Autumn Travel Guide: 15 Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan 2022

Have you heard? Japan is finally reopening their borders to international travellers from 11 October 2022! If you're already one of the few lucky ducks travelling soon between October and December, you're in for a treat! An autumn foliage adventure is something you can look forward to - here are some of our favourite sightseeing spots for you to bookmark, inclusive of locations in Japan's popular destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hokkaido 🤩

Autumn in Japan is as popular as spring, where many flock to catch a glimpse of magical red, orange and gold leaves fall between end September to early December (most regions peak in November).

Cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo and Hokkaido are transformed and drenched in gorgeous autumn hues; plus it’s perfect sweater weather (hovering around ~20°C)! You can find the full Japan autumn foliage forecast 2022 here.

Rikugien Garden is a famous landscape garden in Tokyo that's well-known and loved especially during the autumn months, thanks to its numerous maple trees.

We recommend taking an entire afternoon off to stroll the many trails around the park before enjoying some tea at one of the many teahouses. The views are particularly beautiful around the stream that runs by the Tsutsuji no Chaya teahouse, around the Togetsukyo Bride and from the Fujishirotoge viewpoint.

Colours usually peak around late November to early December.

Address: 6 Chome-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan

For an unforgettable autumn colours viewing experience, all aboard the Watarase Keikoku Railway for a romantic train ride through vibrant fall colours - its almost as if you're in a scene right out of a romantic movie!

The Watarase Keikoku Railway runs between Kiryu in Gunma and Nikko in Tochigi, and provides breathtaking views over the 80-minute ride. One highlight along the railway route that you cannot miss is the Takatsudokyo Gorge, which offers a different vantage point of the valley and surrounds of the amber rainforest.

Check out this Autumn Maple Leaves Sightseeing Day Tour from Tokyo that will take you to see dazzling fall colours by the scenic Watarase Valley Railway, Takatsudokyo Gorge and a stop by Ashikaga Flower Park!

Address: 1375 Omama, Omama, Midori (Omama Station), connects to the JR Ryomo line at Kiryu Station

Meiji-jingu Gaien is one of the most famous spots to see autumn leaves in Tokyo, particularly at Icho Namiki (Icho Namiki means “a row of ginkgo trees”). Take your time to stroll through the gold-lined streets and take gorgeous photos - it's a perfect photo op at every corner!

The best time to admire the leaves is from late November to early December.

Address: 1 Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden may be an iconic must-do during hanami (cherry blossom) season, but did you know that it's a great place for autumn foliage viewing too?

There are three distinct gardens here in the park; the Japanese Garden is known for its deep red maple leaves, while the British Garden is where you will find yellow ginkgo gold foliage. You can also spot roses blooming at the French Garden too! Take your pick (but we definitely think that you should visit them all). Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden between mid October and mid December to make the most out of the unique sceneries.

Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan

Osaka is lesser known for its natural landscape so you’ll be glad to find Minoo Park free from the usual throngs of crowd. 

Minoo Park is definitely a great place to visit during autumn. Besides the lovely fall colours, and main park attraction, Minoo Falls (waterfall), you can also treat yourself to freshly-fried momiji tempura - maple leaves deep fried in batter.

Address: 1-18 Minookoen, Minoo, Osaka 562-0002, Japan

Plunge deep into an oasis of autumn reds and golds when you visit Osaka Castle. This heritage site has long been a popular picnic spot and especially so during the fall season. And who wouldn't want to capture that IG-worthy shot of the grand castle draped in fall hues?

Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan

Now that you have seen the best of Japan from the ground, how about switching things up a notch and taking in an aerial view instead? dyed maple leaves? Hop on the Gozaisho Ropeway and enjoy a relaxing, scenic ride - complete with sweeping panoramic views of gold, auburn and emerald sprawled across Mount Gozaisho.

Fall colours on Mount Gozaisho begin at the summit in mid-October, and gradually travel down the mountain sides to Yunoyama Onsen Hot Springs at the base in the span of a month. You can find more information about the various autumn peak foliage durations here.

Address: 8625 Komono, Komono-Cho, Mie-gun, Mie

Hop aboard the Sagano Romantic Train, that will take you on a leisurely 25-minute ride around the Arashiyama district. As you glide past landscapes flamed in a blanket of fiery red, you’ll understand why it’s reputed as one of the most well-loved trails, especially for all the hopeless romantics.

For a comprehensive tour, check out the Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera & Fushimi Inari-taisha Day Tour, which includes a buffet lunch or beef shabu lunch depending on your choosing.

Nearest Station: Arashiyama Station (via the JR Pass)

When it comes to autumn foliage views in Kyoto, Tofukuji Temple is a hot favourite among the locals and tourists alike. Tofukuji is a large Zen temple with the prime vantage point being the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. Capture the temple dressed in peak autumn colours in November!

Address: 15 Chome-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan

Tenryuji Temple is another unbeatable spot when it comes to catching the autumn hues. Waste no time and head straight inside at the Hyakkaen Garden for another stunning foliage spot.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to famous paintings like “The Cloud Dragon” right on the ceiling of the Hatto Hall. For a small fee, you can pair a romantic gallery viewing of Japan’s renowned painting while admiring the garden beyond in shades of red.

Address: 68 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385 Kyoto Prefecture

Animal lovers definitely can't skip pass Nara on their Japan holiday. Nara Park is home to hundreds of friendly deer who will bow for their biscuits. Come autumn, it is also a great spot for fall foliage. The best place for a photo? The spacious grounds of Todai-ji Temple and across the Daibutsu-Ike Pond are highly recommended.

The mystical, magical Blue Pond truly is a stunning sight to behold, even more so in autumn. A pond so cobalt-blue that in the absence of wind, a moment of stillness would turn the crystal surface into a mirror reflection. Come in October for the best viewing experience!

Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan

Any seasoned hikers in Japan would know that Daisetsuzan National Park has nothing shy of the most spectacular fall scenes. Part of Daisetsuzan National Park, the Sounkyo area comprises a range of gorges surrounded by 100 metre-high cliffs. Chase waterfalls splashed in rich and crisp autumn colours - trust us, this is a hike you will never forget.

The largest hot spring town in Hokkaido with about 20 ryokan inns, Jozankei Onsen in Shikotsu-Toya National Park is one of Hokkaido's major tourist attractions. And it's not hard to see why! Located just an hour of Sapporo, visitors can look forward to a relaxing and revitalising onsen soaks paired with stunning foliage all around.

Don't miss a pit-stop at the Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge, an iconic cherry red bridge which is part of a hiking trail about 10-minutes away from Jozankei hot spring resort. Enjoy the view which overlooks the bubbling Toyohira River flanked by hills of yellow and gold.

Address: Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo

Another hot spring town part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Noboribetsu Onsen is also one of Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resorts. Why, you ask? For starters, it has multiple types of hot spring water - boosted by a variety of different minerals like sulphur, calcium, and sodium.

Locals believe that natural hot spring water are healing for a variety of ailments - not only just for your aches and pains! After all, what could be better than a healing dip and stunning scenery?

Address: Noboribetsuonsencho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 059-0551, Japan