2025 Autumn Foliage Peak Viewing Forecast (as of October 9) Peak Viewing Expected Around or Later Than the Usual Time Nationwide; Color Change to Accelerate in Northern Japan From Mid-October

2025.10.07

The leaf coloration is expected to progress in Hokkaido, with many areas likely to reach their peak viewing period from mid-October onward.
Nationwide, however, due to the continued trend of above-normal temperatures through early November, the peak viewing period is expected to be later than usual, particularly in mountainous and high-altitude areas.

The fall foliage season is not only a major seasonal highlight for domestic travelers but also a key attraction for international visitors to Japan. During this period, travel activity is expected to increase, bringing vibrancy to tourism and local economies.

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Autumn Foliage Peak Forecast for Various Regions Across Japan

This year, the peak viewing period for fall foliage is expected to be around the usual time or later.

The timing of peak fall foliage depends on fall (September–November) temperatures: Cooler weather accelerates color change, while warmer weather delays it.

In September, temperatures were higher than average nationwide. The warmer-than-average trend is expected to continue through October. However, in Hokkaido, temperatures are forecast to be below average in mid-October and around average toward the end of the month. In early November, temperatures are expected to remain above normal nationwide, but in late November, many regions are expected to experience an increasing number of seasonally typical cold days.

Regional Autumn Foliage Peak Forecast

Northern Japan (Hokkaido and Tohoku)

The peak viewing period for fall foliage is expected to be around the usual time or later.

Since September, temperatures have generally remained above average. However, in Hokkaido, many days are expected to be cooler than average through mid-October, and near average toward the end of the month. As a result, in many parts of Hokkaido, the color change is likely to progress rapidly in mid-October, leading to peak viewing around the usual time.

In the Tohoku region, temperatures are expected to remain near or above average through late October, and therefore, the peak viewing period is likely to be around the usual time or later.

Eastern Japan (Kanto-Koshin, Hokuriku, Tokai)

The peak viewing period for fall foliage is expected to be around the usual time or later.

Temperatures have remained above average since September, and this trend is expected to continue. According to the latest forecast, October temperatures are projected to be even higher than in the previous outlook (issued on September 18). As a result, in mountainous foliage spots, the peak viewing period is likely to be delayed.
In contrast, in lowland areas, however, as the warm temperature trend eases from late November onward, the peak viewing period is expected to occur around the usual time.

Western Japan (Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu)

The peak viewing period for fall foliage is expected to be around the usual time or later.

Temperatures have remained above average since September, and this trend is forecast to continue. According to the latest outlook, temperatures from October through early November are expected to be higher than in the previous forecast (issued on September 18). As a result, in high-altitude areas, the peak viewing period is likely to be delayed, with many locations reaching their peak later than usual.
In lowland areas, however, as color change progresses from late November onward, the peak viewing period is expected to be mostly around the usual time.

Japan Weather Association’s Autumn Foliage Forecast

In every year, Japan Weather Association (JWA) announces forecasts for the best time for fall foliage and its viewing spots throughout Japan from September to November.

(Only available in Japanese)

• For details of the 2025 “Autumn Foliage Peak Viewing Forecast” along with information on foliage spots nationwide beyond the major locations listed above, click here: [tenki.jp] 2025 Autumn Foliage Forecast
• For color change updates for various regions:
  For PC, click here: [tenki.jp] 2025 Autumn Foliage Forecast & Weather Information
  For tablets and smartphones, click here: [tenki.jp] 2025 Autumn Foliage Forecast & Weather Information

What is Autumn Foliage?

Autumn foliage (Kōyō in Japanese) is a phenomenon in which the leaves of trees change color to red or yellow in fall. In Japan, the change starts around September in Hokkaido and the high-altitude areas of Honshu. Autumn foliage makes its way from north to south and can be enjoyed until December in areas between Kanto and Kyushu. The maples turn red, and the ginkgoes turn yellow.

Data Used in the Forecast

The following types of data are used to forecast the best times for foliage viewing:

• Past autumn foliage and temperature data observed by Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
• Past foliage data at target spots by cooperative organizations
• Temperature data of each spot forecast by JWA

In this year, the forecast will be released two more times through November. Updates will be posted on this page.

Other JWA Services to Use with Our Autumn Foliage Forecast

In addition to the autumn foliage forecast, weather forecast data can provide valuable insights for predicting the flow of people and for enabling travelers to better plan their visits.

In Japan, where weather patterns are highly volatile, the accuracy of forecasts is a critical factor influencing the quality of decisions in both travel and business. Leveraging high-precision forecasts and up-to-date meteorological data is essential for risk reduction and successful planning.

• Weather Data API
  JWA’s weather API is designed to allow developers to access highly accurate weather information for any location. Data such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, snowfall, wind direction and speed, and general weather conditions can be retrieved in a single request through a user-friendly API.
  For the overview, please see: Weather API Overview
• Product Demand Forecasting
  Analyze product sales and weather data to forecast product demand and customer traffic to adjust production volume and optimize inventory management.
• 2-Year Long-Term Weather Forecasts
  JWA has developed the industry’s first forecasting method that offers higher accuracy and longer forecast periods than conventional approaches. This service provides numerical forecasts for monthly temperature, precipitation/snowfall, and sunshine duration, as well as information on the rainy season and typhoon activity. For more details, please see:
  What are Long-Term Forecasts? JWA’s Proprietary “2-Year Long-Term Weather Forecast” and Its Business Applications Part 1 / Part 2