I was planing to visit central japan between 12.11 to 03.12 which would be the tail end of fall leaves season according to my research. Unfortunately i might have to push my plans by one week to 18.11 to 09.12 which means i might get lucky and catch some fall leaves the first week but after that it would be winter. I enjoy a good scenery and a colorful city to explore so it would be a bummer if it felt as depressive as most cities do in the winter.
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What can i expect after the fall leaves drop? Is the greenery dead and the cities feel grey like in the rest of the world during that time? I could alternatively go earlier, like 16.10 – 05.11, miss the fall leaves and instead get greenery, but at the same time risk rain and typhoon to interrupt my trip.
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I did as much research as i can on the topic but there isnt really much information on whats japan like after the fall leaves, so i will very much appreciate anyone taking the time to answer my question!!
13 comments
There are still momiji in Kansai, and beginning of December is the peak of gingkos in Tokyo. I also happen to like bare branches hung with persimmons at this time of year.
(usually, like in the last 10 years or so; no guarantees with this year’s weather)
Yes, trees aren’t green after the leaves fall. So yeah they are pretty grey/brown and look like big sticks in the ground. That sums up what trees in Japan (other than evergreens) will look like.
By definition after fall leaves drop there is no more leaves on trees and so it will be brown.
You should be good until early December, and then you can escape to Kamakura where foliage is a little later than central Tokyo.
Kyoto/Osaka was still mostly green with some fall colors during my trip last year. I was there from Nov 28-Dec 3.
Fall foliage also tends to last longer that sakura and I suspect just like sakura has been trending earlier, koyo has been trending later.
I was in Nabana no Sato on December 27th and there were still a few maples with colorful leaves. I did not expect to see any because it was late December and the week before Nagoya actually had snow accumulations.
I went mid to late November last year (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) and there were still plenty of green leaves still on trees, although many had begun to change colour but not fall yet. I think you should be alright.
I slept out in the park in Tokyo in November one year and sunbathed. Saying this a few days later I needed to buy a woolly hat and a sweatshirt so tbh there is no telling what the weather will be like and thus what the foliage is like. However Japan is always beautiful whether that be the beautiful greenery of summer or the interesting yellow that some street lined trees turn In Akihabara for instance.
Fall in Kansai isn’t really until November, keep that in mind. If you’re there in October and want to see red foliage you go up into the mountains, but if you’re there late and want greenery you head south or to Kyushu.
I went early to mid November tokyo and the trees we’re still golden
Tokyo has a humid subtropical climate and there are flowers blooming and birds active every single month of the year. When the leaves fall from the maples and others trees, that is when you can enjoy the many evergreen and citrus trees.
Am I having a stroke? What dates are you talking about? What date is “16.10” and what date is “18.11??” I’ve stared at this for ten minutes. Not being snarky! I’m laughing! Can someone help me understand? I’m invested because I’m also traveling in November and curious about the leaf situation. Thanks! Lol.
Japanese cities also start decorating for Christmas and setting up winter illuminations pretty early, more or less after Halloween ends. I find the cities feel bright and beautiful around this time of year. I’m from Seattle, so I’m very familiar with grey and depressing winters haha.
Winter in Japan is very sunny. The greenery may be gone, but there are plenty of blue sky days. Good opportunities to see Mt. Fuji, too.