Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan 2025

Still have no idea where to go for your ideal fall foliage spots in Japan? From popular Kyoto to capture the most classic side, to Hokkaido or Nagano, where you can totally embrace the natural fall colors. For your best fall trip to Japan, below are the top places to see autumn leaves in Japan for reference.

Kyoto

Best Time for Kyoto's Fall Colors: Mid-November to Mid-December

Kyoto's fall foliage season perfectly blends Japanese culture with breathtaking natural beauty. Here, you can experience the classic elegance of miyabi - the harmony between ancient temples and vibrant autumn leaves, reflecting one another in a serene glimpse of Zen.

Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Kyoto:

Eikando (Zenrinji Temple): A favorite spot for fall color photography, especially during the evening illuminations that reflect off the pond. For a higher view, climb to the Tahoto Pagoda, where you can see the entire temple surrounded by a sea of gold and red.

Arashiyama: Known for the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama is particularly stunning on a sunny day when the surrounding mountains are dotted with vibrant maple leaves, contrasting beautifully with the lush, green bamboo forest.

Kiyomizu-dera: Offering panoramic views of the entire city, Kiyomizu-dera is one of the best spots to take in the autumn scenery of Kyoto. The sprawling cityscape and distant mountains are covered in endless shades of red. Special evening lighting events extend your autumn experience, allowing you to enjoy the illuminated pagoda and surrounding foliage long into the night.

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Tokyo

Best Time for Tokyo Autumn Leaves: Late October to Late November

Blessed with an excellent transport network, it is easy to start your autumn leaves viewing in Tokyo. Amid towering skyscrapers or behind the neo-light streets, you can always find parks and gardens to hop into for their vibrant gold and red, giving it a different kind of cyberpunk flavor.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Tokyo:

Mount Takao: An outdoor retreat just an hour from the center of Tokyo, perfect for a leisurely hike or a scenic train ride through a landscape of swaying red and golden leaves. Visit during the autumn festival to experience seasonal celebrations amidst the breathtaking natural scenery.

Meiji-Jingu Gaien: The outer garden of Meiji Shrine, where a stunning 300-meter avenue of golden ginkgo trees creates an unforgettable sight. Unlike the fiery reds of maples, these luminous yellow leaves offer a strikingly elegant backdrop for capturing memorable photos.

Rikugien Garden: A traditional Japanese landscape garden features charming tea houses tucked beneath the fiery autumn branches, where you can sample Japanese-style dessert while coming across the cute carp swimming among floating leaves.

Tea Houses Decorations in Autumn Flavor

Mt. Fuji

Best Time to See Fall Colors Around Mt. Fuji: Late October to Mid-November

As Japan's iconic landmark, Mt. Fuji is a top destination for capturing the beauty of autumn foliage. While the snow-capped mountain itself lacks maple and ginkgo trees, numerous scenic spots nearby offer breathtaking views of its majestic peak framed by vibrant fall foliage.

Best Fall Foliage Spots Around Mt. Fuji:

Lake Kawaguchi: A stunning location where you can stand along the shore or stroll through the Maple Corridor, taking in the vast blue waters and the majestic silhouette of Mt. Fuji merging into the horizon. Floating autumn leaves add the perfect finishing touch, creating a scene reminiscent of a classic Ukiyo-e painting.

Oshino Hakkai: This charming village, home to eight pristine springs fed by Mt. Fuji's melted snow, offers a breathtaking layered landscape that combines the towering snow-capped peak, colorful red, yellow, and green forests, and traditional thatched-roof houses reflected in crystal-clear ponds.

Arakurayama Sengen Park: After a scenic 30-minute hillside hike, you'll reach one of the most iconic photography spots in Japan. From here, you can capture the perfect composition of Mt. Fuji, fiery autumn leaves, and the striking crimson Chureito Pagoda, all in a single breathtaking frame.

