Hokkaido
Typically, the autumn foliage season in Japan starts in mid September in Hokkaido – the northernmost main island of the country. Famous for its surreal scenery and untamed wilderness, Hokkaido is home to a plethora of magnificent sprawling national parks that would look even more spectacular in the fall season, including Daisetsuzan, Akan, and Noboribetsu. Furthermore, the island plays host to plenty of awesome events during this time of the year, such as the Sapporo Autumn Fest, Iomante Fire Festival, and a whole lot more!
More information:Best viewing time: Late September to late OctoberMost accessible airport: New Chitose Airport in Sapporo
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Hokkaido:
- Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park – It is the only Japanese national government park located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and its colorful leaves make a breathtaking visual combination with the stunning rainbows on display in October.
- Hokkaido University – A famous spot lined with trees adorned in amber-colored leaves during autumn. It’s located in downtown Sapporo and often rated as one of the top universities in all of Japan.
- Jozankei – A laid-back spa town wrapped by steep mountains speckled with golden and yellow leaves. It’s also one of the most developed onsen towns in Hokkaido and is only an hour away from central Sapporo.
- Lake Shikotsu – A serene caldera lake surrounded with beautiful forests, giving it a mesmerizing feel in autumn. You can get stunning views of Mount Tarumae in the backdrop too!
- Sounkyo – It has hot springs, gorges, valleys, cliffs and waterfalls that look more appealing in fall. Here you can also find many onsen resorts and adventure seekers can scale waterfalls and mountains, with the aid of chairlifts and ropeways.
Tohoku
From majestic lakes to steep mountains, Tohoku boasts some of the best and most popular spots for Momiji (autumn leaf) viewing. A history buff’s delight, Tohoku is also dotted with samurai residences and ancient castles that will look more appealing and grand with autumn foliage in the background. And, did we mention that Tohoku is a acclaimed sake region that manufactures some of the country’s finest rice wines? Kampay!
More information:Best viewing time: Early October to mid OctoberMost accessible airport: Akita Airport (local flights only)
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Tohoku:
- Lake Towada – A lakeshore and a double caldera dressed gorgeously in yellow and red during autumn.
- Oirase Keiryu Stream – Its autumn leaves, paired with its gorge, look nothing short of amazing.
- Tsutanuma Pond – Commonly used for travel promotion posters, this spot has trees with ultra red leaves that look like they are bursting into flames.
- Mt. Hakkoda – The striking contrast between red fall leaves and pure white ice-capped peaks create an overwhelmingly gorgeous setting.
- Mt. Kurikoma-Yama – It has a lush expanse of trees with fiery leaves covering the whole mountain.
Photo credit: Flickr/Oirase Stream/柳雩/CC-BY
Kanto
Whether you’re visiting it in spring, winter, summer or autumn, you surely won’t run out of things to do in Kanto. After all, it is where the wealthy and buzzing capital of Japan, Tokyo, is located. Not to mention, it has a few booming and picturesque cities full of charms and quirks, such as Saitama, Mashiko, Kinugawa, Nikko and Yokohama. And of course, the region also turns into a lovely sea of autumn colors from late October to early December, thanks to its scenic parks, like the Oze National Park and Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.
More information:Best viewing time: Late October to early DecemberMost accessible airport: Narita International Airport
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Kanto:
- Mount Takao – The scattered fall colors of the mountain make it one of the best autumn foliage viewing spots in Tokyo. It’s a great place to get away from the bustle of Tokyo city and experience the wonder of nature in all its glory!
- Okunikko – Known for its serene hiking trails, it has outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by hot springs, streams, marshlands, lakes and waterfalls.
- Irohazaka Winding Road – One of the most wonderfully weird roads in Japan, this winding road is also beloved for the beautiful views of the changing colors in autumn.
- Shibu Peak and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane – Traveling across this route in fall feels like wandering around in a magical fairy land.
- Meiji Shrine Garden – Not only will it wow you with its sheer size, but it can also leave you in awe with its meticulously groomed trees and plants lining the winding walkway.
Chubu
Chubu boasts a cluster of high-altitude mountains that display fiery foliage in autumn, such as the Japanese Alps and Mount Fuji. Located right in the heart of Japan, this region also brims with historical villages, hot springs and breathtaking landscapes. To top it all off, it flaunts a trio of World Heritage Sites and dozens of castles, including the Nagoya Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, Okazaki Castle, Maruoka Castle, and Gifu Castle.
More information:Best viewing time: Late October to early DecemberMost accessible airport: Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Chubu:
- Korankei – It has forested paths along a river that look enchanting in fall, thanks to its 4,000 maple trees.
- Shirakawa-go and Gokayama – Located in the Shogawa valley region, it’s a surreal UNESCO World Heritage site that would give you glimpses of life in ancient times, with houses built in a unique architectural style, known as gassho-zukuri, which resembles hands joined in prayer.
