In mid-November, the leaves around greater Tokyo are showing much more color. Ginkgo trees are turning golden in many spots, mountain areas are reaching peak maple season, and even the maples in central Tokyo are now seeing color.

Hatonosu Valley to Hikawa Valley is one of the easiest and most rewarding riverside walks in Okutama (Tokyo’s mountainous area), and it’s especially beautiful right now, as colors are near peak. The trail follows a deep blue river framed by steep cliffs, suspension bridges, and pockets of bright autumn color.

As you approach Okutama Station, the valley opens up with even more reds and golds along the water, making it a perfect day trip from central Tokyo.

It’s an easy route for first-time visitors who want great scenery without a long climb (Hatonosu Station to Okutama Station along the river takes about 2 hours), and a great way to enjoy Okutama’s fall season.

Showa Kinen Park is one of Tokyo’s best places to enjoy the golden colors of ginkgo leaves. Both of its yellow tunnels are now nearing peak, and with clear skies expected for the next few days, it’s a great time to visit!

While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Japanese Garden, where the maples are looking beautiful. During our visit on November 15, most of the Japanese maples in this area had already turned color, but you can still spot maples that are just shifting hue in other areas in the park.

To enjoy this area in an even more magical way, be sure to book a kimono rental!

Showa Kinen Park is celebrating autumn with its Koyo Festival & Autumn Night Walk 2025, where you can enjoy brilliant yellow ginkgo leaves and glowing red maples throughout the park even in the evening!

During the special Autumn Night Walk, the ginkgo avenue, the Canal, and the Japanese Garden are lit up. The Japanese Garden requires a separate viewing ticket, and some dates may sell out online, so be sure to check availability early.

The garden also features lit-up bonsai, colorful umbrellas, and wind chimes, creating a magical atmosphere. Umbrellas are available to borrow free of charge during the event period.

The event runs from October 30 to November 30, with the park open from 9:30 AM to 9 PM. Lights are on from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Please note that nighttime entry is limited to the Nishi-Tachikawa and Tachikawa Gates.

For ticket details, maps, and multilingual information, see the official event page.

Just over 2 hours north of Tokyo is the beautiful Nikko area, a popular getaway for Western visitors for well over a century.

While the Toshogu Shrine area, which was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, draws crowds of visitors this season, its colors tend to arrive more toward the middle of November. To enjoy the season in all its glory, we boarded a bus bound for Yumoto Onsen/Ryuzu Falls, immediately in front of Tobu Nikko Station, and hopped off at the Akanuma Bus Stop (around 1 hour away).

If you have ample time in the area and are up for some trekking, I suggest taking the bus one additional stop, to the Sanbonmatsu Bus Stop. This will place you immediately in front of the Senjogahara Observation Deck, where you can view the beautiful marshland unfold in front of you.

I chose to disembark at Akanuma, which also happens to be the head of several hiking trails, some of which hug the Yu River and are particularly enjoyable in late October/early November. If you're curious to check these out, you can download a trail map here.

In my case, I intended to walk from Akanuma, following the Yu River to Ryuzu Falls, then along the shores of Lake Chuzenji to Kegon Falls, for a distance of around 7km (90 minutes at a moderate pace).

There are several bus stops along the way, if you would prefer to hop on and off the bus, but do keep an eye on the bus schedule. The bus comes infrequently, and might involve considerable wait times.

Continuing down Route 120, you'll eventually come to a bridge spanning the Yu River, with a well-marked trailhead to your left. From here, you can see the start of the cascades, with Lake Chuzenji sparkling in the distance.

The upper part of Ryuzu Falls is very scenic, and I caught it nearly at peak foliage season. I estimate that the foliage would last for at least another week, where it will start falling away.

These are the famous Ryuzu Cascades, where the Yu River splits around rocks and trees. At the perfect time of day, you'll be able to spot a rainbow forming within the spray.

The foliage here was not quite at peak, and I estimate that it will be at its best around November 5.

I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Ryuzu no Chaya, a restaurant right above the cascades. If you're particularly keen on exploring the area, you might wish to consider staying at the Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel or Oku Nikko Hotel Shikisai, which will place you right near the north end of the lake.

Alternatively, instead of walking around Lake Chuzenji, you might consider a comfortable 35-minute cruise (1,200 yen for adults; see the official website for details). This departs from the Lake Chuzenji Cruise Shobugahama Pier, about a 10-minute walk south of the falls, along Route 120.

Continuing down along the road, you'll spot a trail that hugs the Lake Chuzenji shoreline. The paths are easy to follow, but can be muddy after rain. Alternatively, many views are visible from the road, but do be careful of traffic.

If you happen to stroll this way, you'll enter a tunnel of colors along the way, before being treated to views of gleaming golds and reds along the shores of Lake Chuzenji.

Continuing on for about 40-45 minutes, and you'll come to the Lake Chuzenji Lakefront Park area, where the leaves were gorgeous on October 30. I would recommend grabbing a bite at one of the restaurants in town or continuing on to see Kegon Falls, ranked among Japan's three most beautiful waterfalls.

The mountains surrounding Unazuki Onsen, on the southeastern side of Toyama Prefecture, are now glowing with peak autumn foliage. Brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold blanket the slopes, creating an unforgettable panorama that reflects beautifully in the Kurobe River below. It’s one of the most breathtaking times of year to visit this onsen town.

Hop aboard the Kurobe Gorge Railway and enjoy a ride along one of Japan’s most stunning valleys! This open-air train winds past vibrant autumn forests, steep cliffs, and the turquoise Kurobe River. Read our report below for details.

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