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Osaka

Best Time for Osaka's Autumn Leaves: Late October to Early December

Similar to Tokyo, Osaka is a major transportation hub with a wealth of parks, temples, and illuminated nightscapes. Beyond fall foliage viewing, the city offers endless experiences: from savoring authentic street food at bustling stalls to joining lively local celebrations with the fall colors.

Best Places to See Fall Colors in Osaka:

Osaka Castle Park: Surrounding the iconic Osaka Castle, this park bursts into vibrant autumn hues. Among its colorful maple and hazelnut trees stands a majestic ginkgo tree that's over 300 years old. Whether you prefer a peaceful stroll or a relaxing picnic, this scenic spot is perfect for enjoying the season.

Expo '70 Commemorative Park: A former World Expo site that comes alive in autumn with festivals and events. Here, fall foliage viewing is a lively experience, featuring everything from traditional tea ceremonies during the autumn leaves festival to open-air concerts filled with music and dance.

Nara

Best Time for Fall Foliage in Nara: Mid-November to Early December

A fall visit to Nara is a journey into the harmony of nature, where ancient temples and wandering deer create a uniquely serene atmosphere. This historic forest city offers a more spiritual experience, making it an ideal destination for families or those looking to immerse themselves in Zen culture.

Best Places for Fall Colors in Nara:

Nara Park: While the moss-covered temples and stone lanterns add to the charm of the fall scenery, the park's adorable deer often steal the spotlight. Be mindful of your deer crackers - unless you're ready to be "surrounded"! For a quieter experience, take a stroll deeper into the park, where you'll find gentle deer roaming peacefully among the falling leaves.

Mount Yoshino: Famous for its breathtaking cherry blossoms in spring, Mt. Yoshino also dazzles in autumn with a vibrant display of red and gold. Whether you join an invigorating hike alongside mountain practitioners or opt for a tranquil temple stay, the seasonal beauty of this sacred mountain will leave a lasting impression.

Nara Deer With Autumn Leaves

Hokkaido

Best Time for Hokkaido's Fall Colors: Late September to Early November

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, offers the first glimpse of autumn colors as early as September, when you can dive into its colorful forest mountains to embrace the stunning landscapes, without the crowds or high prices of the peak season.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Hokkaido:

Daisetsuzan National Park: Home to the stunning Sounkyo Gorge lying in its center, where you can take a cable car ride through the dramatic cliffs and waterfalls while capturing those wildly growing yellow and red maples that flourish in early September.

Jozankei: A tranquil onsen town surrounded by dense forests, perfect for unwinding in its open-air hot springs where you can soak in warm waters while admiring the brilliant autumn colors - an ideal blend of relaxation and seasonal beauty.

Jigokudani (Hell Valley): Located in Noboribetsu, this volcanic crater area is a striking fall foliage destination. Wander along the scenic hiking trails, take in the surreal sight of steam rising from the ground, and even enjoy a natural footbath onsen, all while immersed in the vibrant hues of autumn, enhanced by the valley's signature sulfur-scented air.

Kanazawa

When to See Autumn Leaves in Kanazawa: Mid-November to Early December

Also known as "Little Kyoto", Kanazawa boasts plenty of traditional gardens and delicate castles to pair with the autumn leaves season, offering another kind of quintessentially Japanese landscape, from samurai residences to feudal lord castles and even traditional farmhouses.

Best Fall Foliage Place Around Kanazawa

Kenrokuen Garden: Worth both day and nighttime visits to sample the different tastes of this top Japanese garden. The eastern hill of Yamazaki is full of maples to cover your footprints, while the higher Sazaeyama in the west is best for capturing its breathtaking reflections on the pond.

Kurando Terashima's House: A well-prepared samurai residence from the Edo period, with a delicate garden to feel the changing season: from spring azalea brightening the mud walls to fall enkianthus shrubs transforming into brilliant shades of red and yellow.

