Mt. Fuji Fall Foliage: 10 Spectacular Locations

The area around Mount Fuji boasts excellent locations for enjoying the fall foliage. There are autumn leaves festivals, observatories with panoramic views from above, and even a park with fiery red Kochia bushes that look stunning in the fall!

The best time to visit Mt. Fuji for the fall foliage is mid to late November. Read on to learn the best 10 fall destinations near Mt. Fuji.

10 Fall Foliage Spots near Mount Fuji

1. Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
2. Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
3. Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda
4. Kaneyama Waterfall
5. Koyodai Observatory
6. Oshino Hakkai
7. Kochia Fields in Oishi Park
8. Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park
9. Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park
10. Fujisan Museum

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1. Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

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Starting off on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival that runs every year is a must-visit! The festival takes place on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, one of the five lakes around Mt. Fuji, from early to late November every year.

During the autumn festival held here in November, visitors can enjoy local treats and products offered at food stalls.

The event features the colorful autumn foliage of the more than 400 maple trees found around the Lake Kawaguchi area. There are several scenic spots around the venue, the most famous of which is the Momiji Tunnel.

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The Momiji Tunnel is a corridor of beautiful fiery red leaves that stretches for 150 meters at the base of Mt. Fuji! Seeing the trees create beautiful archways for visitors to walk under and the carpet of brightly colored yellows, oranges, and reds is a highlight for any trip during the fall season.

The Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, which displays beautiful kimonos created by the famous artisan Kubota Itchiku, is also located nearby.

Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival 2023

Dates: October 28 - November 23, 2023
Venue: Kawaguchi MAP
Nearest train station: Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line (*If you come from Tokyo, take the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo or Shinjuku Station then change at Otsuki Station to the Fujikyuko Line)
Access by bus: take the Kawaguchiko loop bus RedLine and get off at the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum; the festival venue can be accessed from here on foot in about 20 minutes.
Official website: https://fujisan.ne.jp/pages/433/ (Japanese)

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2. Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

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The Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway offers breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and the forest on the mountainside. From the observation deck, which sits more than 1,000 meters above sea level, you can see Lake Kawaguchi.

While most prefer to take the roundtrip on the ropeway, it is also possible to hike from the observation deck down the forested mountain slope; it takes about 30 minutes to descend on this trail.

Another trail from the observation point leads 300 meters uphill to a small shrine at the summit of Mount Tenjo. From there, the trail continues on to Mount Mitsutoge, a popular day hike with good views of Mount Fuji.

Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Official website: https://www.mtfujiropeway.jp/en/
Business hours: weekdays 9:30 - 16:00, weekends and holidays 9:30 - 17:00
Roundtrip tickets: adults 900 yen, children 450 yen

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3. Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda

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If you are looking for an iconic image of Japan, then visit Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida City. At the top of a 398-stair hike is an observation deck that looks out over the city and Mt. Fuji.

As pictured above, the image of the Chureito Pagoda standing tall with Mt. Fuji in the background is absolutely stunning. In autumn, the fall foliage adds a nice foreground element that makes any images of the area memorable.

Arakurayama Sengen Park

Location: Yamanashi Prefecture, Fujiyoshida, Asama 2-4-1 Map

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4. Kaneyama Waterfall

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With a 10-meter drop in two streams, Kaneyama Waterfall lies on the upper reaches of the Katsuragawa River near Oshino Hakkai, the famous springs of Mt. Fuji. The scenery around the waterfall changes with the seasons, with azaleas in spring and lush verdant greenery in the summer.

In autumn, the vibrant oranges and reds create a lovely contrast with the white foam from the falls. The Fujisan Museum (the former Fuji-Yoshida Museum of Local History) is located nearby and makes a wonderful stop along the way.

Kaneyama Waterfall

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru, Oshino, Shibokusa Map

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5. Koyodai Observatory

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The Koyodai Observatory Resthouse offers a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji with the Aokigahara Forest slowly changing color to the vibrant autumn leaves. Koyodai is an open hill along a hiking trail and the Observatory Resthouse is where you can stop by for a breather and take in the atmosphere of the area.

Koyodai Observatory

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Narusawa 8527 Map
Official website: https://www.narusawa-kanko.jp/koyodai.html

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6. Oshino Hakkai

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Oshino Hakkai is a scenic area built on the site of a former lake. In the past, there were six lakes around Mt. Fuji, but one of them dried up several centuries ago; eight ponds with clear waters have remained. This area has been developed into a tourist destination where visitors can see traditional homes and structures that were common in this region.

In autumn, the foliage of the trees in the precincts changes color, creating a splendid background for photos of the idyllic rural scenery of Oshino Hakkai and Mt. Fuji.

Oshino Hakkai

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru, Oshino, Shibokusa Map
Official website: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/recover/oshino-hakkai.html

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7. Oishi Park: Kochia Field with Mt. Fuji in the Background

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One of the most spectacular sights in early autumn is that of the fiery red kochia plants at Oishi Park. These shrubs turn a vivid blood red during the early fall foliage season and make for some absolutely spectacular landscapes to enjoy while staring at the majesty of Mt. Fuji.

The shrubs perfectly frame Mt. Fuji and create the ideal scenery for lakeside photos of the mountain. There are terraces and cafes within the park making it a wonderful location to unwind at the foot of Japan's iconic peak.

Oishi Park

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru, Fujikawaguchiko, Oishi 2525-11 Map

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8. Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park

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Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park is a quiet park on the shore of Lake Yamanaka. In late October to November, the park sees a lot of visitors when the autumn leaves are at their peak.

In the daytime, the vivid autumn leaves show their brilliant colors in the sunlight. The idyllic lakeside hemmed by the fiery red and orange foliage makes for a lovely area to picnic or just soak up the atmosphere of autumn. The fall foliage is lit up in the evening; the illuminations transform the surroundings into dreamlike scenery.

Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru, Yamanakako, Hirano Map
Official website: https://lake-yamanakako.com/spot/10352 (Japanese)

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9. Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park (Fujisan Eco Net)

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Surrounded by the lush Aokigahara Forest, the Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park is home to about 60 species of wild birds. The gallery within the park displays documents and photographs of animals in the area; it also has a bird-watching room equipped with telescopes.

Bird feeders are placed throughout the park allowing visitors to see the various species up close and enjoy their birdsong while taking in the sights of the autumn.

Lake Saiko, one of the five lakes around Mt. Fuji, is located nearby. How about exploring the area and enjoying the views?

Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park

Location: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru, Fujikawaguchiko, Saiko 2068 Map

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10. Fujisan Museum Area - Miyashita Cottage

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Visitors wondering why people are so fascinated by Mt. Fuji or why it became the object of religious reverence should visit the Fujisan Museum. The entrance fee is 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for students. The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 except Tuesdays when it's closed.

On the museum grounds is an original cottage that exemplifies the lifestyles that flourished around Mt Fuji. In autumn, you can see how people traditionally dry persimmons in the crisp autumn air on the museum grounds.

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Enjoy the Fall Foliage at the Foot of Mount Fuji!

Autumn is an excellent time of the year to enjoy the vistas around Mt Fuji. From intimate hideaways where you can enjoy a warm cup of tea while viewing the leaves to outdoor experiences that let you take in the majesty of fall, the area has it all!

Be sure to include Mt. Fuji in the itinerary of your next fall trip to Japan. The different charm of each season is one reason to come back on repeat visits and enjoy the beauty that each new change brings to the landscape and traditions.

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Main image by Pixta