With the cooling temperatures and crisp, refreshing weather, autumn is the perfect time to explore the outdoors and enjoy the changing scenery. If you’re living in Tokyo and wondering what to do on a day trip during the autumn season, you might want to consider some of these fantastic autumn leaves day trips.
The leaves are transforming into golden hues, making it an ideal time for hiking. If you don’t want to venture too far but still wish to soak in the beauty of the season, here are 10 autumn leaves day trips that will allow you to relish the splendour of autumn foliage.
Autumn Leaves Day Trips from Tokyo
1. 大山寺 (Ōyama-dera)
Ōyama-dera is located in Kanagawa, approximately 1.5 hours’ drive from central Tokyo. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by the bright red leaves surrounding the steps of Ōyama-dera Temple and Ōyama Afuri Shrine. The best time to view the leaves is from mid to late November. The stone lanterns and autumn leaves lining the stairs create a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere. It’s a popular spot where you can enjoy the crimson autumn leaves and a stunning view over Sagami Bay, both day and night.
2. 箱根 (Hakone)
Hakone is a popular destination for day trips or weekend getaways from Tokyo, and in autumn, it becomes even more appealing. The autumn leaves in Hakone start around Lake Ashi and extend to Sengokuhara, Gora, and Owakudani.
One of the most picturesque spots is the Hakone Museum of Photography in Gora, where the autumn leaves shine amidst the moss and bamboo gardens. Hakone Gora Park is also known for its scenic beauty, with maple trees planted around the fountain and the Hakuun-dong Tea Garden.
Owakudani, a volcanic valley, offers a dramatic contrast between white smoke and the vibrant autumn leaves. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji, providing a spectacular view that differs from what you’d experience on foot.
3. 三溪園 (Sankei-en)
Sankei-en, located in Yokohama, is a Japanese garden established by businessman Tomitaro Hara in 1897. From late November to mid-December, when the trees are in full autumn bloom, maple and ginkgo leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold across various parts of the park.
The areas around Rinshunkaku and Harukusahiro in the inner garden, as well as Yokofuan and Rindoan in the outer garden, are particularly breathtaking. Visiting Sankei-en during an autumn leaves day trip makes Yokohama feel like an ancient city, rich in history and natural beauty.
4. 丹沢湖 (Tanzawa Lake)
Tanzawa Lake is one of Kanagawa’s 50 scenic spots and offers a serene environment where the greenery and autumn leaves are reflected on the tranquil lake surface. The autumn leaves start changing colour in early November, reaching their peak by mid-November.
Here, you can take a boat out on the lake for a 360-degree view of the autumn leaves. The area also has many restaurants where you can savour local specialities such as yamame trout and venison. Additionally, there is a hot spring nearby, making it an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy an autumn leaves day trip.
5. 三ツ池公園 (Mitsuike Park)
Mitsuike Park, covering about 300,000 square meters, is surrounded by rich forests and features three ponds. The park includes sports facilities like a baseball field, a multipurpose open space, and a tennis court, as well as a Korea Garden, which commemorates the friendship between Kanagawa Prefecture and Gyeonggi Province in South Korea.
In the autumn, winter birds often visit the ponds, and the trees begin to change colour in mid-November, with the autumn leaves reaching their full glory by early December. In the park, you can also enjoy autumn flowers like cosmos, cockscomb, and sanguisorba officinalis. Acorn picking is another delightful activity in the thickets during this season.
6. 日光 (Nikko)
Nikko is a must-visit location for anyone interested in autumn leaves. This small town is known for its stunning autumn foliage, with leaves turning red between late October and early November. If you live in Tokyo, Nikko is perfect for an autumn leaves day trip during this period.
Among the many incredible spots in Nikko, Lake Chuzenji stands out, located at the entrance of Oku-Nikko at an altitude of 1,269 meters. Here, you can walk along the lake while admiring the autumn leaves reflected in the water or take a sightseeing boat for a different perspective.
Mount Nantai offers another magnificent view of the autumn leaves as they turn red and yellow, providing a picturesque backdrop for hiking. Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s three major waterfalls, is another must-see spot, especially when the autumn colours are in full display.
7. 谷川岳 (Tanigawadake)
Mount Tanigawa is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, with an altitude of 1,977 meters, straddling the border of Gunma and Niigata Prefectures. The view from the ridgeline and summit is breathtaking, especially in early October when the rowan trees around the Tenjin ridge turn red.
You can enjoy the autumn colours from the ropeway leading to the mountaintop, and as you descend, the fiery red hues of the mountains contrast beautifully with the sky. The overlap of the autumn leaves season and the first snow makes this a unique spot, where you might witness snow-capped peaks surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves.
8. 尾瀬 (Ozegahara)
Ozegahara, Japan’s largest marshland, is located in Fukushima and takes just over 3 hours to reach from central Tokyo. The autumn leaves here, known as Kusamomiji, turn the grasslands golden from mid-September to early October. From late September, hardwood trees add red and yellow tones to the landscape, creating a stunning contrast with the green conifers.
Ozegahara is a special memorial and protected area where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Mt. Shibutsu and Hiuchigatake, along with the alpine plants that bloom in the high moor. The well-maintained hiking trails around Ozegahara and Ozenuma Pond make it easy to explore the area, with most trails being manageable within six to eight hours.
9. 伊香保温泉 (Ikaho Onsen)
Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is a famous hot spring destination, surrounded by the rich natural beauty of the Haruna Mountains. The trees in the area start changing colour from around October 20th, with the red leaves peaking in early November.
The annual light-up event from late October to mid-November creates a stunning effect, making the autumn leaves appear as though they are ablaze. A ropeway from the hot spring town to the summit of Uenoyama Park provides a panoramic view of the distant mountains covered in autumn colours, making it a perfect spot for an autumn leaves day trip.
10. 国営昭和記念公園 (Showa Kinen Park )
Showa Kinen Park, located in Tachikawa, features two impressive ginkgo tree areas: the Katarai Ginkgo Trees area with 98 trees and the Tachikawaguchi “Along the Canal” with 106 trees. These spots transform into golden tunnels during the peak of the yellow leaves season.
The park also boasts about 300 maple trees that turn red in the Japanese garden. During the autumn season, the park stays open in the evening, allowing you to enjoy the colourful trees illuminated against the backdrop of the park’s traditional Japanese garden.
Planning Your Perfect Autumn Escape
Autumn is a truly stunning season to explore Japan’s natural beauty and experience the vibrant autumn leaves. Which of these autumn leaves day trips would you like to embark on? Whether it’s a quick day trip or a more leisurely weekend getaway, be sure to visit one or more of these incredible spots to fully appreciate the splendour of autumn in Japan.
Read more about Autumn in Japan: Ways to enjoy Autumn, Places to enjoy Autumn leaves in Tokyo, Autumn Hiking Spots, Autumn Day Trip Ideas, Autumn Festivals in Japan, and What to Eat in Autumn.
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