Autumn in Japan: 14 best places to see fall foliage
Japan’s fall foliage season begins around mid-September, starting with its northernmost island, Hokkaido.
Apart from these things you can do in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido, one of the best things you can do in Japan is to see their picturesque fall foliage.
Japan’s fall foliage season begins around mid-September, starting with its northernmost island, Hokkaido. For the main island or honshu, where the capital Tokyo is located, the best viewing time of fall foliage is between mid-October and early December. Thus, November is probably the best month to visit any part of Japan if you want to admire the vivid autumn colours.
Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage in Japan and family-friendly hotels you can stay in for convenience and accessibility. As Hokkaido is the first to welcome autumn in the country, we’ll start with Hokkaido and move southward to other popular regions among tourists.
READ MORE:
Japan travel: 10 things to do in Osaka
Japan travel: 15 things to do in Kyoto
Japan travel: 15 things to do in Tokyo
Japan travel: 13 things to do in Hokkaido
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HOKKAIDO (SAPPORO)
1. Jozankei Onsen and Toyohira River in Sapporo
Hokkaido Jozankei Onsen Day Tour with Bus Transportation & Onsen Ticket
2. Noboribetsu, near Jigokudani or Hell Valley
Noboribetsu Bear Park Admission Ticket | Hokkaido
3. Hokkaido University and Nakajima Park in Sapporo
The best areas to stay in Sapporo are near Sapporo station and Susukino station. These are areas where you can do your shopping, and they are also well-connected to autumn sightseeing spots like Hokkaido University and Nakajima Park.
Family-friendly hotels to consider:
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo
KANTO (TOKYO)
5. Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji in Nikko
Nikko World Heritage Day Tour from Tokyo
6. Hakone Museum of Art
7. Meiji Shrine Outer Garden in Tokyo
Several regions are great to stay in Tokyo, such as around Shinjuku station, which is near the Meiji Shrine, and other touristy areas like near Shibuya station and Ikebukuro station.
My favourite hotel, though, is in Shiodome — The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Shiodome. It is near the shopping street in Ginza and easily accessible to the man-made island Odaiba. The best reason for staying there is that you can see Tokyo Tower from your window if you book the room with the landmark view.
Family-friendly hotels to consider:
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
CHUBU (NAGOYA)
8. Shirakawa-go in Gifu
Japan Shirakawago and Hida Takayama Day Tour from Nagoya
9. Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji area in Yamanashi
Mt. Fuji Day Tour from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Ice & Wind Caves
10. Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya
As for Nagoya, you can choose to stay around Nagoya station and Sakae station. You’ll find shopping malls, underground shopping streets, and popular eateries for hitsumabushi, an eel dish that Nagoya is famous for.
Family-friendly hotels to consider:
KANSAI (OSAKA, KYOTO)
11. Arashiyama in Kyoto
Arashiyama Hozu River Boat Ride | Kyoto
12. Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto
Go for their night illumination to see the fall foliage in a different light, pun intended. Just be prepared for the bustling crowd.
13. Nara Park
Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Nara Park
14. Osaka Castle Park
Osaka city is so conveniently located that you can set your base here while you explore neighbouring cities like Kyoto and Nara. The best regions to stay in are none other than the shopping areas near Umeda station (you can also head off easily to Kyoto and Nara from here) and Shinsaibashi station.
My favourite hotel, which is often sold out during the peak period, is Cross Hotel Osaka. Its prime location in Dotonbori, where the Glico man sign is, makes it very attractive. Imagine you’re carrying bags of your shopping loot and you can easily head back to the hotel to unload and continue your shopping spree. What a luxury!
Family-friendly hotels to consider:
READ MORE:
Japan travel: 10 things to do in Osaka
Japan travel: 15 things to do in Kyoto
Japan travel: 15 things to do in Tokyo
Japan travel: 13 things to do in Hokkaido
REVIEW: Get to Korea without flying with this themed staycay at Quincy Hotel Singapore
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