Don’t you just love autumn in Japan? The smell of the season’s fresh air, coupled with clear skies and leaf colors transitioning from green to orange and red – just the perfect way to experience this beautiful country.
Japan often gets the most crowded during the autumn and winter seasons. You know it’s about to transition to the fall season when the hot and humid summer air gives way to fresher and more relaxing surroundings. You will notice the weather getting colder, and finally, the leaves are changing their breathtaking colors. Ultimately, it’s like nature in action!
If you’re planning to visit Japan in autumn to get the best spots, you made it to the right guide! We’ll list down 20 of the best photo spots where you can catch the sweeping fall foliage with different shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow. Continue reading to find out.
To level up your travel photos in Japan, why don’t you hire a personal photographer? It’s an affordable experience and you could get stunning shots that you can cherish for a lifetime! Here at Photo Trips, we offer a wide range of photoshoots all over Japan. So make sure you check out our selection of:
1. Rikugien Gardens (Tokyo)
Let’s start with a landscape garden in Tokyo, which is famous for its maple trees during the autumn season. Head to Rikugien Gardens around late November before the Christmas holidays, and you might catch the vibrant colors achieving their peak reds and oranges. Take the best shot next to a Maple tree, with your camera leveled according to height.
After taking photos, take an afternoon stroll around the park and enjoy teatime inside the teahouses. Take advantage of the beautiful views around the stream.
Address: Rikugien Gardens
2. Anrakuji (Kyoto)
Anrakuji is a special temple that only opens to the public every autumn and cherry blossom season, so you can’t miss out on this opportunity. It is near the Philosopher’s Path, a beautiful trail with a yellow blanket, thanks to the vigorous yellow leaves in autumn.
What sets Anrakuji apart are the autumn leaves that make the temple’s stone steps look like you’re walking on a red carpet. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful garden inside this tourist spot, with a Nyoigatake.
Address: Anrakuji
3. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (Tokyo)
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is another zen Japanese garden surrounded by Momiji or red maple leaves. We recommend finding the tiny red full-moon bridge underneath the maple trees for the perfect photo spot.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo’s oldest landscaped gardens. It is believed to have been created in honor of the Tokugawa clan in the Edo Era. Apart from the beautiful fall foliage, this landscape garden is also famous for the Edo Daikagura performances.
Address: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
4. Minoo Falls (Osaka)
If you’re up for an adventure, Osaka boasts beautiful fall colors, especially in Minoo Falls. It’s a 33-meter waterfall which you can easily reach from Minoo Park. The trek from the park should take about 45 minutes. Yes, it’s long, but the trails are not challenging, so it’s suitable for beginners and oldies.
While trekking to reach the majestic falls, you’ll be able to pass by temples and Japanese boutiques. We highly suggest heading to Minoo Falls early in the morning for fewer people. This gives you more time to shoot the best Instragrammable photo. Plus, take note that the autumn colors peak from mid-November.
Address: Minoo Falls
5. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Tokyo)
You might probably have heard that Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a famous tourist spot during cherry blossom season. Yes, it also features excellent photo spots in autumn!
Inside this national park are three small gardens. The Japanese garden is best for autumn red maple leaves. The British Garden features stunning yellow ginkgo leaves for sweeping gold foliage. The French garden is famous for its blooming roses.
Address: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
6. Jozankei Onsen (Sapporo)
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Looking for the perfect photo spot in autumn that also gives you a relaxing experience? Jozankei Onsen is your best option. It’s one of Sapporo’s most charming onsen towns, making it a famous destination for tourists who love autumn leaves.
Jozankei Onsen is a rustic resort town, with the Futami Suspension Bridge and the Hoheikyo Dam are all surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. We recommend heading to the Sapporo International Ski Resort and riding the gondola to take aerial shots of the beautiful onsen town. For the most vibrant foliage, visit Jozankei Onsen in early October.
Address: Jozankei Onsen
7. Yoyogi Park (Tokyo)
One of Tokyo’s biggest parks is Yoyogi Park, a famous spot for strolling, picnicking, biking, and other outdoor activities. This national park features manicured gardens, wide lawns, and clear ponds for fresh air.
While Yoyogi Park is famous for the cherry blossoms, we also think it has one of the best photo spots during autumn because of the ginkgo tree forest. In late November, you can definitely see the tree leaves transitioning into an intense golden color.
Address: Yoyogi Park
8. Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki)
Hitachi Seaside Park is a famous sight because of the Baby Blue Eyes. However, it’s even more beautiful in autumn if you witness the breathtaking flower fields and the Red Kochia Hill!
The Red Kochia Hill features vibrant red Kochia ball plants, transitioning from green during summer to yellow in September. Catch the ball plants turning the reddest they can get in October, just in time for the fall season.
Address: Hitachi Seaside Park
9. Mikuni Pass (Hokkaido)
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Kamishihoro’s Mikuni Pass runs along the famous National Route 273. With its height of 1.14 meters above sea level, you will surely catch the best autumn views in Hokkaido, especially when visiting in late September.
Take the scenic drive and start from the beautiful Daisetsuzan National Park. This tourist spot also boasts stunning color transitions of the leaves as the weather becomes colder. Even better, you get free parking spaces along the drive, so you can take several photos of the fall foliage while taking in the view.
Address: Mikuni Pass
10. Osaka Castle (Osaka)
Don’t dare miss out on the grand Osaka Castle in September and witness the hidden oasis and mixture of vibrant reds and golds. Osaka Castle has always been one of the city’s most famous heritage sites. Moreover, it also features the perfect picnic spot where you can capture the most stunning photos during autumn.
