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Japan’s Autumn Travel Guide | 7 Must-See Scenic Spots

 
Japan's Autumn Travel Guide | 7 Must-See Scenic Spots

Autumn in Japan is a special season where crisp air, cool climate, and vibrant natural colors come together. The autumn foliage front that traverses the entire country from September to December shows different landscapes in each region, providing travelers with long-lasting enjoyment. Let’s enjoy the spectacular fall foliage that can only be experienced in each unique location, from Kyoto’s temples and shrines, Tokyo’s tree-lined streets, Mount Fuji, and the Japan Alps.

Autumn is also called “the season of hearty appetites,” and seasonal delicacies such as chestnuts, persimmons, new rice, and matsutake mushrooms grace dining tables. Japan’s autumn, where you can enjoy the charms of nature, culture, and cuisine all at once, is truly the ideal season for sightseeing and strolling. This article introduces tourist attractions you’ll want to visit during Japan’s autumn season.

Contents

1.　Why Japan’s Autumn is Said to Be Special

Japan’s autumn is a special season where crisp air, comfortable climate, and vibrant natural changes come together. From mid-September to early December, the autumn foliage front moves from north to south, allowing people to enjoy red and yellow landscapes throughout the country. The sight of mountains dyed deep crimson and temples, shrines, and gardens painted in color connects with Japanese culture and leaves a strong impression on visitors.

Autumn is also attractive because it offers abundant seasonal ingredients such as chestnuts, persimmons, new rice, and matsutake mushrooms, allowing you to taste nature’s bounty. Since it’s a pleasant season after summer’s muggy heat has subsided and before winter’s harshness arrives, it’s ideal for sightseeing and strolling.

2.　The Best Time to Visit Japan in Autumn

Japan’s fall foliage begins in Hokkaido in mid-September and moves south to Kyushu by early December. Because the autumn foliage front moves slowly, you can enjoy vibrant scenery for an extended period by choosing your region, which is one of its characteristics.

Unlike cherry blossom viewing, fall foliage maintains its vibrant colors for 2-4 weeks, making it easier to have flexibility in travel planning, which is another attraction. Late October to late November, when you can enjoy fall foliage throughout Japan along with cool and comfortable weather, can be said to be the best season for visiting Japan.

3.　Japan’s 2025 Fall Foliage Forecast

Autumn 2025 is expected to have temperatures higher than average nationwide, and peak fall foliage is predicted to be somewhat later than usual in many regions.

In Hokkaido and Tohoku and other northern Japan areas, fall foliage will progress from early October to mid-November, but in flatlands, it may be delayed from late October to late November. In Kanto and Chubu regions, mountain areas are expected to reach their peak from late October, while urban areas will reach their peak from late November to early December. In western Japan, fall foliage and yellow leaves can be enjoyed from early November to mid-December.

Since it will be generally later than usual, late November to early December is expected to see fall foliage overlapping at many tourist destinations nationwide, creating favorable conditions for trips to Japan.

4.　7 Spectacular Fall Foliage Spots in Japan

Japan has famous fall foliage spots throughout the country. The charm lies in being able to enjoy different landscapes by region, from ancient capital temples, shrines and gardens to urban parks and tree-lined streets, magnificent mountain regions and lakeshores. Here we introduce particularly popular fall foliage spots from seven representative areas.

4-1.　Kyoto

Kyoto is the most popular city for fall foliage tourism in Japan. First, Eikando Temple is unmissable, with its grounds dyed bright red and nighttime illumination being spectacular. The Tenryu-ji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge areas in the Arashiyama district are also popular for their autumn-colored scenery.

The scenery where the architectural beauty of temples and shrines harmonizes with fall foliage is a unique charm of Kyoto.

4-2.　Tokyo

Even in the big city of Tokyo, there are many famous fall foliage spots. The most representative is the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien, where the golden tree-lined street is perfect for both strolling and photography. At Mount Takao, you can enjoy hiking while viewing fall foliage from the summit, allowing you to enjoy autumn in both nature and the city center.

Fall foliage that blends urban and natural elements is Tokyo’s unique way of enjoying the season.

4-3.　Tochigi・Nikko

Nikko boasts high popularity as a fall foliage destination both domestically and internationally. The most representative is Lake Chuzenji, where mountains surrounding the lakeside are dyed red and yellow, and the scenery reflected on the water surface creates spectacular views. Kegon Falls also offers beautiful scenery with the contrast between fall foliage and the waterfall, providing impressive dynamic views. Furthermore, Nikko Iroha Slope is famous as a scenic fall foliage driving course, and the experience of traveling through colorful mountain roads by car or bus is special.

