Autumn Leaf Season

All things, along with summer's light, venture toward autumn's brilliant harvest.

Autumn Leaves in Japan

Autumn in Japan is long, with trees like maples and beeches turning brilliant shades of red, harmonizing with Japan's scenic landscapes. The fall foliage can be enjoyed in natural settings or in gardens where it blends with cultural elements like temples. Leaf-viewing tourism is one of Japan’s most popular autumn activities.

Best Places for Leaf Viewing in Japan

Tokyo

Tokyo The leaf-viewing season in Tokyo lasts from late November to late December. Famous spots include Mt. Takao and Asakusa Temple. Mt. Takao, not far from the city, offers a great option for hiking and viewing the foliage, while Koishikawa Korakuen is a traditional Japanese garden where the autumn colors paint a beautiful scene of reds and yellows.

Kamakura

Kamakura offers a diverse range of leaf-viewing experiences, from temples and shrines to surrounding natural forests. The foliage ranges from golden to deep red, creating a beautiful layered effect. From mid-November to late December, Kamakura's historic temples and shrines are adorned with vibrant maple leaves, enhancing their ancient charm and creating a picturesque landscape.

Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji Starting in late October, the "Maple Corridor" by Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt. Fuji becomes a must-see autumn spot. With around 400-500 maple trees gradually turning red, the combination of vibrant leaves and the stunning lake view is like stepping into a painting. The best viewing period is from October 26 to November 20, with mid-November being the peak for red maples covering the mountainside.

Kyoto

Kyoto Popular leaf-viewing spots in Kyoto include Kiyomizu Temple and Arashiyama. Kiyomizu Temple is known for its mountain blanketed in red leaves, while Arashiyama’s foliage blends beautifully with the historic temples and flowing streams. Kyoto’s night leaf-viewing events are especially famous, such as the one at Rikugien Garden, where the illuminated leaves create a magical, mystical atmosphere.

Nara

Autumn in Nara is a vivid painting, with a beautiful contrast between the autumn leaves and the ancient architecture. In Nara Park, more than 1,000 deer roam freely among the red, orange and yellow autumn leaves, creating a beautiful scene. The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple is particularly majestic against the autumn leaves, and the autumn leaves by the Great Buddha Pond are beautiful with a beautiful contrast of red and yellow. The stone lanterns and torii gates of Kasuga Taisha Shrine surrounded by autumn leaves exude a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere. In addition, the carefully designed landscapes of Isuien and Yoshinarien are the perfect places to enjoy the autumn leaves.

Osaka

Osaka Castle Park and the surrounding areas, such as the Tenshukaku, are great for viewing autumn leaves. Visitors can enjoy both the city vibe and the vibrant autumn colors. Osaka’s Momijidani is a hidden gem, with the valley covered in colorful leaves during autumn.

Tokyo: Little Edo Kawagoe Festival

Tokyo: Little Edo Kawagoe Festival The Kawagoe Festival, one of the three great festivals of the Kanto region, originates from the autumn festival of Hikawa Shrine in Saitama Prefecture. The highlight is the grand float parade, with around 30 floats joining the procession each year. Each float stands 8-9 meters high and weighs over 5 tons, with figures of legendary heroes atop them. When the floats meet, exciting battles between them add to the spectacle!

Event Schedule:

October 19, 2024: Night Parade 18:00~19:00 / Float Procession 19:00~20:00

October 20, 2024: Float Procession 13:30~16:00

Reservation

Tokyo: Ikebukuro Halloween Party

The annual "Ikebukuro Halloween Party" is back again! With Shibuya banning Halloween activities last year, Ikebukuro has become the center of Halloween celebrations. On October 25, there will be a Halloween night event at Sunshine City, and cosplayers will gather around the Ikebukuro Station area. If you’re in Tokyo during this time, don’t miss the chance to experience a different side of Ikebukuro!

Event Schedule:

Halloween Night Party: October 25, 2024, 16:30~22:30

Halloween Cosplay Event: October 26-27, 2024, 10:00~18:00

Reservation

Jidai Matsuri

In late October, Kyoto celebrates the Jidai Matsuri, a grand festival commemorating the establishment of Heian Shrine and the 1100th anniversary of the capital’s move to Heian (modern-day Kyoto). Local people dressed as samurai carry portable shrines in a grand parade, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances. The parade ends at Heian Shrine, but the festive mood continues throughout the day.

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