Japan Autumn Foliage Travel Guide | 2026 Peak Season and Recommended Spots

• Hokkaido area: Early September to early November
• Tohoku area: Late September to late November
• Kanto area: Early October to mid-December
• Koshinetsu and Hokuriku areas: Late September to early December
• Chubu and Tokai areas: Early November to early December
• Kinki area: Early October to early December
• Chugoku and Shikoku areas: Late October to late December
• Kyushu area: Late October to early December

・Kiyomizu-dera

The charm of Kiyomizu-dera’s autumn foliage lies in being able to enjoy the maple trees enveloping the main hall together with views overlooking the city of Kyoto. The temple grounds feature over 1,000 maple trees, which typically turn red from late November to early December. During the illumination period, you can also enjoy a magical evening atmosphere.

・Arashiyama

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s premier spots, where the entire mountain turns red and yellow, allowing you to enjoy autumn foliage alongside views of the Togetsukyo Bridge and the riverside scenery. Peak season typically falls from late November to early December, when maple trees vividly color the autumn landscape. Another appeal is being able to enjoy the views while walking along the river or gazing at the mountains.

・Daitoku-ji

Daitoku-ji is a temple complex where you can enjoy autumn foliage with different atmospheres at each sub-temple. Among them, Kotoin offers a particularly stunning view, with maple trees lining the approach to the gate creating a tunnel-like canopy of autumn colors. Peak season typically runs from late November to early December, and after the peak, fallen maple leaves spread across the ground like a red carpet—another charming feature.

*As of May 2026, Kotoin is closed to visitors with no scheduled reopening date.

・Tenryu-ji

Tenryu-ji is a renowned spot in Arashiyama where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak in late November. At the Sogenchi Garden, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, maple trees and enkianthus shrubs turn vivid colors, offering beautiful views with Arashiyama as borrowed scenery. Another appeal is being able to view the foliage in the crisp air of early morning as the sun rises. The tunnel of autumn leaves behind the garden is also a highlight.

・Rurikoin

Rurikoin is a popular Kyoto temple known for its breathtaking reflections of maple leaves on polished tables and floors. The special autumn viewing period is scheduled from October 1 to December 13, 2026, and as the foliage deepens, visitors can enjoy magical scenery. Especially at peak season, the red and gold leaves viewed from indoors stand out beautifully against the quiet interior.

・Showa Kinen Park

Showa Kinen Park is a notable Tokyo destination where you can enjoy autumn foliage typically from late October to early December. At the Canal and the Katarai Ginkgo Avenue, a tunnel of gold unfolds, while in the Japanese Garden and Flower Tree Garden, you can enjoy the red hues of maple trees. The park is also well-suited for autumn strolls and photography, allowing you to leisurely savor the season within its spacious grounds.

・Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is a popular Tokyo spot where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from late November to mid-December. The colors progress from zelkova trees to ginkgo and then to Japanese maple, allowing visitors to enjoy autumn scenery for over a month. Another appeal is being able to take leisurely strolls surrounded by vivid trees while in the heart of the city.

・Meiji Jingu Gaien

Meiji Jingu Gaien is one of Tokyo’s premier autumn foliage spots, featuring a roughly 300-meter ginkgo avenue that turns golden. Peak season typically falls from late November to early December, and along the avenue stretching from the Aoyama-dori entrance toward Gaien Central Plaza, you can enjoy the urban scenery alongside autumn views. It’s also a great spot for walking while taking photos.

・Rikugien

Rikugien is one of Tokyo’s leading destinations where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from late November to mid-December. About 560 trees—including maples, ginkgoes, and enkianthus—turn color throughout the garden, blending beautifully with the ponds and landscape to create an elegant autumn scene. It’s well-suited for those who wish to enjoy autumn foliage in a calm, refined atmosphere.

・Mount Takao

Mount Takao is a renowned spot near Tokyo where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from mid-November to early December. Along the cable car route, around Yakuoin Temple, and at the summit, the red of maples, the yellow of beech and Japanese beech trees, and the green of evergreens overlap, coloring the entire mountain like a patchwork. Visitors can enjoy the nature-rich autumn scenery while hiking or strolling.

・Okutama

Okutama is a nature-rich destination in Tokyo where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from early to late November. At Lake Okutama, maples, ginkgoes, oaks, and other trees coloring the surrounding mountains reflect on the lake’s surface, offering majestic autumn views. The autumn foliage viewed from the Okutama Scenic Drive and lakeside promenades is also captivating, and the area is well-suited for hiking.

・Hakone

Hakone is a popular area in Kanagawa where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from late October to mid-November. From Lake Ashi, the Hakone Tozan Railway, and the Hakone Ropeway, you can enjoy the mountain foliage together with views of Mount Fuji, the lake, and volcanic landscapes. It’s the perfect destination for an autumn trip combined with hot springs, and another draw is its easy access from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

・Minoo Park

Minoo Park is one of Osaka’s premier destinations where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from mid-November to early December. While walking along the Takimichi promenade beside the mountain stream, you can enjoy the vivid colors of Japanese maples and mountain maples. Around Minoo Falls, you can experience a dramatic autumn scene where flowing water meets the colorful foliage.

・Nikko Toshogu

Nikko Toshogu is one of Tochigi’s signature destinations where autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from early to mid-November. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” blends seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and forests, as maples and other trees adorn the historic structures with autumn colors. Visitors can leisurely enjoy autumn strolls amid the solemn atmosphere.