Hiking Destinations for Fall Foliage

As summer turns to fall, the leaves of the Japanese rowan, Erman’s birch, Japanese maple, Japanese beech, and other trees that grow in Japan’s mountain forests begin to take on the reds, yellows, and other colors of autumn.

The best time for viewing fall foliage depends on factors such as the height of the mountain and the region. In colder regions such as Hokkaido and Tohoku and at high altitudes, such as in the Japanese Alps, the leaves take on their autumn colors starting around late September. In the lower mountains near Tokyo, such as Mt. Takao, the best time to see the fall foliage is around November.

The Karasawa Cirque

In the Japanese Alps, hikers can enjoy the beautiful contrast between the rugged rock faces and the vivid fall foliage, with the Karasawa Cirque being an especially popular fall foliage destination. Mt. Kurikoma in the Tohoku region, meanwhile, is famous for its stunning fall foliage that covers the entire mountainside. Wetlands such as Oze and Mt. Hakkoda offer up golden fields of autumn grass.

Ozegahara

Due to short length of the fall foliage viewing season, the most popular destinations can become extremely crowded. Other factors you need to be aware of include the early sunset time and the need to protect yourself from the cold.

“Hiking Destinations for Fall Foliage” featured on this site are as listed below.

• Traverse Hike of Daisetsuzan Mountain Range from Mt. Asahi to Mt. Kuro-dake Traverse “the roof of Hokkaido” in a single day trip.
• Traverse of Mt. Hakkoda from Ropeway to Sukayu Onsen (hot spring) Descend from the gently sloping summit towards the wetland.
• Japan’s Own Long Trail: A 50 km Route Traversing Mt. Iwate, the Mt. Hachimantai, and Appi Highlands A trail offering a variety of enjoyable sights such as highlands, wetlands, and volcanic peaks.
• Traverse of Mt. Kurikoma from Iwakagami-daira to Sukawa Onsen (hot spring) From the scenic ridgeline, towards beautiful wetland and secret hot spring.
• Nasu Circuit of Mt. Chausu and Mt. Asahi A loop taking in two of Mt. Nasu's best-known peaks.
• Hike of a Sacred Mountain, Mt. Nantai in Nikko Area Round trip from the sacred shrine, Chuguji of Futarasan-jinja.
• Ozegahara, Round Trip from Hatomachi-toge Pass with a Loop from Ushikubi Tour one of Japan's top highland moors.
• The Easiest Route Up Mt. Takao / Tokyo hiking Tokyo's most popular mountain, the fast way.
• Mt. Tanigawa, Tenjin-one Ridge (Round Trip) Take the ropeway for the shortest route to Mt. Tanigawa.
• Round Trip Hike of Mt. Naeba from Wada-goya Set out for a walk towards the wetland stretching at the summit.
• Mt. Amakazari Round trip from Otari Onsen (hot spring) Round trip through the beautiful mountain famous for beech forest and alpine plants.
• The Karasawa Cirque, round trip from Kamikochi One of Japan’s great glacial cirque, in the heart of the Hotaka peaks.
• A Circuit Hike of Houou Sanzan from Aoki Kosen Traverse across three vantage points atop unique rock formations.
• Mt. Ishizuchi: Round Trip from the Ropeway Summit Day Hike on a Sacred Peak.
• Kuju Mountain Range: Mt. Kuju and Mt. Nakadake Circuit Traversing the Range with the Highest Peak of Kyushu Mainland.