In addition to the popular cherry blossom season, autumn in Japan is easily one of the best times for traveling in Japan. The ever-changing autumn colors, locally known as koyo, are highly anticipated, and the annual forecast predicts when leaves will change from green to amazing shades of yellow, gold and red.
Thankfully, there is plenty of time to enjoy this seasonal wonder as temperatures vary across the country. This means you will be able to capture leaves any time from the end of September to December. From temples in Kyoto to mountains in Hokkaido , if you want to see the essence of Japanese autumn, keep these beautiful destinations in your list.
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Hello autumn
Kyoto, Kyoto
If you only have time to go to a place in autumn, Kyoto is your best choice. The Japanese culture is the location of some of the most famous Red scenery , including the picturesque Ryuji Garden, where you can see the autumn scenery of the garden reflected on the polished black Raquet. Although Lanshan is famous for its bamboo forest, this rural community also provides beautiful autumn leaves on the forested mountains along the river.
Kyoto's temples are undoubtedly the highlight of autumn. You can capture beautiful leaves in many temples such as Tofuku Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Yongguan Hall. The peak hours of visiting Kyoto are usually from mid-November to early December.
Kebe Gorge, Toyama
This lush canyon is located in the northern Alps of Japan and is one of the deepest canyons in Japan. The area is famous for the Heibuxia Railway, which is 20 kilometers long and passes through the mountainous terrain. There are several stations along the way that can enjoy panoramic views of nature. This is a great place to visit in the fall, especially between late October and mid-November.
Naruto Canyon, Miyagi Prefecture
This jaw-dropping canyon located in the northwest of Miyagi Prefecture is one of the top natural attractions in the northeast. From late October to early November, the trees here blushed in the shadows of golden and Auburn. For the best view, head to Narutobashi Guesthouse, where you can see the famous Otsukasawa Bridge from the observation deck. To immerse yourself in a beautiful environment, stroll along the Naruko Canyon Walk to the bottom of the canyon.
Mino Waterfall, Osaka
Looking for a waterfall with autumn leaves as the background? Mino Falls in Osaka check all the correct boxes. The 33-meter-high waterfall can be reached by a leisurely trek in Minoo Park for 45 minutes. Along the trail you will pass by some local shops and temples that add to the charm of the area. A must-try specialty in autumn is the red leaf tempura sold in some shops in the park. To capture the colors of autumn, plan your visit around mid-to-late November.
Dingshanxi Hot Spring , Hokkaido
This charming hot spring town located in the western part of Hokkaido is Hongyang Seekers' favorite destination. The views of the resort town are particularly memorable at this time of year, as the area around the Hoheikyo Dam and the famous Red II-Si suspension bridge is filled with colorful leaves. To gain air superiority, take the cable car at Sapporo International Ski Resort and see the blushing leaves from above. The best time to visit Dingshanxi Hot Spring is from early October to mid-October.
Three Kingdoms Pass, Hokkaido
Three Kingdoms entrance along National Highway 273, is located at an astonishing height of 1,139 meters above sea level. From this height you will get some of the best views of Hokkaido fall from late September to mid-October. The scenic driveway passes through Big Snow Mountain National Park , where you can also find a large number of trees that change colors as the weather cools. The best time to visit is between September and October, with free parking and a lookout point along the way for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Towada Lake, Aomori
The largest crater lake on Honshu Island in Japan is a scene worth seeing in autumn. Because the weather tends to be colder in northern Aomori Prefecture, the trees here tend to change their color a little earlier than those in southern, and the peak season is usually around mid-to-late October. The coast is full of beech trees , which turn bright yellow, and red-leaf maple trees, which are famous for their vermilion-red shadows. What makes this scenic spot truly spectacular is the reflection of Towada Mountain and its seasonal leaves on the lake.
sunlight, Tochigi prefecture
north of Tokyo, sunlight feels like a mini Kyoto with temples and picturesque natural scenery that are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , especially in autumn. The scenery has many attractions, but Xinqiao and Longjin Waterfall offer some of the best photos.
Shinkyo Bridge is located near the entrance of the main shrines and temples of Nikko. Its bright red matches perfectly with seasonal vermilion leaves. Longjin Waterfall, also known as Longtou Waterfall, is part of the Yukawa River that flows into the Chuanzenji Lake. In autumn, the leaves here turn into golden, orange and red shades, making the waterfall look like a dragon. The peak season of red leaves in sunlight is usually from early October to early November.
Nara Park , Nara
Nara Park is so vast that you can spend the whole day hiking and enjoy all the autumn leaves. One particularly noteworthy place is the surrounding area around Todaji , where there are red red maple , brilliant yellow ginkgo, and of course the famous bow deer. In the middle of Nara Park you will encounter Ukimido, a beautiful wooden gazebo that looks like it floats on a pond. This special place is particularly scenic in autumn, as the colorful leaves are reflected on the surface of the pond, creating a striking visual illusion. The peak season in Nara will last roughly from mid-November to December.
Kawaguchi Lake, Yamasaki Prefecture
Nothing can make "Japan" scream more than Mount Fuji surrounded by beautiful autumn leaves. While either of Fuji Five Lakes is a great place to capture seasonal plants, Kawaguchi Lake is especially amazing. The lake offers two vantage points: the red leaf corridor along the Naxi River and the iconic red leaf tunnel, allowing you to admire Mount Fuji, which is composed of red maple leaves . The trees here usually do not start to turn red until mid-November to late November and should last until early December.
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, Liuyiyuan, Tokyo
If you prefer to stay in Tokyo, there are still many parks and natural attractions to enjoy autumn leaves. One of the best attractions in this city is Liuyiyuan. During the peak of autumn, Japanese landscape gardens usually hold evening lighting, which is a rare opportunity to see leaves in different lights. The best time to visit? Try late November to early December.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Must-do
If you are full of red leaves and are looking for something different, please go to Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. In autumn, the kochia (summer cypress ) fields in the park are a worthwhile sight. As the weather cools, small, lush plants turn from bright green to bright red. This vast park is a fun day trip as it can be reached over an hour from downtown Tokyo. These bushes are in their best shape around mid-October. Entering later this month, the bushes will be dusty and golden tones.
