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2024 Japan Autumn Color Report

2024 Japan Autumn Color Report

Last updated: 8 November 2024

Our 2024 Japan Autumn Color Report offers regular updates on fall foliage in the Greater Tokyo and Kansai regions, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama. Stay informed on the best spots to experience autumn’s vibrant colors, from city parks to scenic temples and mountain landscapes. Check back often as the season progresses to catch the peak of Japan’s autumn beauty, and help decide where to visit next.

Table of Contents
  1. Tokyo Area
  2. Chubu Region
  3. Kansai Region
  4. Have you enjoyed any nice foliage spots so far? Where do you recommend we go next?

Tokyo Area

In early October, autumn in greater Tokyo is just beginning to unfold. The trees haven’t yet donned their full autumn hues, but the season’s beauty is already showing in other ways.

In parks across Tokyo, such as Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, delicate cosmos flowers are swaying in soft pinks, whites, and purples, filling the gardens with their gentle charm. Meanwhile, vivid red spider lilies, or higanbana, make a bold statement along pathways and temple grounds, their striking red blossoms catching the eye amidst the lingering greenery.

Lake Kawaguchiko & Mt. Fuji Area (Yamanashi Prefecture / Photos: November 5)

Many visitors to Japan are eager to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji—or even take a day trip to the famous Lake Kawaguchi for a closer view. On November 4 and 5, two of our editors visited this scenic area to produce several new articles.

During their time here, they dropped by the famous Maple Corridor, where about 70 maple trees, some over 100 years old, line the Nashigawa River. It's the main spot for the annual Autumn Leaves Festival with food, souvenirs, and craft stalls. The area lights up from sunset to 9:30 PM, offering magical views of Mt. Fuji and the fall colors.

Kaori, our Japanese editor, mentioned: "The Autumn Leaves Festival is currently taking place at Lake Kawaguchi! While the foliage around Lake Kawaguchi and the Maple Corridor hasn’t fully turned yet, you can see some leaves beginning to show a hint of red. Although thick mist limited our chances to catch a view of Mt. Fuji, it’s still a lovely experience to stroll around and enjoy the crisp autumn breeze!"

And - yesterday, Mt Fuji finally saw snow! This year marks the latest arrival of snow since recordkeeping began 130 years ago.

Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture / Photos: November 3)

Located about two hours north of Tokyo, the town of Nikko is known for its vibrant foliage around its many historic sites, like the UNESCO-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine. In addition to the famous Kegon Falls, the area is filled with many smaller waterfalls, rivers, and streams, making it a tranquil day-trip destination for trekkers. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, Nikko's foliage will peak around November 17.

According to Live Japan's English editor-in-chief, Timothy, "It's such a popular destination, in fact, that we were unable to make train reservations on the Tobu line, and instead went via JR from Ueno Station. During our visit on November 3, many of the leaves were relatively muted or had yet to come into color, their 'bloom' delayed by warm weather.

"One of my favorite places in the Nikko area is the walk along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, which is about a 45-minute walk from Tobu-nikko Station. Curving along the Daiya River, this walking path passes beside a row of Jizo statues, known as 'Bake Jizo' or 'Ghost Jizo,' which are said to change in number each time you count them. The trail opens out to a small field ahead of the scenic Nikko Dainichi Bridge, from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

"On your way back toward Toshogu Shrine via Route 122, be sure to stop by either the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa and/or the Kanaya Hotel History Museum, both of which offer a glimpse into the area's incredible backstory." (You can read more about these places here.)

If you intend to visit Nikko during your time in Japan, be sure to reserve your transportation (and accommodations) as far in advance as you can!

Karuizawa (Nagano Prefecture / Photos: November 3)

Fall color report from Karuizawa! Karuizawa Taliesin is set within a vast property capturing the natural beauty of Karuizawa, with Lake Shiozawa at its heart. It features a rose-filled garden, art museums, historical buildings, restaurants and shops. Visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences through the seasons, from art and landscapes—such as flowers in bloom or autumn foliage—to outdoor activities like boating and go-karting, providing entertainment for all ages! Would you like to visit Karuizawa in fall?

