Japan Autumn Foliage Guide 2025: Best Places, Peak Dates, Routes & Travel Tips🍁
Japan Autumn Foliage Guide 2025: Best Places, Peak Dates, Routes & Travel Tips
From Hokkaido’s early blaze to Kyoto’s temple gardens — plan your perfect koyo trip with dates, routes and on-the-go eSIM.
How the Season Moves
Japan’s foliage front moves north → south, high → low elevation. As a rule of thumb: Hokkaido peaks in mid–late October, Tohoku late Oct–early Nov, Kanto/Kansai mid–late November, and Kyoto/Nara/Western Japan late Nov–early December. Dates vary slightly by year and weather; use the ranges below to pick a safe window.
Best Regions & Typical Peak Windows (2025)
- Hokkaido — Shikotsu–Toya National Park: Oct 15 – Oct 31 (lakes & volcanic terrain with golden larch).
- Aomori — Oirase Stream: Oct 15 – Oct 31 (mossy riverside path with layered waterfalls).
- Nagano — Kamikochi: Oct 15 – Oct 31 (alpine scenery, clear rivers and bold yellow birch).
- Toyama — Kurobe Gorge: Oct 20 – Nov 10 (trolley train through fiery ravines).
- Tokyo — Mount Takao: Nov 10 – Nov 25 (easy day hike with night light-ups).
- Kyoto — Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama: Nov 25 – Dec 10 (temple illuminations & classic townscapes).
- Miyazaki — Takachiho Gorge: Nov 25 – Dec 05 (canoe under columnar basalt walls framed by maple).
Suggested Routes (3–7 Days)
Classic Kyoto & Nara (3–4 days)
- Day 1: Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka → Kodai-ji (night light-up).
- Day 2: Arashiyama (Togetsu-kyo, Tenryu-ji garden) → Gio-ji moss temple.
- Day 3: Fushimi Inari at dawn → Nara Park & Kasuga Taisha.
- Peak: roughly late Nov – early Dec.
Alpine Colors & Ravines (Nagano–Toyama 3–4 days)
- Day 1: Matsumoto base → Kamikochi walking paths (Kappa-bashi loop).
- Day 2: Norikura Skyline (weather-dependent) or autumn Matsumoto Castle.
- Day 3: Kurobe Gorge trolley train (Keyakidaira).
- Peak: late Oct – early Nov.
Hokkaido Lakes & Volcanic Scenery (2–3 days)
- Lake Shikotsu & Lake Toya viewpoints → Noboribetsu onsen.
- Peak: mid – late Oct.
Photography & On-site Tips
- Light-up slots (Kyoto/Toji/Kiyomizu-dera) sell out — arrive early; tripod rules vary.
- Plan A/B: weather turns quickly in mountains — keep a backup low-elevation spot.
- Transport: JR Pass is limited in 2025 inventory; IC cards and express bus work well.
- Timing: edges of the window (start/end) are safest for crowds and color diversity.
Stay Connected with Japan eSIM
Check live foliage reports, navigation, and night illumination hours without hunting SIM kiosks. Grab a Japan eSIM:
- Instant QR activation, multiple data/day-pass options.
- Hotspot support on many plans; works on iPhone/Android eSIM-ready models.
- Submit device + start date at checkout; activate 1 day before for peace of mind.