When to See Peak Autumn Colours in Japan: A Cinematic Journey of Colourful Leaves

For as long as I can remember, I felt a longing to visit Japan. And not just in any season, but my favourite season — Autumn.

I'd been inspired by photos and videos from other travellers (and travel brochures) over many years. I dreamt of the quiet before winter and the breathtaking beauty of red maples fluttering in the breeze.

On our first ever trip to Japan, my husband and I managed to time our trip perfectly to see the autumn leaves at their peak foliage. It was an indescribable joy to capture the colours through my camera, not to mention witness the leaves falling overhead and leaf confetti under my feet.

Below is everything you need to know about timing an Autumn trip to Japan and how to enjoy the small rituals that make this season feel sacred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-5L-ToDn7Y

I created this short peaceful film as a cinematic love letter to my favourite season — special and everyday moments in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto.

When is the best time to see Autumn leaves in Japan?

Japan’s autumn season stretches from late September to early December, moving gradually from north to south.

Here is the the autumn leaf map you'll need to use to plan your trip

Hokkaido: late September to mid October

Tokyo & Kyoto: Mid November to late November

Kyushu & southern regions: late November to early December

If you're travelling to the central or lower parts of the country, I believe the most breathtaking time to visit Japan for autumn colour is mid-November to late November, when the maples (momiji) and ginkgo trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold.

Remember that depending on your preferred location, season and weather, it can vary each year. It is always best to check the map above!

For our first time to Japan, our itinerary covered the most popular locations – Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. As first time travellers to Japan, we were very lucky to enjoy peak colour and foliage at every stage of our trip, so below are the dates we travelled (in 2024) in case it helps.

Peak Autumn Colours in Tokyo

We arrived in Tokyo on the 19th November and left 26th November.

The first thing we noticed about our trip to Japan was that each city had a predominant autumn 'colour' or tree type. Tokyo is in abundance of Ginkgo trees!

These are my very favourite trees. I was so excited to arrive to a sea of yellow in Tokyo. Many city streets are lined with Ginkgo trees as their primary street trees and also in beautiful groves within parks.

In retrospect, I discovered that Tokyo is often called "City of ginkgos" because they are the city's official symbol and are planted extensively throughout the city.

So if you're wanting peak colour in Tokyo - go for the Ginkgos!

Important note: When we returned for our final leg in Tokyo on the 6th December, the ginkgo leaves were faded or mostly fallen.

Autumn leaves in Tokyo - All Photos ©Tiny Giraffe

Peak Autumn Colours in Hakone

We arrived in Hakone on the 26th November and left 28th November.

Hakone was much more diverse in its variety of autumn tree colour and more akin to what I expected to see before I left home - a vibrant mix of yellow, orange and red, and every shade inbetween.

You'll enjoy the autumn colours everywhere you go in this region, but they are spectacular as seen from above on the Hakone Ropeway!

The autumn view above was taken from Togendai Station, a popular stop on the Hakone Ropeway next to Lake Ashi (and one of the departing points for the Hakone Pirate Ship).

Peak Autumn Colours in Kyoto

We arrived in Kyoto on the 28th November and left 6th December.

You'll be excited to discover that Kyoto is the "city of maples".

We couldn't get enough of the vibrant red and orange leaves falling overhead and littering the footpath like nature's confetti.

It makes for a very special Kyoto experience to discover the trees are just as much an attraction as the city's ancient sacred sites and temples. Together they are magic!

Autumn colours at Giōji Temple

🎨 Why Autumn Is Japan’s Most Cinematic Season

There’s something inherently cinematic about Japan in autumn. The quality of light softens, the air turns crisp, and the natural beauty of nature makes every frame feel easy to compose.

As an artist, I found the season intoxicating and addictive. The details of golden temple roofs against fiery leaves, temple reflections in still ponds, the quiet ritual of people pausing to photograph a single branch or leaf — it all spoke to the beauty of attention.

This is also a season that captures Japan’s reverence for impermanence, or wabi-sabi — the awareness that nothing lasts forever, and that the transience of beauty is what makes it so moving.

When filming autumn in Japan, I was enamoured by both special and everyday moments: the textures of plants as I touched them, a secret sunset spot to watch Tokyo turn gold and a newly married Japanese couple standing under a falling canopy of yellow gingko leaves.

Each moment became its own story.

Upon returning home, I am nostalgic for the beauty and reverence I felt for that country and that season. I can vividly recall the beauty and peace from my days there.

In Japanese culture they also have a word for seasonal awareness - kisetsu. I am inspired to create bespoke artworks, wallpapers and wallpaper murals from my trip that reflect the beauty of this season - the ideas are overflowing.

This artwork was created as a custom commission inspired by Gifu, Japan. I create personalised city map artworks for clients who want to celebrate places close to their hearts.

I'm currently creating a hand-drawn and handpainted map of Tokyo! My city map artworks take many weeks to make! If you'd like to see the artwork when it's completed, pop your email in below to join my mailing list:

Slow Travel Tips for Experiencing Autumn in Japan

Your itinerary may take you to busy cities, but Autumn in Japan isn’t meant to be rushed. Even in busy Tokyo, you can find the most simple, peaceful moments.

The beauty lies in pausing to observe — in noticing how one tree turns before another, how the air shifts each morning. You'll notice how the trees change over the duration of your stay from beginning to end.

Here are a few ways to experience it slowly:

• Stay longer in fewer places. Give yourself time to see how the light and colours evolve each day.

• Visit smaller towns and neighbourhoods. Some of the most meaningful moments happen away from crowds — in a quiet alleyway or local garden. Head off the beaten path - there are many beautiful places that instagram hasn't discovered.

• Wake early. The stillness of morning brings a quiet calm you can’t find later in the day. Many sacred sites are quietest in the early morning with fewer visitors so this is the best time for photographs too!

• Embrace local rituals. Warm up in an onsen surrounded by autumn leaves, join a harvest festival, or savour seasonal dishes like roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes.

The slower you travel, the more deeply the season (and place) reveals itself.

A Reflection on Change and Creativity

Autumn in Japan was more than a holiday — it was a slow moving meditation through colour and culture.

I've travelled to many countries and left my heart all over the place, but Japan holds a very special place in my heart. A year on, I reminisce about this trip most days and am longing to go back. It's safe to say I left my heart in Japan.

Watching the leaves fall reminds me how creative seasons mirror natural ones: a time for colour and reflection, for shedding what is no longer needed and preparing for rest before renewal and growth.

As an artist and photographer, I’m constantly inspired by these cycles (and trying to honour them rather than rushing my way through life) — the way light fades and returns, how beauty is always in motion. This film was my attempt to capture some of those fleeting moments, even just for a few minutes.

I share one of my favourite stories of my time in Japan here:

Wishing you all the Autumn colour for your next trip to Japan!

Love,

Kylie + Mr G