【2025 Latest】30 Recommended Fall Foliage Spots in Japan: With Information on Peak Viewing, Illuminations, and Autumn Festivals!

*AI Translated

In autumn, Japan's mountains and city trees turn brilliant shades of red and yellow, creating a beautiful landscape. This breathtaking autumn scenery, known as koyo or momiji, is a quintessential part of the Japanese autumn. For those wondering, "When is the best time?" or "Where should I go?", we have carefully selected 30 of the most recommended fall foliage spots across the country, from famous parks, gardens, mountains, and lakes to hidden gems.

At the end of this article, you'll find a comprehensive list that includes the best viewing times, light-up events, and autumn festival information for each spot. Use it as a guide to have the ultimate momiji-gari (autumn leaf-peeping) experience this fall.

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Tips and Things to Know for Enjoying Japan's Fall Foliage

The best autumn trip starts with a plan. Let's look at some key points for making the most of your autumn adventure this year.

Best time to see autumn leaves

First, check the peak viewing times for fall foliage! The "momiji front" starts in the Daisetsuzan mountains of Hokkaido and slowly moves south across the Japanese archipelago over about three months. The best time of day for viewing is in the morning. The light is soft, making the colors of the leaves appear more vibrant and perfect for photography. Check the peak viewing times for the area you want to visit in advance to plan your trip.

Area	Best time to see
Hokkaido	Mid-September ~ Late October
northeast	Late September ~ Mid-November
Kanto	Early October ~ Early December
center	Late September ~ Early December
Kansai	Mid-October ~ Early December
China	Mid-October ~ Late November
Shikoku	Early October ~ Late November
Kyushu	Late October ~ Early December

*Note: Peak viewing times can fluctuate depending on the weather. Please check the official website of each spot for the latest information.

Important Points & Tips to Check When Planning Your Trip

When planning which fall foliage spots to visit, there are a few important points to confirm in advance.

Some spots, such as gardens and temples, hold light-up events, which allow you to enjoy a magical, different view than during the daytime. However, autumn nights can get quite cold, so we recommend taking measures to stay warm.

Additionally, some spots hold events like momiji matsuri (autumn foliage festivals). At these festivals, you can enjoy yatai (food stalls) and local gourmet food, which adds to the overall experience.

It's also a good idea to check the admission fees and business hours in advance. Many fall foliage spots, like parks, can be enjoyed for free, but some, like temples and gardens, charge an admission fee. Some places also have limited hours, so be especially careful if you're traveling a long distance.

Finally, access is another important point to check. Many famous fall foliage spots are located in the mountains or remote areas, where public transportation may be limited or only accessible by car. During the fall foliage season, roads and parking lots can get very crowded, so consider your transportation and travel time when choosing a spot to visit.

30 Recommended Fall Foliage Spots in Autumn 2025!

Here is a list of 30 carefully selected fall foliage spots from all over Japan. This table summarizes the peak viewing periods and light-up information, so please use it as a reference for your travel plans.

Spot Name	Type	Best time to see	Lit up Presence or absence	Autumn Leaves Festival Presence or absence	Location	Official website
【Hokkaido】 Daisetsuzan	mountain	Mid-September to early October	×	×	Map	URL
【Aomori】 Tsutanuma	lakeside	Mid-October to late October	×	×	Map	URL
【Yamagata】 Kakunodate (Samurai residence street)	Streets	Early November ~ Mid-November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Miyagi】 Naruko Gorge	valley	Late October to early November	×	×	Map	URL
【Tochigi】 Nikko Toshogu Shrine	temples and shrines	Early November to mid-November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Ibaraki】 Kairakuen Garden	garden	Mid-November ~ Late November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Chiba】 Honhonji Temple	temples and shrines	Late November to early December	×	×	Map	URL
【Chiba】 Yoro Valley	valley	Late November to early December	〇	〇	Map	URL
【Saitama】 Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park	park	Late November to early December	〇	×	Map	URL
【Tokyo】 Showa Memorial Park	park	Late October ~ early December	〇	〇	Map	URL
【Tokyo】 Lake Okutama	lakeside	Early November to late November	×	×	Map	URL
【Tokyo】 Rikugien Garden	garden	Mid-November to early December	〇	×	Map	URL
【Tokyo】 Meiji Jingu Gaien	Namiki	Mid-November to early December	×	〇	Map	URL
【Kanagawa】 Daisenji Temple, Oyama Afuri Shrine Shimosha	temples and shrines	Mid-November to late November	×	×	Map	URL
【Kanagawa】 Sankeien	park	Late November to mid-December	×	×	Map	URL
【Niigata】 Lake Oku-Tadami	lakeside	Mid-October ~ Early November	×	×	Map	URL
【Nagano】 Kamikochi (Near Kappa Bridge)	mountain	Mid-October to late October	×	×	Map	URL
【Ishikawa】 Kenrokuen Garden	garden	Early November to late November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Yamanashi】 Kiyosato Kogen	mountain	Late October to early November	×	×	Map	URL
【Yamanashi】 Lake Kawaguchi	lakeside	Early November ~ Mid-November	〇	〇	Map	URL
【Aichi】 Korankei	valley	Mid-November to late November	〇	〇	Map	URL
【Shiga】 Metasequoia row	Namiki	Late November to early December	×	〇	Map	URL
【Kyoto】 Eikando	temples and shrines	Mid-November to late November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Kyoto】 Rurikoin Temple	temples and shrines	Mid-November to late November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Osaka】 Katsuoji Temple	temples and shrines	Mid-November to early December	〇	×	Map	URL
【Osaka】 Osaka Castle Park	park	Mid-November ~ Early December	×	〇	Map	URL
【Wakayama】 Koyasan	mountain	Late October to early November	〇	×	Map	URL
【Hyogo】 Kokoen	garden	Mid-November to late November	〇	〇	Map	URL
【Kagawa】 Ritsurin Park	park	Late November to early December	〇	×	Map	URL
【Oita】 Yamakei	valley	Mid-November to late November	〇	〇	Map	URL

The peak viewing period for fall foliage can vary greatly depending on the year's temperature and weather. The information in this article is a general guideline based on typical years, so please be sure to check each spot's official website and the latest weather forecast before you go.