Japan's Famous Autumn Foliage Spots｜Embark on a Fairytale Journey of Autumn

🍁 Japan's long and narrow archipelago begins to embrace autumn in late September, starting with Hokkaido's leaves turning red 🍁. As the cold air moves southward, other regions follow suit, with maple trees donning vibrant red hues 🍁. Similar to Japan's cherry blossom front in spring, the autumn foliage front progresses until early December when the leaves fall, creating a stunning seasonal phenomenon. People eagerly chase its trail like hunters, and the Japanese call this annual event "Momiji-gari" (autumn leaf hunting).

1️⃣ Shiretoko Pass
📆 Early October to Mid-October

🍁 Located on the Shiretoko Peninsula, often referred to as Japan's last untouched wilderness, Shiretoko Pass is one of the Shiretoko Eight Scenic Spots and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The peninsula boasts numerous autumn foliage viewing locations, offering breathtaking views of Hokkaido's iconic landscapes. The tranquil water surface reflects the fiery red leaves, creating a striking contrast with the snow-capped peaks of the Shiretoko mountain range.

2️⃣ Oirase Gorge
📆 Late October to Early November

🍁 Oirase Gorge is adorned with a series of waterfalls of varying sizes, surrounded by dense, lush trees. Starting in October, the leaves gradually change color to shades of red and yellow, beautifully complementing the vibrant green moss on the rocks, painting a vivid and colorful natural masterpiece.

3️⃣ Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
📆 Early November to Mid-November

🍁 Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a renowned spot in Tokyo for viewing plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and autumn foliage. With its ponds, artificial hills, and a carpet of maple leaves, the garden exudes elegance and charm. In November, the garden hosts a Maple Festival, where visitors can enjoy tea ceremonies 🍵 and traditional Japanese performances.

4️⃣ Meigetsu-in Temple
📆 Late November

🍁 During the autumn foliage season, Meigetsu-in Temple offers a breathtaking view through the circular window ⭕ of its main hall, showcasing the vibrant red and yellow trees in the rear garden as if framed in a deep crimson picture frame. Kamakura also features other temples like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Hase-dera Temple 🔔, making it worth spending a leisurely day exploring the area's autumn beauty.

5️⃣ Nasu Highlands
📆 Early October to Mid-October

🍁 Nasu Highlands is not only the most popular autumn foliage spot in Tochigi Prefecture but also one of the most beloved destinations in the Kanto region. Visitors can ride a cable car 🚡 to enjoy the scenic views while moving slowly through the landscape, cross suspension bridges, and venture deeper into the vibrant foliage. The combination of gentle white smoke rising from the mountains and the sea of red leaves creates a picturesque scene perfect for photography.