The charm of Nikko lies in enjoying fall foliage where nature and historical heritage harmonize.

4-4.　Mount Fuji

Around Mount Fuji, the collaboration of the magnificent mountain and fall foliage is the main attraction. From Lake Kawaguchi, you can enjoy the collaboration of Mount Fuji and fall foliage reflected on the lake surface. Also, Chureito Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park) is popular as a spectacular spot where you can view the five-story pagoda, Mount Fuji, and fall foliage all at once.

Fall foliage with World Heritage Mount Fuji as a backdrop is a magnificent scenery unique to Japan.

4-5.　Hokuriku and the Japan Alps

The Hokuriku and Japan Alps regions are treasure troves of mountain fall foliage. Along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, you can enjoy gradients of fall foliage due to elevation differences, and the area around Kurobe Dam also turns vivid colors. Kenroku-en in Ishikawa Prefecture is one of Japan’s three famous gardens, where the harmony of the garden and fall foliage is beautiful, allowing you to enjoy scenery steeped in history.

The charm of this region lies in being able to enjoy both magnificent nature and garden culture.

4-6.　Hokkaido

Hokkaido heralds the beginning of the fall foliage season. Daisetsuzan National Park is known as Japan’s earliest fall foliage spot, and hiking at Mount Asahidake and Mount Kurodake shows spectacular scenery. At Jozankei Onsen near Sapporo, you can enjoy both the fall foliage coloring the valley and hot springs, making it popular with tourists.

The charm of Hokkaido’s fall foliage lies in its magnificent nature and early seasonal feel.

4-7.　Tohoku

The Tohoku region is an area where magnificent nature and fall foliage merge. Oirase Stream (Aomori Prefecture) receives high praise both domestically and internationally for the beauty of fall foliage spreading along the stream and clear flowing water. Naruko Gorge (Miyagi Prefecture) boasts overwhelming scale with fall foliage filling the gorge. Furthermore, Yamadera (Yamagata Prefecture) offers impressive fall foliage views while climbing stone steps.

A major characteristic of Tohoku’s fall foliage is being able to experience both scale and natural beauty.

5.　Japan’s Best Autumn Festivals

Japan’s autumn is a season of festivals as well as fall foliage.

Among them, Nagasaki Kunchi in Nagasaki Prefecture is a must-see. Held for three days from October 7th each year as the autumn grand festival of Suwa Shrine, it features exotic dedication dances such as dragon dancing and “Kokko Desho.” It is said to have started in 1634 (Kanei 11) and is now designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

In the Chubu region, the Takayama Festival (autumn Hachiman Festival) in Gifu Prefecture is famous, where gorgeously decorated floats carrying elaborate dolls parade through the town, captivating many tourists. Furthermore, in Tokyo, the Tori-no-Ichi held at temples and shrines nationwide in November is a highlight. Merchants and worshippers seeking to buy kumade (bamboo rakes) create great bustling at places like Otori Shrine in Asakusa.

By touring autumn festivals with regional characteristics, you can experience the diversity of Japanese culture and the richness of the seasons.

6.　Seasonal Foods You Must Eat During Japan’s Autumn

Japan’s autumn is called “the season of hearty appetites” because seasonal delicacies are abundantly available.

Hot pot dishes are popular as the weather gets colder, and the sight of families and friends gathered around a pot enjoying seasonal vegetables and meat while eating shabu-shabu or sukiyaki symbolizes Japan’s autumn. Among fruits, sweet ripe persimmons are representative, and harvest experiences are possible in producing areas like Nara. Chestnut rice using chestnuts is also a unique autumn home-cooked dish, where the fluffy sweetness of new rice and chestnuts harmonize exquisitely. Furthermore, sweet potatoes are beloved in various ways of eating, such as roasted sweet potatoes and candied sweet potatoes.

Being able to enjoy seasonal delicacies combined with fall foliage viewing is a major charm of Japan’s autumn.

Conclusion

Japan’s autumn overflows with diverse charms including fall foliage, festivals, and seasonal delicacies. The autumn foliage front continuing from Hokkaido to Kyushu provides vibrant colorful scenery over an extended period, giving deep emotion to visitors. Fall foliage at ancient capital temples, shrines and gardens evokes history and culture, while scenery at mountains and lakeshores allows you to experience nature’s magnificence. Seasonal delicacies such as chestnuts, persimmons, new rice, and hot pot dishes bring the joy of savoring the season with all five senses.

By combining and touring fall foliage viewing with food culture and festivals, you can taste Japan’s autumn richness more deeply. When planning travel and sightseeing, it would be good to devise your visiting regions and timing to fully enjoy this special season.

*This article is based on information available as of September 2025.

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