{"id":26945,"date":"2025-10-29T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26945"},"modified":"2025-10-27T16:56:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T07:56:39","slug":"best-locations-to-experience-autumn-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/best-locations-to-experience-autumn-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"The best places to experience autumn in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When autumn arrives in Japan, landscapes across the country turn all shades of red, orange,<\/span> and yellow. In Japanese, the process of leaves changing colors is called k\u014dy\u014d<\/em>, which prompts many trips for people around the country to go and see the changing of the leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the top places to experience the magic of autumn in Japan<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hokkaido<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The northernmost of Japan\u2019s islands is also the first to experience autumn colors. Combine the colors with the gorgeous natural scenery and it makes for a stunning experience. Some of the recommended places in Hokkaido to visit for autumn include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daisetsuzan National Park<\/strong> \u2014 this is Hokkaido\u2019s largest national park and the first place in Japan to see autumn colors. Included in this national park is Hokkaido\u2019s highest mountain, Asahidake (Mt Asahi).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Pond (Biei)<\/strong> \u2014 you might recognize<\/span> the stunning landscape of the Blue Pond thanks to an Apple OS wallpaper, but come here during autumn and you\u2019ll see not only the beautiful blue of the water but also the yellow leaves of the trees reflected in the pond surface. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noboribetsu<\/strong> \u2014 Hokkaido\u2019s most famous onsen<\/em> town is also a great place to experience autumn in Japan. Head to Jigokudani, a valley where the town gets most of its hot spring water, to see the colors amidst clouds of hot sulfur.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: mid September – mid October<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kyoto<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The former capital city is a beautiful place any time of the year, but especially during autumn, thus making it a popular place to see the magic of autumn in Japan. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous places of interest like Kiyomizudera<\/strong> and Arashiyama<\/strong> are breathtaking when covered in gold and red leaves. Other popular spots for autumn leaves viewing in Kyoto include Tofukuji Temple<\/strong>, Eikando Temple,<\/strong> and Kodaiji Temple<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: Mid November – Early December<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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T\u014dhoku<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being a bit further north, the T\u014dhoku region also sees autumn leaves a bit earlier than the rest of the country. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naruko River Gorge<\/strong> in Miyagi prefecture is extremely popular for photographers, with its oak, beech, maple, and cedar trees turning deep shades of red, yellow, and orange. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Tazawa<\/strong> in Akita prefecture, Tsutanuma Pond<\/strong> in Aomori, and the Hachimantai area are all popular with fans of autumn colors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: Late September – Late October<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tokyo<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might not be a nature lover\u2019s first choice to see momiji<\/em> (red maple leaves) in the country\u2019s largest metropolitan area. But, there are actually a few places in Tokyo to experience autumn in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shinjuku Gyoen<\/strong> \u2014 this beautiful park is a welcome escape from the crowds in one of the city\u2019s busiest areas and it is a popular destination for local momiji lovers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Showa Kinen Park<\/strong> \u2014 this sprawling, majestic park is popular amongst locals, not just around momiji season, but all year round. The ginkgo<\/em> avenue that greets visitors from the Tachikawa gate is a grand view to see when all the leaves turn yellow and the fields of cosmos flowers that bloom during autumn make for perfect floral photography subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koishikawa Korakuen<\/strong> \u2014 one of Tokyo’s oldest gardens is also one of the nicest places to experience momiji. The many Japanese maple trees make it a colorful place to stroll around in and despite it being so close to the heart of the city, it is extremely peaceful to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season in Tokyo: late November – early December<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who want to get out of Tokyo, but don\u2019t want to go too far can also head to the nearby towns of Kamakura or Hakone to experience autumn leaves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mt Takao<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is every Tokyoite\u2019s go-to momiji viewing location when they want to escape from the city. It can get extremely crowded, even when it\u2019s not autumn, so the <\/span>best thing here is to try and visit on a weekday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: Late November<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nikko<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The little city of Nikko packs a big punch when it comes to momiji, attracting a serious amount of visitors each year who go purely to experience the changing colors of the leaves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kegon Waterfall<\/strong>, Lake Chuzenji,<\/strong> and Shinkyo Bridge<\/strong> are all highly popular places for the ardent momiji hunters.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: Late November<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fuji Five Lakes<\/b> during Autumn in Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This area located near the bottom of Mt Fuji is another popular area for momiji that is not far from Tokyo. There are some excellent vantage points for photographers (particularly at Kawaguchiko<\/strong>), where you can get that famous photo of a snow-capped Mt Fuji framed by delicate red leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak season: Mid November<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will you be making the most of autumn? Where is your favorite place to experience autumn in Japan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to see it for yourself, join our Autumn in Japan <\/span>Study Trip<\/a>, and experience the best of the fall season!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about Japan, keep following our Go! Go! Nihon blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When autumn arrives in Japan, landscapes across the country turn all shades of red, orange, and yellow. In Japanese, the process of leaves changing colors is called k\u014dy\u014d, which prompts many trips for people around the country to go and see the changing of the leaves. Here are some of the top places to experience […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":117,"featured_media":25953,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[400],"tags":[663,669,685],"class_list":["post-26945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japanese-culture","tag-experience","tag-nature","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26945\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}