Autumn Leaves 2026 / November 2026

Autumn Leaves in Japan: November 2026

58 koyo spots typically peaking in November 2026, across Japan. Windows are re-checked against official sources.

Travelling in Japan in November 2026

The peak of the autumn colour season across most of Honshu, and the month the first winter illuminations switch on, generally from mid-November. Days are short — it is dark by around 5pm — which suits illuminated night viewing but leaves less daylight for sightseeing. Culture Day and Labor Thanksgiving Day both fall in November and make popular viewing spots noticeably busier.

Japanese public holidays this month — expect heavier crowds at the spots above, and on the trains to them:

Autumn leaves in November 2026: common questions

Which autumn leaf spots are on in Japan in November 2026?
This page lists 58 autumn leaf spots falling in November 2026, spread across 9 regions — Kansai, Kanto, Kyushu, Koshinetsu, Tokai, Tohoku, Shikoku, Chugoku and Hokuriku. Highlights include Naeba Dragondola Autumn Leaves, Nikko Autumn Leaves (Irohazaka & Lake Chuzenji) and Oirase Gorge Autumn Leaves. Every date is re-checked against the official source for that event.
When exactly do they run?
Across the 58 listed here, the season starts as early as Oct 10 and as late as Nov 25, with the last of them running until about Dec 10. Individual dates are on each event's page; windows shift by a week or more from year to year with the weather.
Are there any public holidays in Japan in November 2026?
Yes — Culture Day (Tuesday, November 3) and Labor Thanksgiving Day (Monday, November 23). Popular viewing spots and the trains to them are noticeably busier on public holidays and the weekends either side of them.

See the full koyo calendar →