- Ise Jingu Naiku Shinen – The reflection of the autumn leaves on the river’s surface is not only marvelous, but is ethereal as well.
- Hida-no-Sato – The mixture of its old farmhouses and changing hues of fall leaves is totally breath-snatching.
- Shuzenji – An onsen village with remarkable autumn leaves that are best enjoyed walking or relaxing along the shores of its river.
Kansai
Kansai is a fascinating region in Japan that should be on every Pinoy traveler’s bucket list. Here, you’ll get to explore a bunch of well-known cities with their fabulous sites, such as Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Ise Otsu and Kobe. And just like the rest of Japan, Kansai transforms grandly into a land full of glowing and creamy resplendent foliage in autumn.
More information:Best viewing time: Early November to early DecemberMost accessible airport: Kansai International Airport in Osaka
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Kansai:
- Kozan-ji Temple – A celebrated foliage viewing site that will blow your mind with its majestic temple, stone lanterns and carpets of red autumn leaves.
- Nara Park – A world cultural heritage site with an expansive area that offers you an opportunity to enjoy the colors of autumn and nature.
- Shoren-in Temple – The maple trees around its Japanese garden are simply splendid, especially when illuminated in the evenings during fall.
- Sogenchi Garden – It has extraordinarily red leaves that will give you an urge to snap a ton of photos.
- Koto Sanzan – Not only is it one of the best autumn foliage viewing spots in Japan, but it also houses a heap of important cultural assets and national treasures.
Chugoku
Chugoku, aside from Hiroshima, is probably well off the beaten track for a quick visit to Japan. But, if you spend more time there, you are going to find a region full of memorable experience and sights like the castle ruins in Kakuzan Park, Ohara Museum of Art, and Matsue Castle. Plus, a visit here lets you discover a side of Japan that’s totally different from the commonly sought-after destinations in Kanto and Kansia. As far as autumn foliage, you’ll also see countless fiery leaves and vegetation in Chugoku in November.
More information:Best viewing time: Early November to late NovemberMost accessible airport: Hiroshima Airport
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Chugoku:
- Mount Daisen – It has an imposing symmetrical shape, and has a vivid foliage ablaze in orange, yellow and red in autumn.
- Go-kei Gorge – Its autumn leaves and pristine stream create an amazingly stunning sight.
- Taishaku-kyo Valley – It’s one of the quasi-national parks in Japan, and has a delightful contrast of autumn foliage and rugged rocky landscapes.
- Sandan-kyo Gorge – With its resplendent waterfalls, rugged rock and autumn leaves, it is no wonder tons of Japanese come to this place during fall.
- Jakuchi-kyo Valley – It is home to the one of the country’s grandest waterfalls – the Goryuno Taki waterfall.
Shikoku
Shikoku – the smallest and oft-forgotten island of Japan’s Big Four – is usually viewed as a rural backwater with limited must-see attractions. But once you set foot on this Japanese island, all those doubts and unjust labels will be washed away. As a matter of fact, the island offers plenty of great hiking opportunities for outdoor lovers, with its inner mountainous regions. In addition, it is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
More information:Best viewing time: Mid November to early DecemberMost accessible airport: Matsuyama Airport (you need to fly to Tokyo first, to reach this airport)
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Shikoku:
- Iya-kei Gorge – The panorama of autumn foliage, covering the whole surface, from the valley’s bottom to the mountain peak, is simply stunning and irresistible.
- Kuroson-Keikoku Gorge – The reflection of the fall foliage over the surface of its clear running streams offers a surreal sightseeing experience.
- Kanka-kei Gorge – Deemed as one of Japan’s most beautiful gorges, it is a well-loved destination praised for its dazzling natural beauty.
- 88 Temple Pilgrimage – Its sacred grounds overflow with brilliant oranges, golds and crimson during this time of the year.
Kyushu
Kyushu – the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands – is a wondrous mixture of natural wonders, modern cities, and historic treasures. Although it is currently recovering from a couple of powerful earthquakes that occurred on April 14 and 16, Kyushu still has retained its unique grandeur, and is totally easy on the eyes in autumn.
More information:Best viewing time: Early November to late NovemberMost accessible airport: Fukuoka Airport
Best autumn foliage viewing spots in Kyushu:
- Seikei Koen Park – It has over 150 maple trees that look marvelously red and dramatic in autumn.
- Mifuneyama Rakuen Park – It has an idyllic pond that gives a gorgeous reflection of the autumn leaves.
- Kasuga Keikoku Gorge – Not only does it have tons of fiery maple and acer trees, but it also a clear stream and rock surface that further enhance its beauty.
- Niiyama Jinja Shrine – A shrine with a history of more than 1,200 years, this sweet spot has been luring people for hundreds of years with its extraordinarily red autumn leaves.
_Photo credit: Flickr/DSC_00053463/Marufish/CC-BY_
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