Shirakawago: About a 1-hour drive from Kanazawa is the tranquil Japanese village of Shirakawa, famous for its snow-covered thatched-roof houses in winter. However, autumn brings its own charm - golden farmlands, fiery maples, and the warm hues of traditional grass-roofed houses create a stunning seasonal landscape you won't want to miss.

Autumn Foliage Around Traditional House

Nagano

Best Time for Momiji Viewing in Nagano: Late October to Late November

The mountainous landscape in and around Nagano gives the autumn leaves viewing there with more exceptional hiking opportunities to enjoy the most of the refreshing nature of the Japan Alps, from highlands to gorges, all vivid in their unique colors.

Best Autumn Leaf Spots around Nagano:

Kamikochi: A lovely hiking highland with a gurgling river meandering through the gorge, forming a tranquil pond that perfectly reflects the autumn views - surrounding trees glow in shades of gold and orange, while the distant peaks remain dusted in misty white.

Tateyama Kurobe: Also a popular hiking trail in the northern Japanese Alps, where nature paints a stunning layered masterpiece: from lush green foothills to golden mountainside, crowned with crimson and fiery red canopies, all beneath a brilliant snowy peak against the azure sky.

Shiga Kogen: Home to numerous emerald-colored ponds and marshes that contrast beautifully with the surrounding fall foliage. This highland is perfect for a leisurely hike at your own pace or a scenic drive along winding roads, tracing the sunset as it casts a golden glow over the landscape.

Kumano Kodo

Best Time for an Autumn Hike: Late October to Late-November

Ancient pilgrimage routes lead to the sacred sites of Kumano Sanzan, deep in the forest or along the road, with rivers trickling through and towering trees surrounding them, allowing you to experience the autumn chill fully - this is Kumano Kodo, which has become one of the best Japanese trekking trails in fall when the paths are set against a backdrop of layered colors.

Best Fall Foliage Spots Along Kumano Kodo

Nakahechi: The most popular trail to enjoy the fall colors, where golden leaves blanket the path beneath lush cedar trees. Along the way, you'll find vibrant half-red maples and moss-covered Jizo statues, all leading to Hongu Taisha, home to a striking torii gate.

Kumano Nachi Taisha: This revered shrine marks the final stop of the pilgrimage, where fiery red maples contrast beautifully against the crimson torii gate and pagoda. Don't miss Nachi Falls behind the main hall - a pure white cascade flowing from the mountains, framed by drifting autumn leaves that add a touch of seasonal splendor.

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Kyushu

Best Time for Fall Foliage in Kyushu: Late November to Late December

On the opposite side of Hokkaido, Kyushu serves as the tail of Japan's fall foliage season, where you can enjoy its stunning fall colors till late December with its pleasant temperature, also an ideal choice if you are looking for a more crowd-free atmosphere or affordable prices with those wild branches and leaves.

Best Places for Kyushu's Fall Colors:

Takachiho Gorge: Formed by the eruption of Mt. Aso, this volcanic gorge is best explored by a leisurely boat ride. Glide through towering, verdant cliffs as you pass cascading waterfalls, hear birds warbling in the distance, and watch golden leaves drift on the water. Alternatively, follow the paved path above for an easy walk and discover the perfect angle to frame the gorge with vibrant maple leaves.

Kamado Shrine: Known for its matchmaking deities, this sacred site is also home to a lively fall foliage festival. It's an ideal destination for couples, offering a romantic stroll along a crisp, golden leaf-covered path, or enjoying the enchanting glow of illuminated lanterns while sampling delicious treats from local food trucks.

Takachiho Gorge With Golden Maples

Capture the Best Fall Colors in Japan With Odynovo

As you stroll along, the entire fall colors unfold from north to south. This breathtaking visual feast of Japan is a gift for every visitor. Whether you're seeking the best spots to capture the classic autumn colors or simply want to immerse yourself in the country's natural beauty, feel free to contact us for a seamless fall foliage tour featuring the most picturesque locations.