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Autumn in Japan: 14 best places to see fall foliage

Japan’s fall foliage season begins around mid-September, starting with its northernmost island, Hokkaido.

Woman framed by red maple leaves admiring Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi in autumn, one of the best places to spot fall foliage in Japan.
Woman framed by red maple leaves admiring Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi in autumn, Japan. (Photo: Getty)

Apart from these things you can do in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido, one of the best things you can do in Japan is to see their picturesque fall foliage.

Japan’s fall foliage season begins around mid-September, starting with its northernmost island, Hokkaido. For the main island or honshu, where the capital Tokyo is located, the best viewing time of fall foliage is between mid-October and early December. Thus, November is probably the best month to visit any part of Japan if you want to admire the vivid autumn colours.

Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage in Japan and family-friendly hotels you can stay in for convenience and accessibility. As Hokkaido is the first to welcome autumn in the country, we’ll start with Hokkaido and move southward to other popular regions among tourists.

READ MORE:

Japan travel: 10 things to do in Osaka

Japan travel: 15 things to do in Kyoto

Japan travel: 15 things to do in Tokyo

Japan travel: 13 things to do in Hokkaido

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HOKKAIDO (SAPPORO)

1. Jozankei Onsen and Toyohira River in Sapporo

Hokkaido Jozankei Onsen Day Tour with Bus Transportation & Onsen Ticket

S$26.62 at Klook

Hokkaido Jozankei Onsen Day Tour with Bus Transportation & Onsen Ticket. (Photo: KKday SG)
Hokkaido Jozankei Onsen Day Tour with Bus Transportation & Onsen Ticket. (Photo: KKday SG)

2. Noboribetsu, near Jigokudani or Hell Valley

Noboribetsu Bear Park Admission Ticket | Hokkaido

S$25.64 at Klook

Noboribetsu Bear Park Admission Ticket | Hokkaido. (Photo: KKday SG)
Noboribetsu Bear Park Admission Ticket | Hokkaido. (Photo: KKday SG)

3. Hokkaido University and Nakajima Park in Sapporo

One of the most famous trees in Japanese autumn is the ginkgo and there is a ginkgo avenue at Hokkaido University. Over 380 meters long and consisting of 70 trees, it turns to golden yellow in autumn. (Photo: Getty)
One of the most famous trees in Japanese autumn is the ginkgo and there is a ginkgo avenue at Hokkaido University. Over 380 meters long and consisting of 70 trees, it turns to golden yellow in autumn. (Photo: Getty)

The best areas to stay in Sapporo are near Sapporo station and Susukino station. These are areas where you can do your shopping, and they are also well-connected to autumn sightseeing spots like Hokkaido University and Nakajima Park.

Family-friendly hotels to consider:

Fairfield by Marriott Sapporo

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo

Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo

Mercure Hotel Sapporo

KANTO (TOKYO)

5. Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji in Nikko

Nikko World Heritage Day Tour from Tokyo

S$147.75 at Klook

Nikko World Heritage Day Tour from Tokyo. (Photo: Klook SG)
Nikko World Heritage Day Tour from Tokyo. (Photo: Klook SG)

6. Hakone Museum of Art

Hakone Museum of Art

S$7.05 at Klook

HAKONE MUSEUM OF ART. (Photo: Klook SG)
HAKONE MUSEUM OF ART. (Photo: Klook SG)

7. Meiji Shrine Outer Garden in Tokyo

Yellow Gingko Trees Tunnel in Autumn at Meiji Jingu Gaien Gingko Avenue, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Getty)
Yellow Gingko Trees Tunnel in Autumn at Meiji Jingu Gaien Gingko Avenue, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Getty)

Several regions are great to stay in Tokyo, such as around Shinjuku station, which is near the Meiji Shrine, and other touristy areas like near Shibuya station and Ikebukuro station.

My favourite hotel, though, is in Shiodome — The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Shiodome. It is near the shopping street in Ginza and easily accessible to the man-made island Odaiba. The best reason for staying there is that you can see Tokyo Tower from your window if you book the room with the landmark view.

Family-friendly hotels to consider:

JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku

Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo

CHUBU (NAGOYA)

8. Shirakawa-go in Gifu

Japan Shirakawago and Hida Takayama Day Tour from Nagoya

S$106.48 at Klook

Japan Shirakawago and Hida Takayama Day Tour from Nagoya. (Photo: KKday SG)
Japan Shirakawago and Hida Takayama Day Tour from Nagoya. (Photo: KKday SG)

9. Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji area in Yamanashi

Mt. Fuji Day Tour from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Ice & Wind Caves

S$53.24 S$106.48 at Klook

Mt. Fuji Day Tour from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Ice & Wind Caves. (Photo: KKday SG)
Mt. Fuji Day Tour from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Ice & Wind Caves. (Photo: KKday SG)

10. Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Nagoya, Japan. (Photo: Getty)
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Nagoya, Japan. (Photo: Getty)

As for Nagoya, you can choose to stay around Nagoya station and Sakae station. You’ll find shopping malls, underground shopping streets, and popular eateries for hitsumabushi, an eel dish that Nagoya is famous for.

Family-friendly hotels to consider:

Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel

Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel

The Tower Hotel Nagoya

KANSAI (OSAKA, KYOTO)

11. Arashiyama in Kyoto

Arashiyama Hozu River Boat Ride | Kyoto

S$44.37 at KKDay

Arashiyama Hozu River Boat Ride | Kyoto. (Photo: KKday SG)
Arashiyama Hozu River Boat Ride | Kyoto. (Photo: KKday SG)

12. Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

Go for their night illumination to see the fall foliage in a different light, pun intended. Just be prepared for the bustling crowd.

13. Nara Park

Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park

S$96.62 at KKDay

Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park. (Photo: KKday SG)
Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park. (Photo: KKday SG)

14. Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle in Autumn. (Photo: Getty)
Osaka Castle in Autumn. (Photo: Getty)

Osaka city is so conveniently located that you can set your base here while you explore neighbouring cities like Kyoto and Nara. The best regions to stay in are none other than the shopping areas near Umeda station (you can also head off easily to Kyoto and Nara from here) and Shinsaibashi station.

My favourite hotel, which is often sold out during the peak period, is Cross Hotel Osaka. Its prime location in Dotonbori, where the Glico man sign is, makes it very attractive. Imagine you’re carrying bags of your shopping loot and you can easily head back to the hotel to unload and continue your shopping spree. What a luxury!

Family-friendly hotels to consider:

Hotel Nikko Osaka

Hilton Osaka Hotel

Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

READ MORE:

Japan travel: 10 things to do in Osaka

Japan travel: 15 things to do in Kyoto

Japan travel: 15 things to do in Tokyo

Japan travel: 13 things to do in Hokkaido

REVIEW: Get to Korea without flying with this themed staycay at Quincy Hotel Singapore

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