November 29 in Tokyo, December 4 in Osaka, and December 11 in Kyoto. These dates are forecasts rather than guarantees, so they can change depending on temperatures and weather conditions as autumn progresses.
Where Can You Check the Momiji Forecast?
The Japan Meteorological Corporation (日本気象株式会社) publishes an autumn foliage forecast covering hundreds of locations across Japan. Its forecast includes both red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo leaves, making it useful whether you are planning an autumn trip or simply wondering when the leaves in your area will begin to change.
The forecast is also available in English and updated during the season, so it is worth checking again as your planned outing gets closer:
2026 Autumn Foliage Forecast — Japan Meteorological Corporation
Useful Words You May See in Autumn Forecasts
Even if you are not studying Japanese, recognizing a few words can make Japanese autumn foliage websites and signs much easier to understand. One is irozuku (色づく・いろづく), meaning “to change color.” You may see it in descriptions of how far the autumn colors have progressed. Another is ochiba (落ち葉・おちば), meaning “fallen leaves.” If many of the leaves have already fallen, the peak viewing period may be coming to an end.
And then there is momijigari (紅葉狩り・もみじがり), a traditional expression for going out to enjoy the autumn leaves. The word kari (狩り) usually means “hunting,” but momijigari has nothing to do with hunting in the literal sense. It simply means heading out to admire the autumn colors, whether at a temple, in a park, or in the mountains.
Time to Start Watching the Forecast
Autumn is already here, so now is a good time to start checking the forecasts and thinking about where you would like to see the colors this year.
And you do not need to memorize a long list of Japanese vocabulary to use the forecasts. Recognizing just a few terms—such as kōyō (紅葉), momiji (紅葉), and migoro (見頃)—can help you understand what you are looking at and, most importantly, figure out when it is time to go out and enjoy the autumn leaves.
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