Best Autumn Foliage Spots in Japan Selected by Professional Photographers
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The spectacular autumn foliage that Japan is so proud of can only be seen during a limited period in the fall. Where can you see such precious autumn foliage? In this article, we will introduce famous spots for viewing autumn leaves all over Japan.
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"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
"Capture My Japan" is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas, provided by Lovegraph Co., Ltd , one of Japan's largest on-location photography session businesses.
If you use the coupon code "MCM-16475" when applying, you can get a 5% discount and experience a professional photo shoot!
Please take a look at the following article for more information about shooting with "Capture My Japan".
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Table of Contents
- Hokkaido and Tohoku: Aomori Hirosaki Park, Naruko
- Kanto: Nikko, Hakone, Mt. Takao
- Chubu and Hokuriku: Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji), Shirakawago
- Kinki: Kyoto Arashiyama, Nara
- Chugoku and Shikoku: Miyajima, Iya Valley
- Kyushu and Okinawa: Kirishima, Kumamoto
- When is the Best Timing to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves?
- Ask Professional Photographer for a Beautiful Memory!
Hokkaido and Tohoku: Aomori Hirosaki Park, Naruko
Daisetsuzan National Park (Hokkaido)
Photo by pixta
Daisetsuzan National Park , located in central Hokkaido, is the largest national park in Japan and is said to be the earliest place in the country to see the autumn leaves at their peak, with some places seeing the leaves as early as early September.
If you take the ropeway up the mountain, you'll be mesmerized by the magnificent views as far as the eye can see and the beautiful carpet of colorful autumn leaves.
There are many spots to see autumn leaves within Daisetsuzan National Park, such as Sounkyo, Akadake, Kurodake, Asahidake, and Daisetsu Kogen Swamp. The best viewing times vary slightly depending on the location, so it's a good idea to choose a location based on when you visit.
Hirosaki Park (Aomori Prefecture)
Photo by sumi
Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, holds the Autumn Leaves Festival every year from late October to early November. The leaves of various trees, including cherry blossoms, maples, and ginkgo trees, change color, making this a popular autumn foliage spot.
There are several large trees in the park that are 200 to 500 years old, among which is a ginkgo tree that is said to be over 300 years old. With its beautiful yellow leaves, it exudes a sense of grandeur and power that has survived a long history.
Additionally, Saisho-in Temple, located near Hirosaki Park, is also a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, so we recommend visiting both.
Naruko Gorge (Miyagi Prefecture)
Photo by pixta
Naruko Gorge, located in Osaki City in the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is a tourist spot that is beautifully green from spring to summer, but the autumn leaves, which reach their peak from mid-October to mid-November, are also not to be missed.
From the observation deck of the Narukokyo Rest House, you can see the Ofukazawa Bridge and the autumn leaves that adorn the cliffs at the same time. We also recommend taking a leisurely stroll along the Ofukazawa Promenade from the Narukokyo Rest House, where you can enjoy a close-up look at the autumn leaves. The slope is gentle, making it an easy walk.
During the autumn foliage season, buses run from Naruko Onsen Station and Nakayamadaira Onsen Station, so it's easy to get there even without a car.
Kanto: Nikko, Hakone, Mt. Takao
Nikko Irohazaka (Tochigi Prefecture)
Photo by pixta
Nikko Irohazaka in Tochigi Prefecture is a tourist road that stretches for about 16km and connects Nikko city with Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko. It has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan, and is a scenic driving course with beautiful autumn leaves, making it such a popular spot that it causes major traffic jams during the autumn foliage season.
"First Irohazaka" is for downhill only, and "Second Irohazaka" is for uphill only. There are 48 curves in both roads. Please note that it is a one-way road.
Near the end of the "Second Irohazaka" there is a rest area with a parking lot, from which you can take a ropeway to the Akechidaira Observatory, where you can see Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls amid the autumn foliage.
Mount Takao (Tokyo)
Photo by Mayumi
Mount Takao is a 599m high mountain located in Hachioji, Tokyo. It is easily accessible by train from the city center in about an hour and a half, so it is a place that many people visit throughout the year. The maple leaves are beautiful in autumn, and the mountain is crowded with many climbers who want to see them at least once during the autumn foliage season.
There are eight climbing routes from beginner to advanced levels, and it is famous as an introductory mountain for mountain climbing, so many different people enjoy climbing and hiking there. You can take a cable car up to Takaosan Station, which is 472 meters above sea level, and there are maple trees growing along the cable car line, so even those who are not confident in their physical strength can enjoy the autumn leaves.
Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Photo by Kouki
Hakone, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a hot spring resort with good access from Shinjuku in Tokyo by train, and is also a spot where you can get a good view of Mount Fuji, a landmark of Japan. The Hakone area has many spots to see autumn leaves, which makes it a popular destination for tourists.
Popular spots for viewing autumn leaves include the Hakone Museum of Art, Lake Ashi, the Hakone Tozan Railway, and the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, so taking a trip around the autumn foliage spots in Hakone would also be an interesting experience.
Chubu and Hokuriku: Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji), Shirakawago
Fuji Five Lakes (Yamanashi Prefecture)
Photo by yokke
The five lakes located at the foot of Mt. Fuji - Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, Lake Motosu, and Lake Yamanaka - are collectively known as the "Fuji Five Lakes." This area is popular as a scenic spot where you can see the lakes and Mt. Fuji at the same time, but it is also popular as a spot to view autumn leaves.
Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka are particularly popular, with a 1km long autumn foliage corridor around Lake Kawaguchi, and around 300 maple trees at Lake Yamanaka that turn color and are lit up at night during the Autumn Foliage Festival, creating a beautiful sight.
Hida and Takayama (Gifu Prefecture)
Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture is a place where many traditional Japanese buildings remain and where abundant nature spreads around, attracting many tourists from both within Japan and overseas. This popular tourist destination also has many spots where you can see beautiful autumn leaves.
You can see a variety of spectacular autumn foliage views that are typical of Takayama, a region filled with rich nature, such as Shinhotaka, where you can see the majestic Northern Alps and autumn leaves at the same time, Mt. Norikura, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan and where you can look down on the spectacular autumn foliage, and the Hida Mino Seseragi Kaido, surrounded by golden larch trees.
Shirakawa-go (Gifu Prefecture)
Shirakawa-go, another famous tourist spot in Gifu Prefecture, just like Takayama City, which was introduced earlier, is registered as a World Heritage Site and is dotted with houses that feature steeply sloping roofs called "Gassho-zukuri," and many people visit from all over the world to see this unique architectural style.
If you visit Shirakawa-go in the fall, you will be treated to a spectacular view of the mountains surrounding the village and the trees scattered throughout the village dyed red and yellow. From the observation deck overlooking the entire village, Shirakawa-go dyed in the colors of autumn spreads out before you.
Kinki: Kyoto Arashiyama, Nara
Arashiyama (Nara Prefecture)
Photo by Masa Yamasaki
Arashiyama is a popular tourist destination in Kyoto, and is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves. The sight of Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the river with the red and yellow Arashiyama in the background is one of Kyoto's most representative autumn scenes.
You can have fun all day in Arashiyama just looking at the autumn leaves, with sights like the autumn leaves seen from the trolley train, Tenryu-ji Temple with its beautiful Japanese garden and vibrant autumn leaves, and Kami-Jakko-ji Temple with its photogenic combination of stone pavement and autumn leaves.
Mount Hiei (Shiga Prefecture)
Photo by pixta
Mount Hiei is a mountain with an altitude of 848m located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, and has been the subject of mountain worship since ancient times. Within the mountains of Mount Hiei, there is a temple called "Enryaku-ji", which is quite important in Japanese Buddhism.
Mount Hiei and Enryakuji Temple are cherished as sacred places, but they are also popular spots for viewing autumn leaves.
Boasting a vast area of 1,700 hectares, Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei is said to have more than 3,000 maple trees, and the combination of these trees with the old buildings is beautiful and sure to impress. As the area is quite large, it's a good idea to decide where to visit in advance.
Nara Park (Nara Prefecture)
Photo by taku
Nara Park, famous for its friendly wild deer, covers a vast area of approximately 660 hectares and is dotted with several World Heritage Sites and national treasures.
Nara Park is also famous for its autumn leaves, and the sight of the fallen leaves on the ground and the deer leisurely walking on them is a typical sight in Nara in the fall. There are also many spots in and around the park to see the autumn leaves, so many tourists visit during the autumn foliage season.
Chugoku and Shikoku: Miyajima, Iya Valley
Miyajima/Itsukushima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Photo by Kaori Iwamoto
Officially called Itsukushima, and commonly known as Miyajima, the island itself has been worshipped as a god since ancient times. The famous Itsukushima Shrine, built over 1,400 years ago, is said to have been built in the sea so as not to damage the island's land.
