There’s no denying that Japan’s cherry blossom season is an exceptional time to visit the country but as more and more tourists flock to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto in Spring, we would like to make the case that there might be a better time to visit Japan… Autumn.
March is not the only time of year that Japan is transformed by natural beauty. From mid-October to early December, the country experiences its ‘Momiji’ or maple-viewing season when people flock to the countryside and mountains to enjoy the incredible fall foliage. These bright reds, glowing golds, and fiery oranges are known in Japanese as ‘koyo’ and the act of going to see them has become a popular autumn ritual for both locals and tourists alike.
Entire valleys are blanketed in these gorgeous sunset hues that last longer and are arguably even more beautiful than the sought-after Sakura blooms. Visiting Japan during this season is one of the best times as it also offers pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and typically lower prices when it comes to accommodation and flights. Whether you’re in the city or hiking across a remote mountain, it’s impossible to miss the ‘koyo’ but in this list, you’ll find the 11 best places to see the autumn colours in Japan.
1. Mount Takao, Tokyo
Take the Keio line just one hour west of Tokyo to arrive at Takaosan, a mountain known for casual hiking, delicious food, and thousands of Japanese maple trees that turn fiery red between mid-October and early December.
At the base of the mountain, visitors can choose to go by foot, tram, or chairlift to reach the halfway point. From there you’ll find food vendors, temples, and even a monkey park where you can watch a family of friendly macaques. There are then multiple different hiking paths to reach the peak with the shortest taking only 45 minutes from the tram station. Once at the top, you can enjoy the amazing 360° ‘Momiji’ views whilst eating hot noodles from a mountaintop udon restaurant.
2. Meiji Jingu, Tokyo
Tokyo might be Japan’s capital and one of the most populated cities in the world, but it’s also filled to the brim with quiet parks and peaceful pockets like Meiji Jingu. Nestled between Shinjuku and Harajuku, the temple is surrounded by 70 hectares of forest, creating a tranquil escape from the busy city and one of the best places to view the autumn colours in Japan without leaving the city.
The Shinto Shrine was built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and is considered one of the most important religious sites in the entire city. If you’re at the start of a bustling Asia trip like Japan in a Week and want to experience the Momiji in Tokyo then a visit to Meiji Jingu is a must.
3. Hakone Tozan Railway
Known for countless onsens (hot springs) and a stunning ropeway, Hakone cannot be overlooked during your autumnal trip to Japan – luckily it’s included on our Japan Unrivalled tour. Although you’ll find breathtaking views of the valley throughout Hakone, there is no better way to experience the reds and yellows of Japanese maples than on the Hakone Tozan Railway.
The ride from Hakone Yumoto to Gora takes 40 minutes one-way, runs every 20 minutes, and costs 460 yen. The journey runs along the tree-lined mountainside and takes you from the bottom to the top of the valley. Along the way, you’ll cross bridges, travel through tunnels, and stop at tiny wooden stations that look like watercolour paintings come to life.
Image source:Ice Tea / unsplash
4. Matsumoto, Nagano
If mountains are your thing then you have to check out the city of Matsumoto. Surrounded by the Northern Japanese Alps, Matsumoto experiences autumn from mid-October when the entire area shifts to fall colours of gold and red. The city is most famous for being the home of Matsumoto-Jo, a huge five-tiered wooden castle that was built in the 1590s. The iconic castle view is framed by Japanese maples in the autumn and pink cherry blossoms in the spring making for a perfect photo opportunity.
You can reach Matsumoto by train from Tokyo in 2.5 hours or make the stop as part of the Japan Unrivalled tour with Contiki.
5. Kurobe Gorge, Toyama
Hidden in the Japanese Alps is Kurobe Gorge, a tree-lined ravine that transforms into a river of gold maple leaves throughout autumn. Best experienced from the scenic railway that runs until late November, Kurobe Gorge is a wonderland of autumn foliage, magical hiking, and peaceful onsens that overlook the ravine. You can ride the sightseeing train all the way to Keyakidaira or get off at any of the little stops along the way to explore the small onsen towns and fall scenery.
You can board the Kurobe Gorge Railway from Unazuki Station (two hours by train from Toyama) and ride for 80 minutes into the ravine. The train has four-seater open-sided cars for the best possible views of the autumn foliage and a one-way ticket to Keyakidaira costs 1980 yen.
