Must-visit spots for autumn trips in Japan! The ultimate guide to Nikko's autumn foliage season

In autumn, this is all you need to know about Nikko's autumn leaves! 🍁

Nikko, Japan, is absolutely the top spot for autumn foliage! Miss it and you'll have to wait another year! Today, we're recommending some stunning autumn leaf spots that look even better than photos～✨

📍Kegon Falls
📌Address: 2479-2 Chugushi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
⏰Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
💰Admission: 550 yen
💫Best Viewing Time: Mid-October to early November
Early October is super impressive! The 98-meter-high waterfall surrounded by fiery red leaves🔥 with shades of orange, yellow, and green blending beautifully. The waterfall cascades down, and you can easily take amazing photos with your phone! You can also take a paid elevator ride to get up close and experience the breathtaking scene of mist and autumn leaves dancing together! (Elevator round trip 550 yen)

📍Lake Chuzenji
📌Address: Chugushi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
⏰Open all day
💫Best Viewing Time: Late October to mid-November
The lake water is as clear as sapphire💎 and surrounded by autumn leaves like a fairy tale world! Every angle is wallpaper-worthy～ You can rent a small boat 🚣‍♀️ to enjoy the foliage on the lake, or take a healing walk along the lakeside trail～

📍Toshogu Shrine
📌Address: 2301 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
⏰Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
💰Admission: 1300 yen
💫Best Viewing Time: Early November
The magnificent golden ancient architecture paired with autumn leaves is a perfect match! History and beautiful scenery all in one! 🤩 It’s recommended to come early in the morning for photos; the morning light on the leaves and ancient buildings is even more charming! A World Heritage Site plus autumn leaves for double the impact!

📍Irohazaka
📌Address: Irohazaka Mountain Road, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
⏰Open all day
💫Best Viewing Time: Mid-October to early November
A famous autumn leaf road in Tochigi Prefecture～ 48 hairpin turns 🌄 Driving through feels like traveling through a painting 🚗 (car rental or sightseeing bus recommended) There are multiple viewing platforms along the way where you can stop and take photos!

🌟Hidden Gems:
📍Nikko Futarasan Shrine
Full of mystery and atmosphere! The ancient autumn leaves perfectly blend with the shrine architecture～ especially dreamy in the early morning mist!
📍Rinnoji Temple
❗️Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
💰Admission: 400 yen
The garden paths are lined with century-old maple trees, every photo looks like a postcard! You can also enjoy a matcha and wagashi set in the tea house 🍵～

⚠️TIPS:
❁October to November is the best time to see autumn leaves (exact timing varies each year)
❁Highly popular, so book accommodation 🏨 at least two months in advance (Nikko Onsen hotels recommended)
❁Wearing light-colored clothes makes photos look better 👗
❁Bring a portable tripod for family photos
❁Avoid weekends to greatly reduce crowds

Viewing autumn leaves in the rain has its own charm! 🌧️ The red maples in the misty rain add a poetic beauty～