From late September to early December, Japan becomes a painting full of red and orange maples. During this seasonal spectacle, known as koyo (autumn leaves), many travelers around the world comes to Japan just to see this beautiful natural phenomenon.
Whether you’re planning a first-time Japan trip or returning for a deeper dive, this guide walks you through:
- When to visit each region
- Where to find the best autumn leaves/foliage, from Hokkaido to Kyushu
- Suggested itineraries for different trips
- Practical tips for transport, hotels, and spots
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When is Autumn Leaves Season in Japan?
Source: Japan Travel Official Website
- Hokkaido (Sapporo, Daisetsuzan): late September – mid October
- Tohoku (Aomori, Akita, Sendai): early October – early November
- Northern / Central Honshu mountains (Nagano, Nikko, Japanese Alps): mid October – mid November
- Tokyo & Kanto lowlands: late October – late November
- Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe): mid November – early December
- Chugoku, Shikoku & Kyushu: mid November – early December
Some tips for travelers:
- For one week trips, pick one or two regions that align with your dates instead of chasing everything.
- Early November and early December are great for fewer crowds and cheaper stays.
- Always check the latest autumn leaves forecast when it is closer to departure, during this time of the year, temperature changes quickly.
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan
Hokkaido — First taste of fall (late September to mid October)
Source: Hokkaido Love Official Website
- Why go: Earliest autumn leaves season/foliage in Japan, wide and open landscapes, fewer crowds than main spots.
- Top spots:
- Daisetsuzan National Park: Earliest place to view foliage in Japan with hiking trails, ropeways and valleys.
- Jozankei Onsen (near Sapporo): River with vibrant leaves and hot springs.
- Hakodate & Onuma Park: Lakes, islands and mountains covered in autumn colors.
Tohoku – Deep valleys & quiet onsens (October)
Source: Nippon.com Official
- Why go: Raw landscape with scenic narrow valleys giving off a slower and local feel.
- Highlights:
- Oirase Stream & Lake Towada: River trails surrounded by maple trees.
- Naruko Gorge (Miyagi): Iconic koyo views from bridges and platforms.
- Hachimantai & Zao Onsen: Mountain and hot springs covered with red and orange.
Tokyo & Kanto – Urban koyo made easy (late October to late November)
Source: Rakuten Official
- Perfect for short trips and travelers visiting for the first time who want to experience the autumn seasons smoothly.
- In Tokyo:
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Wide lawns with momiji & ginkgo lined paths.
- Rikugien & Koishikawa Korakuen: Classic Japanese gardens with evening lights.
- Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue: Long tunnel of golden ginkgo trees.
- Ueno Park: Easy access, good for families.
Kyoto – Iconic koyo temples (mid Novemebr to early December)
Source: Rakuten Official
If there’s one name you already know, it’s Kyoto... the global keyword for “Japan autumn leaves”. Kyoto’s temples and gardens regularly appear in top foliage lists.
Must-see spots:
- Kiyomizu-dera: Wooden stage overlooking a forest of red and gold.
- Tofuku-ji: Famous bridge views over a valley of maples.
- Eikando: Late season maples with stunning night illuminations.
- Nanzen-ji & Philosopher’s Path: Classic stone paths and temple grounds.
- Arashiyama: River, mountains, temples, bamboo grove, and the Togetsukyo Bridge framed by autumn colors.
Osaka, Nara & Kobe – Places Around Kansai
Source: Tourist Japan
- Osaka:
- Osaka Castle Park: Moat and stone walls wrapped in yellow and red trees.
- Minoo Park: Easy hike ending at a waterfall surrounded by foliage.
- Nara:
- Nara Park & Todai-ji: Autumn colors + friendly deer + UNESCO temples.
- Kobe & Himeji:
- Mountain ropeways and castle gardens with autumn backdrops.
- Good for: Visitors basing in Kyoto/Osaka looking for a simple autumn day trip.
Japan Autumn Leaves: Practical Planning Tips
Flights
- Early season: Fly to Sapporo (CTS) or Sendai.
- Main season: Tokyo (HND/NRT) or Osaka (KIX).
- Consider multi-city tickets (Arriving in Tokyo, Leaving from Osaka) to avoid backtracking.
Transportation
- Use the Shinkansen and limited express trains to move efficiently between autumn spots.
- Consider JR Pass or regional passes if doing multiple long-distance rides.
- For Hokkaido, Tohoku and the Alps, a rental car provides flexibility for lakes, gorges and rural onsens.
Where to Stay
- In areas (Kyoto, Nikko, Kawaguchiko, Hakone), book 1–3 months in advance.
- For onsen towns, recommend ryokan with in-house hot springs and foliage views.
- Near major parks or temples, staying within walking distance saves time and avoids crowd.
Budget & Crowds
- Autumn foliage is a high demand season, especially mid Novemeber weekends in Kyoto & Tokyo.
- To avoid crowds & higher prices:
- Travel on weekdays.
- Visit major temples early morning or evening.
- Consider sceneries which are less famous for a better experience.
Kyoto Kinkaku-ji Night Maple Illumination & Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway 1-day Tour with Tickets
Price: $91.05
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*Prices vary by season, availability, and ticket type. All prices are in USD.
Japan Autumn Leaves: Recommended Itineraries
Itinerary One: 7 Days – Tokyo, Nikko & Mt. Fuji Highlights
Best for: First-time visitors, late October to mid November
- Day 1 to 3: Tokyo
- Explore Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien, Meiji Jingu Gaien.
- Evening views & city attractions.
- Day 4: Nikko Day Trip
- Toshogu Shrine, lake and waterfalls framed by rich autumn colors.
- Day 5 to 6: Hakone or Kawaguchiko
- Onsen stay, ropeways, lake cruise.
- Fuji + foliage (autumn leaves) view (especially Kawaguchiko’s Momiji Corridor).
- Day 7: Tokyo/departure
Itinerary Two: 9 to 10 Days – Kyoto, Osaka & Nara Route
Best for: Culture lovers, mid Nov–early Dec.
- Day 1 to 4: Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera, Eikando, Nanzen-ji, Philosopher’s Path, Gion at night.
- One evening at a foliage illumination event.
- Day 5: Arashiyama
- Bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, riverside temples.
- Day 6: Tofuku-ji & hidden temples
- Day 7: Nara Day Trip
- Nara Park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha.
- Day 8 to 9: Osaka
- Osaka Castle Park, Minoo Park, Dotonbori food crawl.
- Day 10: Departure (KIX)
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Japan Autumn Leaves FAQ
Is November the best month to see autumn leaves in Japan?
For most classic routes—Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Miyajima—early to late November is usually the safest bet, with some areas (Kyoto, Hiroshima, parts of Tokyo) often good into early December depending on the year.Can I see Mt. Fuji with autumn leaves?
Yes. Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the best places to see Mt. Fuji framed by red and yellow leaves, especially during the local Autumn Leaves Festival in November.What if I miss the exact peak for Autumn Leaves season in Japn?
Colors don’t disappear overnight. Many regions enjoy a broad window of yellow and red tones, and slightly off-peak travel often means fewer crowds and better rates.Is autumn in Japan suitable for families and seniors?
Absolutely. Many foliage spots are in parks, gardens and temple grounds with paved paths, rest areas and public transport access. Check accessibility info when choosing specific viewing points.