Visitors to Kyoto are still waiting to enjoy the city’s peak autumn leaves season, which has been delayed this year due to rising temperatures caused by climate change.
One of Japan’s most popular destinations during fall due to the vast expanses of colourful foliage, the city typically sees most seasonal visitors by the end of November, the prime viewing time.
This year, however, the ideal date to view the momiji (maple) leaves in central Kyoto is expected to be December 16 due to “unusually high temperatures well into October this year”, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Arashiyama, one of the city’s most popular sightseeing districts and home to Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, is also predicted to be at its best for autumn leaves in mid-December.
As a result, guides and tour companies report a scramble as tourists seek to change their itineraries by visiting other parts of Japan before returning to Kyoto for the peak period. Many are heading north to Kanazawa, where both yellow and red leaves are already visible.
Still, chasing autumn leaves does not guarantee successful viewing as higher temperatures and other unseasonal weather phenomena has made Japan-wide forecasting more challenging.
The Japan Weather Association noted that vibrant autumn leaves require several conditions that have not been met this year. They include “moderate heat, sunlight, and rainfall during summer, no damage to the leaves from strong typhoon winds, and in autumn, adequate sunlight and rainfall along with significant temperature differences between day and night”.
