Fall in Japan: 7 Spectacular Autumn Leaves Spots
*Peak foliage times can change based on the weather. Be sure to check official sources for the latest updates before you go.
Daisetsuzan National Park (Hokkaido)
Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan National Park is famous for being the first place in Japan to see the autumn leaves. Around mid-September each year, the summits of peaks like Mt. Asahidake reach their peak color, with the vibrant reds of Japanese rowan and yellows of alpine azaleas creating a stunning, carpet-like spectacle. Ropeways on Mt. Asahidake and Mt. Kurodake offer easy access to this otherworldly landscape at 1,600 meters, allowing you to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views as if you were taking a stroll in the sky.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel La Vista Daisetsuzan
For those exploring the autumn colors of Mt. Asahidake, we recommend La Vista Daisetsuzan, conveniently located near the ropeway station. The hotel's interior has the serene ambiance of a European mountain lodge, where a warm fireplace welcomes you. The main attraction is its natural onsen, with hot spring water flowing directly from the source. While soaking in the open-air bath, you can gaze at a sky full of stars or watch the majestic mountains glow in the morning sun.
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Oirase Stream (Aomori Prefecture)
Oirase Stream in Aomori Prefecture is a famous spot where you can enjoy stunning views of autumn leaves and water while strolling along the river. As you walk the approximately 14-kilometer trail, you'll be enveloped in a tunnel of red and yellow leaves overhead. Along the way, you'll encounter a variety of dynamic landscapes, including the powerful Choshi Otaki Waterfall and the rushing rapids of Ashura no Nagare. Listening to the murmuring stream and the sound of waterfalls, you can experience the vibrant beauty of autumn with all your senses.
Recommended Hotel
Towadakohan Sakura
Nestled on the shores of Lake Towada, the resort hotel "Sakura" offers easy access to the entrance of Oirase Stream, making it an ideal base for your sightseeing. The hotel is also popular for its large public bath, featuring water filtered through rare Hokutolite stones. All guest rooms have a lake view, offering stunning vistas of the tranquil Lake Towada. With its warm, homely hospitality and peaceful lakeside setting, this hotel is a place where you can truly relax your mind and body.
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Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture)
Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is a renowned autumn destination where you can enjoy both magnificent nature and historic buildings over an extended period. Due to the varying altitudes, the fall colors first reach their peak in the Oku-Nikko area around mid-October. Here, you can see breathtaking views of the powerful Kegon Falls set against a backdrop of vibrant leaves. Later, the peak season moves down the mountain to the World Heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine, where you can admire the historic landscape as the ornate shrine buildings are beautifully framed by autumn colors.
Recommended Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, is situated on the tranquil shores of Lake Chuzenji in Oku-Nikko, offering a location enveloped in serenity. From the private balcony of your spacious guest room, you can admire a picturesque view of Mount Nantai and Lake Chuzenji unfolding before you. The expansive open-air onsen features therapeutic hot spring water drawn from the renowned Nikko Yumoto Onsen. Here, you can immerse yourself in the soothing waters and unwind completely while breathing in the crisp, clear air of Oku-Nikko.
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Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is a renowned autumn destination where you can enjoy iconic Japanese landscapes from a variety of modes of transport. The ropeway offers a sweeping panorama of the fall foliage below and the majestic Mt. Fuji in the distance. On Lake Ashinoko, a sightseeing cruise awaits with scenery so perfect it looks like a painting. Furthermore, as Hakone is a famous hot spring resort, a major appeal is the ability to view the beautiful autumn leaves right from your guest room or open-air bath, depending on your choice of accommodation.
Recommended Hotel
Odakyu Hotel de Yama Hakone Lake Side
The Odakyu Hotel de Yama is a resort hotel that prides itself on its vast garden. In autumn, the trees are adorned with beautiful colors, providing a serene setting to quietly enjoy the fall foliage of Hakone. Another highlight is the open-air bath, which features water from a private hot spring source known as "Bihada-no-yu" (hot spring for beautiful skin). From this bath, you can gaze upon the spectacular scenery of Lake Ashinoko.
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Korankei Gorge(Aichi Prefecture)
Korankei in Aichi Prefecture is a premier autumn leaf destination in the Tokai region, with the colors gradually reaching their peak from early November. Approximately 4,000 maple trees dye the banks of the Tomoe River in vibrant colors, and their reflection on the water's surface is breathtakingly beautiful. The scene created by the valley's iconic red Taigetsukyo Bridge and the fiery foliage is an especially perfect photo spot. Every November, the "Momiji Matsuri" (Maple Leaf Festival) is held, featuring evening light-ups that allow visitors to enjoy a magical atmosphere different from the daytime.
Recommended Hotel
Meitetsu Toyota Hotel
The Meitetsu Toyota Hotel boasts an ideal location, just a one-minute walk from Toyotashi Station, which serves as the main hub for accessing Korankei via public transport. During the autumn foliage season, a direct bus to Korankei also operates from the station front. As a city hotel, it provides comfortable rooms and reliable service, ensuring a pleasant and worry-free stay for all guests.
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Arashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)
Arashiyama, in the ancient capital of Kyoto, is one of Japan's premier scenic spots for autumn leaves, reaching its peak beauty in late November. From its iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, you can gaze upon a picturesque landscape created by the mountains, adorned in reds and yellows, and the Katsura River. The views from various modes of transport are also exceptional, including the Sagano Romantic Train that runs through the gorge and traditional Yakatabune houseboats on the river. Furthermore, a visit to the World Heritage Tenryu-ji Temple reveals the refined beauty of a traditional Japanese autumn, where the meticulously designed garden exists in perfect harmony with the fall colors.
Recommended Hotel
Kadensho, Arashiyama Onsen, Kyoto - Kyoritsu Resort
Kadensho boasts an outstanding location, situated directly in front of Hankyu Arashiyama Station. With major tourist attractions like the Togetsukyo Bridge within walking distance, it serves as an ideal base for exploring Arashiyama. Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy a large public bath with a natural hot spring, as well as five different private, reservable baths, perfect for indulging in "yu-meguri" (a tour of the various baths).
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Miyajima Momijidani Park (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, where autumn leaves reach their peak in mid-November, is a special destination where you can enjoy both a visit to the World Heritage Itsukushima Shrine and leaf viewing at the same time. In the island's Momijidani Park, approximately 700 maple trees dye the valley in vibrant reds and yellows. The vermilion-lacquered Momijibashi Bridge makes for an excellent photo spot. If you're lucky, you might even encounter adorable wild deer wandering among the colorful leaves. Why not enjoy this heartwarming autumn scenery, full of traditional Japanese charm?
Recommended Hotel
Iwaso Ryokan(Hiroshima Prefecture)
To truly savor the autumn leaves of Miyajima, stay at Iwaso, a long-established ryokan situated at the entrance of Momijidani Park. With vibrant maple trees coloring the immediate vicinity of the inn, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery right from your guest room window. This allows you to experience the luxury of feeling as if you have the valley's autumn colors all to yourself, without ever leaving the comfort of the ryokan.
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