Autumn in Japan: 7 Spots to See Japan's Gorgeous Autumn Scenery

Scenic Autumn Spot ① Tsuta Numa Lake (Aomori)

Autumn leaves reflecting in Tsuta Numa Lake

Sights at Tsuta Numa Lake

The first must-visit autumn destination is Tsuta Numa Lake in Aomori prefecture’s city of Towada. It is one of the Seven Tsuta Lakes, and all seven lakes are connected by a walking path.

As autumn approaches, the leaves on the trees around the lake begin to change colors. If you visit on a day with little to no wind, you will be able to see the colorful leaves reflecting on the still water surface.

Visit during the morning hours to see Tsuta Numa Lake glimmer in the morning sunlight. The view is so beautiful, that it is often coined as a spot that is to be visited at least once in your lifetime.

When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Mid - late October

Scenic Autumn Spot ② Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki)

The autumn kochia of Hitachi Seaside Park

Sights at Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park, in the city of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki prefecture, is a national park with fields and fields of flowers.

An autumn favorite at Hitachi Seaside Park is the kochia field. Kochias are round, fluffy plants and turn into a bright red in the fall.

In late summer and early autumn, you can witness the “gradation kochia”, where the plants are changing colors from green to red. Other than kochias, you can find other autumn flowers like cosmos, roses and chrysanthemums.

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When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Late September - early October

Scenic Autumn Spot ④ Showa Kinen Park (Tokyo)

Showa Kinen Park’s Gingko Avenue

Sights at Showa Kinen Park

Showa Kinen Park locates in the city of Tachikawa, located about a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo. The park’s Gingko Avenue is a popular site during the autumn months.

At the Undo-hiroba square by the Showa entrance, you can find Gingko Avenue. During the fall, the gingko leaves turn into a rich, gold color and garnishes the path. On the canal by the Tachikawa entrance, you can also find the gingko trees by the calm waters.

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When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Early November - late November

Scenic Autumn Spot ⑤ Lake Yamanakako Hana-no-Miyako Park (Yamanashi)

The late-blooming sunflowers of Yamanakako Hana-no-Miyako Park

Sights at Lake Yamanakako Hana-no-Miyako Park

Lake Yamanakako Hana-no-Miyako Park locates by Lake Yamanakako, which is one of the Fuji Five Lakes. The park locates 1,000 meters above sea level, and provides a beautiful view of seasonal flowers with Mount Fuji in the background.

From summer to fall, the park’s gardens are decked with flowers like cosmos and late-blooming sunflowers. Enjoy a view of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji with a bed of flowers beneath it!

When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Late August - mid October

Scenic Autumn Spot ⑥ Yume-no-Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge (Shizuoka)

Yume-no-Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge with autumn leaves

Sights at Yume no Tsuribashi

Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge can be found in central Shizuoka prefecture’s Sumatakyo Gorge. The suspension bridge measures 8 meters high and 90 meters long, and only 10 people are permitted to cross at a time. This thrilling adventure paired with the fascinating fall scenery is quite something.

Beneath the colorful fall leaves and the suspension bridge, is an emerald green lake below you. The colors of nature are something you will remember forever.

The color of the lake varies by weather. On clear, sunny days, the lake will present an especially stunning, vibrant green color.

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When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Late October - late November

Scenic Autumn Spot ⑦ Rurikoin Temple (Kyoto)

Rurikoin Temple during autumn

Sights at Rurikoin Temple

Rurikoin Temple locates at the foot of Mount Hiei in Kyoto prefecture. The temple was closed off to the public as a protection of cultural property, but since 2015, the temple is open to the public during a few days in the spring and fall.

In the autumn, the fall leaves surrounding the temple reflect onto the black, lacquered desks in the study. It creates a world of fall foliage, and is an ethereal, dream-like sight.

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Read more Rurikoin Temple's autumn scenery↓↓
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Opening days

October 1 to December 20

Scenic Autumn Spot ⑦ Sandankyo Gorge (Hiroshima)

Autumn leaves at Sandankyo Gorge

Sights at Sandankyo Gorge

Sandankyo Gorge is in the town of Akita-Ota in Hiroshima Prefecture, and is a 16km-long gorge designated by the state as a national scenic spot. Along the gorge, you can see a number of beautiful waterfalls and powerful, rugged cliff faces.

Sandankyo Gorge is stunning all-year round, but the best season is undoubtedly autumn, when the leaves take on a warm, vibrant hue. At times you will see the autumn leaves will poke out from between the rocks, while at other times you will see them combining with the waterfalls to create a breathtaking scenery like no other.

There are many scenic spots throughout Sandankyo Gorge, but the three-stepped waterfall is especially popular. As the waterfall plunges down from one step to the next, you will be shaken by the sheer power of nature. In particular, the waterfall during autumn is surrounded by a vivid palette of autumn leaves, boosting the natural beauty of the scenery.

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Read more about the stunning nature of Sandankyo Gorge↓↓
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When is the best time to visit in autumn?

Late October - mid-November

Scenic Autumn Spot ⑧ Kunen-an (Saga)

The autumn leaves at Kunen-an

Sights at Kunen-an

Kunen-an is a traditional Japanese villa and Japanese garden in Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture. Every year, it is open to the public only during early spring and the peak season of autumn leaves. It is widely popular for its valuable scenery.

The building of Kunen-an is built in a traditional Japanese style named “Sukiya-Zukuri”. Using cedar bark on the walls, bamboo bars for the windows, and thatching for the roofs, Kunen-an has been crafted with great attention to materials. The heritage building, maple leaves and azalea combine into a truly stunning sight.

Regardless of when the season for autumn leaves is, Kunen-an is only open to the public for a fixed 9 days. This means heavy traffic throughout that time period! Since the peak of Kunen-an’s autumn leaves tends to arrive at the end of the open period, the final weekday of the 9 may be the ideal time to visit.

【Related Article】
Read more about how to get the most out of Kunen-an's busy autumn↓↓
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When is Kunen-an Open?

November 15th - 23rd

Experience Autumn in Japan!

Here, we listed 7 amazing autumn sites in Japan, but there are many more breathtaking views throughout the country. Visit Japan in the fall months for an adventure surrounded by beautiful autumn leaves under the clear, crisp skies.