Yamashita Park (Yokohama / Photo: October 20)

Yamashita Park (Yokohama / Photo: October 20)

Sporting beautiful views of Yokohama Bay, Yamashita Park is a popular place for people to gather on weekends. Along Yamashita Koen-dori Street are close to 200 ginkgo trees that typically turn brilliant gold from mid-November. During our visit, many of the leaves are gaining a lighter green hue, while some of the tops of trees are yellowing. Yamashita Park is also renowned for its rose gardens, while zinnias and other flowers are in beautiful bloom in beds around the park.

The Former Yasuda Garden (Tokyo / Photo: October 14)

This compact, Japanese-style garden is a hidden gem between the Japanese Sword Museum and the National Sumo Arena in Ryogoku, eastern Tokyo. A variety of lush trees encircle the koi pond, including Japanese maple and gingko. While most of the gingko trees in the area have fruited, their leaves have yet to change into their famous brilliant golden colors. While the Japanese maples also remain in lovely greens, many autumn flowers are in bloom. Crape myrtles are now bursting in vibrant pink clusters, while the honeysuckle-like Abelia are in bloom with their light pink and white flowers.

Comment from editor Timothy: "Ryogoku is a lovely place to stroll around in early autumn. It's also a great side trip from Akihabara, since it's just two stations away on the JR Chuo-Sobu line, and acessible from the Ueno area via the Oedo Line too. Besides the sumo arena, this area is also home to the Sumida Hokusai Museum, the Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum, and the Japanese Sword Museum, and many great restaurants."

  • Former Yasuda Garden
    墨田区立旧安田庭園
    • Address 1 Chome-12-1 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015

Chubu Region

Niigata City (Niigata / Photo: October 26)

"This weekend, I had the chance to visit Niigata City, and I took the opportunity to stop by Hakusan Park to see how the foliage colors were coming along. Walking past the Niigata City Performing Arts Center, I started to see hints of red and orange leading into the park. Though it was on a Saturday, the park wasn't crowded, making for a lovely stroll and some beautiful, vibrant pictures! Hakusan Park leads down to the Hakusan Shrine and then onwards down to Furumachi Street, where you can enjoy a local meal and do some fun retro shopping! While the rest of the city still seemed a week or so shy of the full-on foliage spectacle, Hakusan Park gave me the colorful welcome I was hoping for on my short trip!" - Johanna

  • Hakusan Park
    • Address 1-2, Ichibanboridoricho, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata, 951-8132
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Niigata Station (Echigo Line / Shin-etsu Line / Hakushin Line / Joetsu Shinkansen)
      12 minutes by bus
    • Phone Number 025-223-7420

Kiyosato Terrace (Yamanashi / Photo: October 19)

Kiyosato is a scenic highland resort nestled in the southeastern foothills of Yatsugatake in Yamanashi Prefecture. One of its well-known attractions is the rural Camp Seisen Ryo, founded by American professor and missionary Paul Rusch.

LIVE JAPAN Member Kenji reports: "When I visited, the fall foliage had just begun to change, so the colors weren't quite at their peak, and the leaves weren’t especially impressive. However, Kiyosato Terrace, which I filmed, is a stunning viewpoint. You can take a lift to the mountaintop, where you'll be treated to beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. On the day I went, a sea of clouds formed, creating a rare and fortunate sight. The area is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tokyo."

  • Kiyosato Terrace
    サンメドウズ清里 清里テラス
    • Address 8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumicho, Hokuto, Yamanashi 407-0311
    • ・Website: https://www.sunmeadows.co.jp/

Kansai Region

Wakayama Castle (Wakayama / Photo: October 28)

Wakayama Castle (Wakayama / Photo: October 28)

Have you heard of the coastal castle city of Wakayama? About 90 minutes south of Osaka, it's home to beautiful scenery - like Wakayama Castle, where around 450 cherry trees bloom each spring. Now, in early autumn, these leaves are slowly turning lighter greens before coming alive with vivid oranges and reds.

"Swaying gently in the warm autumn air, the trees created beautiful shadows along the rock castle walls. During my 30-minute stroll around the grounds, some of the Japanese maples were also in the very early stages of changing colors, around the Nishinomaru (Momijidani Teien) Garden and the Ohashi Corridor bridge on the castle's northwestern side." -Timothy

  • Wakayama Castle
    • Address 3 Ichibancho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, 640-8146
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Wakayamashi Station (Nankai Line / Nankai-wakayamako Line)
      16 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 073-422-8979

Have you enjoyed any nice foliage spots so far? Where do you recommend we go next?

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