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Mount Fuji seen beyond autumn leaves

Seasons

Autumn leaves

Autumn colour starts in the north and high in the mountains. Nikko turns in October; Tokyo and Kyoto usually from mid-November to early December.

Travel tips

  • Timing depends on each year's weather. Check the foliage reports before you go.
  • Kyoto's buses are packed in foliage season. Combining trains with walking is easier.

9 places to go

Tap a pin to jump to that place's description.

Kanto

  1. 1

    Aoyama-itchome

    Station

    The ginkgo avenue at Jingu Gaien, about 5 minutes' walk from Aoyama-itchome. Usually mid-November to early December.

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  2. 2

    Takaosanguchi

    Station

    Mt. Takao, with a cable car halfway up. Usually around mid-November; weekends are very crowded.

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  3. 3

    Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji

    Attraction

    Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, usually mid- to late October. Traffic on the Irohazaka road gets heavy.

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Chubu & Hokuriku

  1. 4

    Lake Kawaguchi (Mt. Fuji view)

    Attraction

    Kawaguchiko's Momiji Corridor pairs maples with Mt. Fuji. Usually early to mid-November.

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  2. 5

    Kenrokuen Garden

    Attraction

    Kanazawa's great garden. From November 1, ropes called yukitsuri are rigged to protect the pines from snow, alongside the autumn colours.

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Kansai

  1. 6

    Tofukuji

    Station

    Looking down on a maple-filled valley from Tofukuji's Tsutenkyo Bridge. Photography on the bridge is banned in foliage season.

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  2. 7

    Nanzen-ji

    Attraction

    Nanzenji's great gate among the maples; neighbouring Eikando is also famous for its colours. Usually mid- to late November.

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  3. 8

    Kiyomizu-dera

    Attraction

    Maples spread beneath the wooden stage. Many years there is special evening viewing in autumn.

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  4. 9

    Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge / Bamboo Grove)

    Attraction

    The hills beyond Togetsukyo Bridge turn red and gold. Mornings are least crowded.

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From people who went

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Event dates, operating days, reservation rules and opening hours can change. Please check the official information before you go.

Photo and data credits

Mount Fuji seen beyond autumn leaves Supanut Arunoprayote (CC BY 4.0) / Kegon Falls plunging down a cliff in autumn colors Jordy Meow (CC BY-SA 3.0) / Mount Fuji reflected in Lake Kawaguchi Marion & Christoph Aistleitner (CC0) / The Kotoji lantern and pond in Kenroku-en garden Daderot (CC0) / The stage of Kiyomizu-dera surrounded by autumn leaves Martin Falbisoner (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Togetsukyo Bridge with the spring hills of Arashiyama behind Tomomarusan (CC BY 2.5). Cropped and resized.