NewsOct 3, 2026

今年ことしの紅葉こうようは少すこしゆっくり？

Read an original N4-level Japanese news article about when the autumn leaves are expected to reach their best colors across Japan in 2026.

A realistic autumn view of red, orange and yellow maple leaves in a Japanese mountain valley

日本気象協会にほんきしょうきょうかいは、10月がつ1日ついたちに、今年ことしの紅葉こうようの見頃みごろについて発表はっぴょうしました。

On October 1, the Japan Weather Association announced its forecast for the best time to see the autumn leaves this year.

今年ことしの紅葉こうようは、全国的ぜんこくてきに、いつもの年としと同おなじぐらいか、少すこし遅おそくなるそうです。

Across Japan, the autumn colors are expected to arrive around the usual time or a little later than usual.

秋あきの気温きおんが低ひくいと、葉はは早はやく色いろづきます。気温きおんが高たかいと、色いろづくのが遅おそくなります。

When autumn temperatures are low, leaves change color earlier. When temperatures are high, they change color later.

北海道ほっかいどうや東北とうほくの山やまでは、もう色いろづきが進すすんでいる所ところもあります。

In some mountain areas of Hokkaido and Tohoku, the leaves are already changing color.

しかし、東日本ひがしにほんと西日本にしにほんの平地へいちでは、見頃みごろが遅おそくなる所ところもありそうです。

However, in some low-lying areas of eastern and western Japan, the best viewing time may arrive later.

紅葉こうようを見みに行いく前まえに、最新さいしんの情報じょうほうを確認かくにんすると安心あんしんです。

Before going to see the autumn leaves, it is a good idea to check the latest information.

赤あかや黄色きいろに変かわる秋あきの景色けしきが、今いまから楽たのしみですね🍁

We can already look forward to Japan’s red and golden autumn scenery.

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News source: Japan Weather Association, “2026 Autumn Leaves Forecast” (October 1, 2026). This article uses the published facts but was written independently for Gaku learners.

「紅葉」 is read 「こうよう」 when it means leaves changing color. The same kanji can also be read 「もみじ」 when referring to maple leaves or a maple tree.

Today's Words

紅葉こうようautumn leaves; leaves changing color
見頃みごろthe best time to see something
色いろづくto change color; to begin coloring
平地へいちflat or low-lying land
最新さいしんlatest; newest

What You Can Practice

「〜そうです」 can report information you heard or read. 「遅おそくなるそうです」 means “it is said or expected to be later.”
「〜と」 can describe a natural result. 「気温きおんが低ひくいと、葉はは早はやく色いろづきます」 means that lower temperatures lead to earlier color changes.
「〜前まえに」 means “before doing ~.” 「見みに行いく前まえに」 means “before going to see them.”