AUTUMN RED TRAVEL BUCKET LIST: JAPAN
While most Westerners think of cherry blossom time in Japan as its most beautiful, most photographable, most Instagram-worthy season, with its achingly beautiful hope-filled pinks, its soft rain of petals, and its heavenly scented air, Japanese leaf peeping passions are all aflush in autumn. In Japan it is called “koyo” (autumn colors) season.
And, while Japan’s trees graces us with glorious golden, orange, yellow, and red leaves in their koyo state, it is the ravishing reds that rouse passions the most.
Momijigari (紅葉狩り) is the Japanese tradition of viewing the most scenic spots where leaves have turned red. The word comes from the Japanese words “momiji” (紅葉), meaning "red leaves" and “kari” (狩り), meaning "hunting." People have been making momijigari pilgrimages each year since the tradition began in the Heian era, in the 1st century (794-1185).
It is Japan’s magnificent maple trees that offer the brilliant intense reds that set hearts on fire. People head to the mountains, public parks, and temple and shrine grounds to see them.
Track the color changes on the map, starting when the first trees begin to redden high in the mountains, in mid-September, in the Hokkaidō region, to the north. In Hokkaidō, there is a special word for red leaf peeping: “kanpūkai” (観楓会).
The reds roll out, spreading down from the mountain tops, through the slopeside forests, and southward along the countrysides, through September, October, November, and early December, coloring Japan’s regions of Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and finally the southernmost Kyushu, in order of succession. See how it generally progresses below, so you can plan your red-inspired itinerary. Kyuhoshi offers a comprehensive set of red-leaf itineraries to consider.
| Region and Place | Estimated Viewing Time |
|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Late September to Late October |
| Tohoku | Early October to Early November |
| Kanto | Late October to Early December |
| Chubu | Late October to Early December |
| Kansai | Early November to Early December |
| Chugoku | Early November to Late November |
| Shikoku | Mid November to Early December |
| Kyushu | Early November to Late November |
| Daisetsuzan National Park | Early September to Early October |
| Aomori | Early October to Late October |
| Lake Towada | Early October to Late October |
| Iwate | Early October to Late October |
| Miyagi | Mid October to Early November |
| Alpine Route | Mid October to Mid November |
| Takayama | Mid October to Mid November |
| Sakurayama | Early November to Late November |
| Kamakura | Mid November to Early December |
| Aichi | Early November to Late November |
| Nagoya | Mid November to Early December |
| Tokyo | Late November to Early Decmeber |
| Kyoto | Mid November to Early December |
| Nikko | Early October to Mid November |
| Nara | Early November to Early December |
| Osaka | Mid November to Early December |
| Mount Fuji Area | Early November to Early December |
| Hakone | Early November to Late November |
| Miyajima | Early November to Late November |
| Arashiyama | Late November to Early December |
You can also check various tourist information centers throughout Japan. Here’s how it’s been shaping up so far in the autumn foliage season of 2018.
Beyond the breathtaking beauty of the leaves themselves, the dramatic landscapes and historic temples and shrines of Japan add to its autumn awesomeness.
One iconic must-see setting is at Mt. Fuji, where its brilliant white snow-capped conical peak contrasts against a frame of red leaves against a cobalt sky.
The northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, the Chureito Pagoda, the Maple Corridor, Yuyake no Nagisa Park and the Koyodai Observation Deck are your red bucket list spots. And check out the fall foliage festival known as The Fuji-Kawaguchiko momiji matsuri, which runs from early November through late November.
Japan boasts an array of public parks throughout the country, each with its own red glory. Nara Park has an abundance of wild deer, and historic landmarks, like Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple, to accent its many red maple trees.
Daisetsuzan National Park, in Hokkaido, offers up its reds at Mount Asahi, Ginsendai, Sounkyo, Mount Kurodake, and Kogen onsen, where you can ogle the trees as you soak in the natural hot springs.
The Aomori prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of Japan has many scenic hiking trails and the largest caldera lake in the mainland of Japan, Lake Towada, all lined with colorful trees in mid to Late October.
Head to Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, in autumn to see the leaves at the Toshogu Shrine, as well as in the mountains, where you’ll find the scenic Lake Chuzenji, the Ryuzu and Kegon waterfalls, and Yumoto onsen. A favorite leaf peeping spot is the Hangetsuyama Observation deck where you can take in Mount Nantai in the background.
In Central Japan, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers thrilling treks through the Hida Mountains, known as the Northern Japan Alps. Check out the Kurobe dam, Tateyama ropeway, and Shomyo Falls for autumn color in late September through early October.
Arashiyama, on the western outskirts of Kyoto, is filled with ancient temples and Japanese gardens. The Tenryu-ji temple, Jokakkoji temple, and Nisonin temple are especially beautiful settings in late November through early December.
Traverse the Togetsukyo Bridge to view the color beckoning from the mountainside forests. Tenryu-ji temple, Jokakkoji temple, and Nisonin temple to enjoy fall foliage.
Take the Sagano Romantic Train run by Sagano Scenic Railway and the Hozugawa River Boat Ride for a bucket list experience.
Many credit Kyoto, not only as the best cherry blossom mecca, but one of the best koyo destinations as well. Ancient temples and shrines, a variety of traditional Japanese gardens, and exceptional museums add to the draw.
Built in 1236, The temple of Tofukuji, built in 1236, considered one of the “Five great Zen temples of Kyoto,” with its impressive maple tree plantings, is the must-see here.
In Tokyo, you’ll want to head to Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen, two of the most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens, where maple trees accent gorgeous ponds, stone bridges and ancient te houses.
There, you can see autumn foliage lit at night as well, for a truly unique vision in late November through early December.
There are so many more places in Japan with red Autumn beauty… we couldn’t cover them all in this post. But stay tuned because we absolutely must check them out and share them with you in the near future.
Read more about Ravishing Red all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
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