Foliage in Japan: Where to Admire the Spectacular Autumn Colors

In Japan , foliage is as serious a thing as the cherry blossoms. Here, autumn doesn't arrive suddenly: it moves slowly across the archipelago, accompanied by the kōyō zensen , the "autumnal color front." It all begins in the crisp air of Hokkaido, in late September, when the first maples turn red; then, week after week, the color moves southward, until it even paints Kyushu gold in December.

Late November is the perfect time to see foliage in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but just check the Japan Meteorological Agency website for the latest forecasts. In Tokyo, for example, you can expect spectacular bursts of yellow around November 26th , followed by the fiery reds of the iroha maples around the 30th. Kyoto will hold out a bit longer, with golden hues at the end of the month and intense reds peaking in mid-December. Further north, Sapporo, as always, will kick off the season, with red and yellow leaves starting to change color as early as November 6th.

Where to go to admire the best foliage in Japan ? Here are our favorite destinations!

In the heart of Tokyo , Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a peaceful oasis that, in autumn, transforms into a living canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. Founded in 1629 by feudal lord Tokugawa Yorifusa, it combines Japanese elegance and Chinese inspirations in a harmonious landscape shaped around the Oizumi-no-Mizu pond. Here, maples, zelkovas, and hackberries color paths and historic bridges, including the iconic Engetsukyo, whose arch reflected in the water creates a perfect full moon. Between late November and early December , the foliage reaches its peak, offering visitors a timeless and evocative autumn experience.

Hibiya Park is another green oasis in Tokyo that lights up with extraordinary colors in autumn. Founded in 1903 as Japan's first Western-style urban park, it extends over 160,000 square meters of lawns, fountains, and ponds. From mid-November to early December , ginkgo and maples transform the landscape into a mosaic of reds, oranges, and golds, creating a striking contrast with the modern skyscrapers surrounding it. By visiting during less crowded hours, you can fully enjoy the quiet and magic of autumn in the heart of the city.

We now travel to the Chūbu region where, nestled in the Shogawa River valley , we find the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go . It is famous for its thatched-roof houses, the gasshō-zukuri , which seem to have been lifted from another era. The three historic villages that make up the area, spanning approximately 68 hectares, offer a unique glimpse of rural Japan of the past, particularly evocative when the surrounding hills are tinged with the warm colors of autumn.

This happens especially starting in early November . Want a complete and authentic experience? Don't rush off after admiring the foliage, but stay in a local ryokan and savor the slow pace of village life.

From late November to mid-December , in the picturesque hills west of Kyoto , Arashiyama offers one of Japan's most evocative autumn spectacles. Famous for its bamboo forest and the elegant Togetsukyo Bridge, the area becomes even more enchanting when the mountains and forests along the Katsura River are tinged with red and gold. Also not to be missed are the Zen gardens of Tenryuji Temple and the tranquil Kameyama-kōen Park , perfect for nature walks. Arashiyama combines the charm of Japanese tradition with the magic of foliage, offering a truly unforgettable autumn experience in Kyoto.

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