The Autumn season in Japan, which is September and October, is a great time to visit! There are so many beautiful landscapes and places to visit. In particular, there are many places to enjoy the beauty of Autumn leaves. The Japanese call this “Koyo” or “Momiji” and there are many spots all across Japan that you can visit and see for yourself!
Koyo Spots in Tokyo
Koishikawa Koraku-en
Located in the central part of Tokyo, this beautiful garden has been around since the 1600’s. It is easy to get to and offers many beautiful views of Maple trees, Pine, Wisteria and more! This garden was influenced by Chinese design and is considered to be a Special Place of scenic beauty and a Special Historic Site of Japan. You can enjoy the colors of the trees, along with the waterfall here and many bridges.
Spot Information
- Name: Koishikawa Korakuen garden
- Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (Zip: 112-0004)
- Tel: 03-3811-3015
- Hours: Open from 9:00 to 17:00 (Entry until 16:30)
- Closed: Year-end holidays (December 29 to January 1)
- Entrance fee: 300 yen (Persons 65 and over: 150 yen) (No charge for primary school children or younger, and junior high school students living or attending school in Tokyo)
- Access: 3 minutes walk from [Iidabashi Station] of Toei Subway Oedo Line,8 minutes walk from [Iidabashi Station] of JR Sobu Line, Tokyo-metro Tozai Line, Yurakucho Line and Nanboku Line
Gingko Trees at Meiji Jingu Gaien
Near the Shibuya area, you can find this street lined with beautiful gingko trees that turn bright yellow in the Autumn season. This is a popular photo of spot in Tokyo during Fall. Many people come here to snap pics along the street with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the background!
Spot Information
- Name: Jingu Gaien Mae
- Address: 160-0013 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Kasumigaokamachi 2
- Opening Dates: November 15 to December 1, 2019
- Opening Hours: 10:00~20:00
- Entrance Fee: Free
Mt. Takao
Located about an hour away from Central Tokyo, Mt. Takao offers a beautiful landscape for hikers and nature lovers. You can ride the ropeway to the top and enjoy the amazing colors of Autumn while having a picnic with family and friends.
Spot Information
- Name: Mount Takao
- Venue: Cable car Kiyotaki Station (at the base), Ju-itchome Chaya tea room (on the slope), and Takao Forest Center (on Mt. Takao)
- Period: November 1~30
- TEL 042-643-3115
Showa Kinen Park
Known as the biggest park in all of Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park offers great views to those willing to travel! Here, you can find a gingko tree avenue that has a carpet of yellow leaves for you to walk on. You can also enjoy a barbecue, picnic, and more while you are here!
Spot Information
- Name: Showa Kinen Park
- Address:190-0014 Tokyo Tachikawa Midoricho 3173
- Period: November -the end of February
- Opening Hours: 9:30 to 16:30
- Admission Fee:
- Adult (over 15 years old) 410 yen
- Preschool Child Free
- Elementary and Junior High Student 80 yen
- Adult over 65 years old 210 yen
Koyo Spots Near Tokyo
Narita Temple
Close to Narita Airport and on the way to Tokyo is Narita Temple. This beautiful temple is huge and is one of the most popular places to visit for Koyo in Chiba prefecture. The garden next to Narita Temple offers a big lake where you can watch koi fish swim. There are many different types of trees for you to enjoy the many colors of Fall.
Spot Information
- Venue: Naritasan Park, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
- Address: 286-0023 Chiba-ken, Narita-shi, Narita, 1
- Telephone number: 0476-22-2111
- Access by Train :
You can take either the JR Line or Keisei Line from the Airport Terminal 2 Station. On either line, it takes about eight minutes by express or limited express to Narita Station. Get off the train at Narita Station and walk through the approach to the temple for about ten minutes, and you will find Naritasan Shinshoji Temple on your left.
Koyo Spots in Kyoto
Arashiyama
Known as one of the most picturesque places for Koyo in Fall, Arashiyama is located in the prefecture of Kyoto. There is a train that can take you through the valleys, while you enjoy the view of the trees, mountains, and river below. Once you finish your train ride, you can enjoy the famous bamboo groves that are next door as well!
