Autumn Leaves in Kyoto in Early December: Will You Catch Them? (2026)
In an average year, Kyoto's autumn leaves reach peak color around December 5. For a December 1–10 trip, the chance of overlapping peak color is ~79%, and the chance of seeing at least some autumn color is ~97%.
Across December 1–10 in an average year, expect roughly 4 days of colours turning, and 4 days of peak colour. A mix: greens shifting to yellows and first reds, deepening daily.
Shift your dates in Kyoto: Kyoto · Late November · 19% peak · Kyoto · Mid December · 57% peak
Better odds for December 1–10 elsewhere: Osaka · Early December · 95% peak · Kobe · Early December · 85% peak · Tokyo · Early December · 84% peak · Kochi · Early December · 78% peak
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