1st week December in Kyoto for Autumn leaves

Am I at the right timing to see Autumn Leaves during December :-

1. 1st to 5th December in Kyoto
2. 6th to 8th TakAyama
3. 9th to 12th in Osaka
4. 13th to 16th in Wakayama

Appreciate valuable advise.

Hi. There are suggested timeframes on the site for autumn leaves (koyo). But the first week of December isn't good in Kyoto for autumn leaves, a lot of the leaves are already brown. I've been a few times at that time, and on those occasions we've caught good colour in Nara/Kyoto in the last week of November but then when the icy winds start it knocks them over pretty fast and while you'll still get the odd yellow or red tree here and there (places like Uji and Arashiyama still have quite a bit of colour even in early December), by 1 December it is well past its peak.

That said, early December is an awesome time to visit because the crowds of mid - late November have thinned out.

Hi Lazy Pious
Thanks for your feedback. Will appreciate on what we will see on arrival.

Nope. wrong.

It depends on the year, since weather is not controlled or determined by man.

That said, Oct to Nov is the colorful autumn period. December is when stuff starts to fall. Thus, why autumn is also called fall.
You may see something. Even so, it won't be anything amazing or awe-inspiring.

If you have never seen autumn colors before, it would be great. If not, please reconsider making autumn viewing the focus of your adventure. Disappointment is one of the greatest party popper on a trip. Only second to a missed flight.

Thanks, Joshua

Hmmmm... I have made the flight booking and it's will be sad and disappointed if its become fall...

Visited Japan on Spring/Cherry Blossom & alson Winter. This is my first time to visit Japan during Autumn /fall. So hoping the best of all.

I visited Kyoto early Dec last year, still witnessed a bit of colour, but not the best. The peak was effectively gone. Could this year be the same? Too early to predict.

Well, i would recommend going to low lying areas. Mountains like Takao are out. Heading to Kyushu may help. It was snowing on 31 Dec when i was there. Snowing heavily. And here i thought onsen towns are supposed to be hotter than that.

You will see something. I can guarantee that. I was Christmasing in Kyoto one year and there was some colors. But really little. Since you are going a few weeks earlier, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

It would make sense to put the autumn viewing spots at the beginning of your plan for the best chances of red yellow orange.

Hi Joshua

Noted and will check on Kyushu . Thanks.

In 2013, I visited Kyoto on Nov 18 -22 and the colors were starting to peak. Arashiyama was still somewhat pale compared to Ginkakuji and Kiyomizudera.

In 2014, I went to Kyoto on Nov 29th and it was already the peak at Kiyomizudera.

I think your safest bet would be to visit Kyoto in late November. First week of December might be OK but better in Nov.

Was in Kyoto and Arashiyama area last year from Nov 18-28, 2014 and the Colors was mostly peaking. So I sure Dec is not going to be good time for Autumn Leaves

Hope this helps!!
Have Fun!!

Thanks all for the feedback.