Spot Information
- Venue: Arashiyama
- Access: Getting to Arashiyama
- By JR Train from Kyoto Station: Take the JR Sagano/San-in Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station and walk for about 10 minutes.
- By bus from Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto City Bus # 28 and get off at Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae (about 30 minutes).
- By Hankyu Line (from Osaka etc): Take any train from Kawaramachi, Karasuma, Omiya or Saiin stations, and get off at Katsura Station and then take the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama Station.
- By taxi: A taxi from downtown will take about 25 minutes and cost 2000 yen.
- By subway from Kyoto Station: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma-Oike Station and change to the Tozai Subway line heading west. Get off at the last stop, Uzumasa-Tenjingawa and change to the Randen Street tram to Keifuku Arashiyama Station.
- By bicycle: Cycle all the way west on Marutamachi-dori.
Kiyomizudera
Located on the north side of the main city of Kyoto, Kiyomizudera offers a great view of the city from the mountainside. Here you can enjoy large wooden temple grounds with trees that glow bright red and orange during Autumn. You can also line up with everyone else and try some of the pure water at the temple!
Spot Information
- Venue:Kiyomizu
- Access:
- City Bus from JR Kyoto Station: Get on No.206 bus bound for Kitaoji bus terminal via Higasihama-dori or No.100 bound for Ginkaku-ji via Kiyomizu-dera Gion. Get off at Gojozaka stop and walk east 10 minutes.
- Kyoto Bus (Saturdays and holidays only):
- Get on No.18 bound for Ohara. Get off at Gojozaka stop and walk east 10 minutes.
- Address - 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
- Operating hours : opens at 6 am but the closing time differs depending on the season.
Kodaiji
Very close to Kiyomizudera. This elegant garden is known for their nighttime view of Koyo. Bright lights illuminate the scene near the temple’s pond, offering a beautiful reflection that can only be enjoyed in the evening!
Spot Information
- Venue:Kyoto city
- Access: From Kyoto station by train 20min, by bus 15min, by 15min (In order to avoid traffic congestion, I recommend using Bus or train.)
- Opening hours: Autumn leaves light up show starts from 5:30pm, until 9:30pm
- Entrance fee : Night 500yen / Midday 600yen
- Address: Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-city, Higashiyama-district
Koyo Spots in Hokkaido
Daisetsuzan
This place is known as Hokkaido’s biggest national park. It Is a mountainous area that is popular for its untouched nature and beauty. Though not as visited as other Koyo spots in our list, this place offers an amazing view of the landscape during the Koyo season. Best of all, because this place is so far north in Japan, you can experience the Koyo season much earlier than the rest of Japan!
Spot Information
- Venue: Asahikawa
- Access:There are three buses daily from Asahikawa station or airport to the Asahidake ropeway station.
- Address(Asahidake Ropeway): Higashikawa-chō, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaidō 071-1472
Koyo Spots in Yamanashi
Mt. Fuji Five Lakes
The five lakes that surround Mt. Fuji to the north in Yamanashi prefecture are amazing to visit anytime of the year. During the Koyo season in Autumn, they can become breathtaking! There are many spots to view Mt. Fuji from while enjoying the amazing colors of Fall. We recommend visiting Lake Kawaguchi, where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and view.
Koyo Spots in Hiroshima
Miyajima
Miyajima is a small island near the main city of Hiroshima. It is known for its famous gate which you can find in the sea. The shrine on the island, Itsukushima Shrine, is very popular for locals and tourists. During the Koyo season here, you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and maybe even try eating a few maple leafs as one of the popular snacks during this time!
Wherever you go, we hope you get a chance to enjoy Koyo in Japan! If you have pictures of Koyo or Autumn colors to share, make sure to tag us on social media! Enjoy!
Spot Information
- Venue: Miyajima
- Address: 1162-18 Miyajima-Town, Hatsukaichi-City, Hiroshima
- Access:
- Boats to Miyajima directly with Hiroshima Peace Park
- 55 minutes, 2000 yen one way, 3600 yen round trip, 3-12 round trips per day.
- Boats connecting Miyajima and Hiroshima Port (25 minutes, 1850 yen one way, 6-8 round trips per day).
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