紅葉(もみじ)

もみじ
noun
autumn leaves; Japanese maple
See also: 紅葉(こうよう) (alternate reading; leaf color change)
1. autumn leaves; fall foliage
Leaves that have changed color in autumn, especially red and yellow.
紅葉(もみじ)を見(み)に京都(きょうと)に行(い)った。
I went to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves.
今年(ことし)の紅葉(もみじ)は美(うつく)しい。
This year's autumn foliage is beautiful.
京都(きょうと)の紅葉(もみじ)は美(うつく)しい。
The autumn leaves in Kyoto are beautiful.
2. Japanese maple
A tree known for its beautiful autumn colors (Acer palmatum).
庭(にわ)に紅葉(もみじ)を植(う)えた。
I planted a Japanese maple in the garden.
庭(にわ)に紅葉(もみじ)の木(き)を植(う)えた。
I planted a maple tree in the garden.
紅葉(もみじ)の葉(は)を押(お)し花(ばな)にした。
I made pressed flowers from maple leaves.

The kanji 紅葉(もみじ) has two readings with different nuances:

  • もみじ: autumn leaves (concrete), or the Japanese maple tree
  • こうよう: the phenomenon of leaves changing color in autumn

CULTURE:
紅葉狩(もみじが)り (autumn leaf viewing) is a beloved seasonal activity, similar to 花見(はなみ) (cherry blossom viewing) in spring. Peak season is typically November.

FAMOUS VIEWING SPOTS:

  • 京都(きょうと): temples surrounded by red maples
  • 日光(にっこう): Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture
  • 嵐山(あらしやま): western Kyoto

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 紅葉(もみじ)を見(み)に行(い)く: to go see autumn leaves
  • 紅葉(もみじ)の名所(めいしょ): famous autumn foliage spots
  • 紅葉(もみじ)が色(いろ)づく: the leaves change color

NOTE:
もみじ can also refer specifically to the Japanese maple tree (カエデ), which has distinctively shaped leaves often used as a design motif.

Related Words

Related: 紅葉狩(もみじが)り (autumn leaf viewing)
Related: 花見(はなみ) (cherry blossom viewing)
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Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.4.14 12:22
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