Every autumn, Japan transforms into a magical landscape. The maple trees (momiji) turn a fiery red, the ginkgo trees a golden yellow, and the whole scene creates one of the most beautiful natural spectacles in the country.
Here is the 2025 leaf changing calendar, along with some cultural landmarks and the most iconic places to admire this unique season.
The following information is as of September 8, 2025, and is from the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) website.
2025 maple blossom calendar (momiji)
Here are the predictions for the start of maple leaf reddening in several major Japanese cities for 2025.
| Prefecture | City | Start | Average start |
| Hokkaidô | Sapporo |
November 7, 2025 |
October 28 |
| Aomori | Aomori | November 14, 2025 | November 13 |
| Miyagi | Sendaï | November 26, 2025 | November 21 |
| Tôkyô | Tôkyô | November 30, 2025 | November 28 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | November 30, 2025 | November 24 |
| Nagano | Nagano | November 23, 2025 | November 12 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | December 3, 2025 | November 28 |
| Kyôto | Kyôto | December 12, 2025 | December 5 |
| Ôsaka | Ôsaka | December 4, 2025 | December 1 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | November 13, 2025 | December 6 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | November 28, 2025 | November 22 |
| Kochi | Kochi | November 10, 2025 | December 2 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | December 9, 2025 | December 1 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | December 12, 2025 | December 15 |
2025 ginkgo yellowing calendar
Here are the predictions for the start of ginkgo leaf yellowing in several major Japanese cities by 2025.
| Prefecture | City | Start | Average start |
| Hokkaidô | Sapporo | November 6, 2024 | November 4 |
| Aomori | Aomori | November 6, 2024 | November 2 |
| Miyagi | Sendaï | November 29, 2024 | November 23 |
| Tôkyô | Tôkyô | November 26, 2024 | November 23 |
| Ishikawa | Kanazawa | November 11, 2024 | November 10 |
| Nagano | Nagano | November 15, 2024 | November 10 |
| Aichi | Nagoya | November 18, 2024 | November 18 |
| Kyôto | Kyôto | November 28, 2024 | November 24 |
| Ôsaka | Ôsaka | November 24, 2024 | November 22 |
| Wakayama | Wakayama | November 27, 2024 | November 23 |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima | November 21, 2024 | November 15 |
| Kochi | Kochi | November 17, 2024 | November 15 |
| Fukuoka | Fukuoka | November 28, 2024 | November 20 |
| Kagoshima | Kagoshima | November 28, 2024 | November 25 |
Information to understand and enjoy autumn in Japan
Definitions: kôyô, momiji, kaede
- Kôyô (紅葉): generic term to designate the change of color of leaves in autumn, whether they become red or yellow.
- Momiji (もみじ): A word used to describe red maple trees in autumn. The traditional activity "momiji-gari" literally means "hunting for red maple trees."
- Kaede (楓 / かえで): Japanese term simply meaning the maple tree, regardless of the season.
Best places to see momiji and ginkgo trees
For momiji (red maples)
- Sapporo (Hokkaidô) : Maruyama Park, Jozankei Valley.
- Nikko (Kantô) : Tôshôgû sanctuary, around the Kegon waterfalls.
- Kyôto (Kansai) : Arashiyama and its Togetsukyô bridge, Tôfuku-ji with its panoramic bridges.
- Miyajima (Chûgoku) : Momijidani, the "valley of maples", at the foot of Mount Misen.
- Fukuoka (Kyûshû) : Dazaifu Tenmangû Shrine, very popular in autumn.
For ginkgos (golden yellowing)
- Tôkyô (Kantô) : Meiji Jingû Gaien and its famous alignment of ginkgo trees called Icho Namiki.
- Kyôto (Kansai) : Heian Jingû gardens, with its large golden paths.
- Ôsaka (Kansai) : Castle Park (Ôsaka-jô), magnificent in autumn.
- Hiroshima (Chûgoku) : Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, crossed by rows of golden trees.
- Sapporo (Hokkaidô) : Hokkaido University, known for its impressive avenue lined with ginkgo trees.