Care for an Instagram-worthy shot? Take a photo of the castle enveloped by vigorous red hues from afar.
Address: Osaka Castle
11. Jojakko-ji (Kyoto)
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Another photo spot that can make you look like you’re entering a grand palace is Jojakko-ji in Kyoto. This majestic temple is on Mt. Ogura and is famous for the Ogura Hyakunin Isshitsu. Jojakko-ji has the most stunning views during fall, where autumn leaves cover the grand Niomon Gate entrance to the shrine.
Another site worthy of taking photos is the 12-meter-tall Dabotou or Pagoda, which is located on the peak of the stone steps. Temple precincts around Dabotou are excellent locations to witness Kyoto’s panoramic views.
Address: Jojakko-ji
12. Gozaisho Ropeway (Komono, Mie)
Another adventurous but worthwhile shot is riding the cable car along the Gozaisho Ropeway in Komono. The highest portion of the scenic ride offers the best aerial views. Imagine breathtaking panoramic views of autumn colors—gold, red, yellow, and orange. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Fall colors start to show up at Mt. Gozaisho come mid-October. You might even catch these pretty and vibrant color transitions at Yunoyama Onsen Hot Springs if you’re lucky.
Address: Gozaisho Ropeway
13. Nara Park (Nara)
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We can never forget the famous Nara Park, which features several locations that are perfect photo spots for the beautiful autumn leaves. You can spend practically one whole day exploring this tourist spot and admiring the beauty of true Japanese nature. Red Momiji maple trees surround Todaiji Temple, where the leaves exude a fiery red color during fall. You can also spot bright yellow colors from the ginkgo leaves.
Another excellent photo spot for autumn leaves is the Ukimido, a floating wooden pavilion. During the fall season, you’ll notice sweeping reflections of the fall foliage on the pond.
Address: Nara Park
14. Kiyomizu Temple (Kyoto)
Kiyomizu Temple, or the Pure Water Temple in Kyoto, is a famous temple in Japan, especially in autumn. It’s one of the oldest shrines with an unforgettable history and features beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.
If you want the best autumn leaves photo spot, head to the wooden stage inside the temple to witness panoramic maple tree views. Don’t forget to visit Kannon inside Kiyomizu, the Goddess of Mercy.
Address: Kiyomizu Temple
15. Lake Kawaguchi (Mt. Fuji)
Taking a photo of the breathtaking Mt. Fuji is living proof that you have visited Japan. Try visiting the area during the fall season, and you’ll catch autumn leaves enveloping the mountain, especially if you head to Lake Kawaguchiko.
Lake Kawaguchiko has two points where you can head off: the Momiji Tunnel and the Momiji Corridor. Red maple leaves are more evident from the Momiji Tunnel vantage point, and it’s best to visit the location around mid to late November.
Address: Lake Kawaguchi
You May Also Like: Best Photo Spots Near Mount Fuji
16. Tenryuji Temple (Kyoto)
Catching autumn leaves and taking beautiful photos are crowd favorites in Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is inside the Hyakkaen Garden. Besides beautiful fall foliage, you can also find elegant paintings inside, including The Cloud Dragon. This masterpiece is right in the middle of the Hatto Hall’s ceiling.
For the best shot, we recommend opening the shoji paper screens while the photographer is right behind you. Take silhouette shots while you’re facing nature to add more drama to your photos. The beautiful colors on the image should be coming from the fall foliage.
Address: Tenriyuji Temple
17. Blue Pond (Hokkaido)
A happy and satisfying accident is the Blue Pond near Biei. It’s a man-made tourist attraction that draws the crowds because the view is too mesmerizing not to be included on the list. As its name implies, the clear blue pond water is a sight to behold, ranging from emerald to turquoise to cobalt blue.
Visit the Blue Pond during autumn, and witness the combination of the cobalt-blue pond and the vibrant red maple trees.
Address: Blue Pond
18. Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido)
Another famous onsen town that boasts beautiful autumn colors is Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido. This hot spring town is part of the famous Shikotsu-Toya National Park and remains to be the most famous onsen resort in Hokkaido because of the different kinds of hot spring water. Did you know that each type of water has different relaxing properties?
You will love taking panoramic shots during autumn when the vibrant red maple trees blend in with the hot springs’ blue color.
Address: Noboribetsu Onsen
19. Takenotera-Jizoin (Kyoto)
Takenotera-Jizoin, more commonly known as Jizoin Temple, also has a beautiful viewing spot for the autumn foliage. You should visit this place a little later than other locations in Kyoto to catch the best views of the color-changing leaves. We recommend heading to this temple from late November to mid-December.
Surrounding Jizoin Temple are bamboo groves that uniquely contrast the reds, oranges, and golds from the autumn leaves. A famous spot in this temple is the Inome-mado, or the heart-shaped window.
Address: Takenotera-Jizoin
20. Sohonzan Komyoji Temple (Kyoto)
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Finally, a lesser-known attraction with beautiful fall foliage photo spots is Sohonzan Komyoji Temple. You can find this temple in Nishiyama, Nagaokakyo City. While this temple is beautiful in all four seasons, it’s extra dramatic during fall from November to December.
Head to the special entrance outside the temple, especially made for the fall foliage. About 250 huge maple trees comprise the line-up, making it the best photo spot for the autumn leaves.
Address: Sohonzan Komyoji Temple
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Our top recommendations can help you capture the most mesmerizing autumn leaves photo spots around Japan. To make your photo look even more Instagram-worthy, rent a cute kimono and feel like a true Japanese local!
Looking for more autumn spots? Check out our recommend autumn spots in these 3 cities too:
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