Miyajima is famous for its maple leaf-shaped buns called "Momiji Manju," and is also famous for its many maple trees. The island is filled with beautiful autumn scenery, including Momijidani Park, which has about 700 maple trees, and Daishoin Temple, a power spot where the grounds are colored with autumn leaves, so be sure to visit.
Iya Valley (Tokushima Prefecture)
Photo by Yuriko Hasegawa
Iya in Tokushima Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three most remote areas. An emerald green river flows through the Iya Valley , and in the fall the leaves turn beautiful colors. It is a place where you can enjoy untouched nature to the fullest.
The cliffs are 80m to several hundredm high, and the statue of the little boy standing there has become a hot topic on social media in Japan and is very popular. Of course, the view of the autumn leaves from here is also spectacular. You will definitely be impressed by the autumn scenery spreading out below you.
Kyushu and Okinawa: Kirishima, Kumamoto
Kirishima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Photo by Sayoko Katano
The Kirishima area, which has many famous sites such as Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Kirishima Mountains, Japan's first national park and a leading climbing spot, is also famous as a place to see autumn leaves.
These are must-see tourist spots in Kagoshima in the fall, including Kirishima Shrine, where the autumn foliage continues from the approach to the shrine grounds, Onami Pond, which has a beautiful contrast between the blue pond and the red and yellow autumn leaves, and Miyanoura Shrine, which is home to a golden ginkgo tree that is over 1,000 years old.
For those who want to enjoy hiking, we recommend "Ebino Plateau." The course around the three ponds is an easy hiking course that can be completed in about two hours, and you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the autumn leaves while walking.
Kuju Mountains (Oita Prefecture)
The Kuju mountain range , located in Oita Prefecture, is a chain of mountains reaching heights of 1,700 meters, including Mt. Nakadake, the highest peak on the Kyushu mainland, and is also known as the "Roof of Kyushu."
The leaves start to change color from the summit around mid-October, and as November approaches, they turn a vibrant red and yellow, creating a beautiful autumn landscape.
In addition, the marshland called " Bogatsuru " in the center of Kokonoe is covered with silver grass, creating a magnificent view that looks like a carpet of golden grass. There is also a campsite nearby, so it is a recommended spot for those who love beautiful views and the outdoors.
Around Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Photo by Mai Komamizu
Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake that struck Kumamoto in April 2016, and restoration work is still ongoing. Some buildings, including the castle tower, have already been restored, so why not visit Kumamoto to see them for yourself?
Kumamoto Castle is also known as the "Ginkgo Castle" and is popular as a spot to view autumn leaves, with a large, splendid ginkgo tree in front of the castle tower. During the autumn leaves season, illumination events and festivals are held.
When is the Best Timing to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves?
Photo by Ryotaro Takeshima
The Japanese archipelago stretches from north to south, and the autumn foliage season varies depending on the location. The season for autumn foliage is short, and even a slight delay in the timing can leave you disappointed with the scenery you were hoping for. It is important to check the autumn foliage season in advance before visiting.
In Japan, the leaves start to change color in the north and gradually move south. The higher the altitude, the earlier the leaves change color.
The first place to see autumn leaves is Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture in Japan. Mount Daisetsu, which was introduced in this article, is the earliest place in Japan where the leaves can be seen, from early to late September.
They gradually move south, and in places like Aomori Prefecture, they reach their peak from early October. Even in central Japan, high-altitude places like the mountains of Nagano Prefecture reach their peak at this time of year. On the other hand, in western Japan, such as Kyoto, they often reach their peak in November.
You can see autumn leaves somewhere in Japan between early September and early December, so it's a good idea to choose a place to visit during the autumn foliage season.
Please come and enjoy the magnificent autumn foliage that Japan is so proud of.
Ask Professional Photographer for a Beautiful Memory!
Would you like to experience being photographed by a professional photographer in a beautiful location with autumn leaves?
With " Capture My Japan ," you can experience having your photo taken by a professional photographer at your favorite location throughout Japan. Photographers who can speak English, Chinese, and other languages will communicate closely with you while you take your photos, so even those who are not confident in their Japanese will have no problem.
With Capture My Japan, you can rest assured that even if it is difficult to apply for permission to shoot at a location in Japanese, a photographer will handle it on your behalf.
Currently, if you enter the coupon code " MCM-16475 " when applying, you can get a 5% discount on your photography experience. If you are considering using Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!
"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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