Image source:Jessica Saabor
6. Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine is often referred to as the 1000 Torii Gates due to the many red gates behind the Shinto temple that lead visitors along a series of trails. One of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, Fushimi Inari’s origins date back to the 8th century when it was built to honour the Shinto God of rice.
Today, the shrine is home to thousands of torii gates, each individually donated to the shrine over hundreds of years. Fushimi Inari is particularly spectacular during autumn when the red of the gates is vividly reflected by the reds and yellows of autumn foliage. To complete the full trail of torii-lined gates takes between two to three hours but you can turn back at any point on the route.
No trip to Japan is complete without a stop in Kyoto which is why it’s included on both our Japan in a Week and Japan Unrivalled tours!
7. Mount Koya, Wakayama
Mount Koya, or Koyasan, is the centre of the Shingon School of Buddhism, a sect introduced to Japan in the year 805. Now, Mount Koya boasts over 100 Buddhist temples and monasteries giving it the perfect mix of tradition, history, and nature.
You can get to the Buddhist headquarters by taking a 90-minute train from Osaka to Gokurakubashi station then ride the cable car up the mountain. Alternatively, you can spend the night as a part of our Japan Unrivalled trip! Due to its higher altitude, the Momiji season starts earlier in Koyasan than in other nearby cities like Kyoto with the fall foliage usually peaking around early November.
Image source:Diana Lisunova / unsplash
8. Okutsukei Valley, Okayama
Okutsukei Valley is a 3km long gorge in West Japan that is renowned nationwide for its Japanese maple and ginkgo trees that coat the valley in amazing autumn colours every November. The gorge is a 20-minute walk from Okutsu Onsen where you can experience public baths, the ‘spring of beauty’, and the ancient tradition of foot washing.
The valley itself is a peaceful haven of natural beauty that is considered to be one of the ultimate Momiji-viewing sites in all of Japan. The autumn colours peak from mid to late November and Okutsukei Valley also hosts a Momiji Matsuri (autumn leaves festival) every autumn with local performances and night-time illuminations to light up the trees.
9. Miyajima, Hiroshima
One hour by ferry from Hiroshima is Miyajima, officially known as Itsukushima, and it is not your average island. A crucial stop on our Japan Unrivalled tour, spending a day on Miyajima means shrines, forests, and free-roaming deer. Miyajima is best known for the iconic Great Torii Gate which seems to float in the water during high tide and was awarded one of Japan’s three best views, however, in autumn another attraction rivals the gate’s beauty: Momiji-Dori (Maple Valley).
From mid-October to mid-December this valley is awash with crimson, chestnut, and amber leaves that dazzle visitors wanting to see autumn colours in Japan. The island is a popular destination so it’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds or spend the evening in a ryokan to experience Maple Valley lit up at night.
10. Nikko, Tochigi
It’s hard to find a more impressive display of autumn colours in Japan than in Nikko. Start by walking 30 minutes from Nikko station to Shinkyo Bridge, the gateway to Nikko’s mountains and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Toshogu Shrine. The expanse of fall foliage is unmatched making it easy to spend hours exploring the history-filled sunset-coloured mountains.
You’ll find multiple temples and shrines amongst the Japanese maple and ginko trees not to mention tranquil waterfalls and scenic lakes. After a day of walking, you can relax in an onsen with views of the area, peruse one of the many craft stores, or sample the local speciality food yuba (tofu skin).
11. Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido
Travel just one hour by bus from Hokkaido’s Shin-Chitose Airport and you’ll find yourself at Lake Shikotsu. With Shikotsu-Toya National Park’s panoramic mountain views, it’s no surprise that by October the entire area becomes drenched in scarlet and gold autumn leaves.
Lake Shikotsu offers a slice of Japan that is utterly different from the buzzing city life that most tourists see. Instead of sensory overwhelm and 24/7 entertainment, Lake Shikotsu gives tranquillity, peace, and quiet. The area is relatively undeveloped with the exception of the small town of Shikotsu Kohan where you can stay in traditional ryokan and rent boats and bicycles for further exploring the lake and finding the ultimate Momiji viewpoints.
