Autumn foliage in Japan is set to arrive later than usual this year, with warmer-than-average temperatures pushing the vibrant color change back by more than 10 days in many regions, according to a forecast released Wednesday by Japan Meteorological Corp. (JMC).
Record-breaking heat this September, coupled with sustained warmth through October, have collectively pushed peak foliage timing back across the country.
Tokyo’s bright yellow ginkgo foliage is expected to peak around Nov. 29 — six days later than average — while deeper red maple tones are forecast to emerge on Dec. 5, tying with 1990 for the most-delayed peak on record.
Predictions by JMC, a private weather forecaster, span both urban and natural landscapes from Hokkaido to Kagoshima Prefecture. The report includes projections for some 2,700 mountains and nearly 700 popular leaf-viewing spots, catering to the thousands of tourists who flock to these locations to witness the seasonal spectacle, similar to cherry blossoms in spring.
Eleven cities are on track to break records for how late their autumn foliage peaks, with the cities of Utsunomiya and Nagano among those seeing the greatest delays — over two weeks beyond their timing in an average year.
Vivid autumn displays rely on moderately warm temperatures, adequate sunlight and rainfall in the summer. It also depends on whether the temperature lowers in the fall coupled with a suitable amount of sunlight and rainfall.
Despite this summer’s series of typhoons, leaf damage has been minimal, and most regions report favorable conditions for autumn foliage viewing, according to a separate forecast in early October by the Japan Weather Agency.
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