Best Autumn Foliage Festivals in Japan: From Kyoto to Mount Fuji
As November unfolds, Japan bursts into colour with countless autumn foliage festivals that celebrate the changing leaves. From Kyoto’s temple gardens to the lakes at the base of Mount Fuji, these events showcase the country’s most picturesque landscapes and invite travellers to experience the season at its peak.
Kyoto’s Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Held annually on the second Sunday of November, the Arashiyama Momiji Festival takes place along the Oi River in western Kyoto. The event features a Heian-era style boat procession where participants dressed in historical costumes perform poetry and music aboard decorated boats. The surrounding hillsides blaze with red and gold maples, creating a scene reminiscent of classical Japanese paintings. Visitors can also explore nearby temples like Tenryu-ji, which offers panoramic views of the Arashiyama mountains.
Lake Kawaguchiko Momiji Festival
Running from late October through late November, the Kawaguchiko Momiji Festival transforms the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko into one of Japan’s most photographed autumn sites. The highlight is the “Maple Corridor,” a walkway lined with hundreds of illuminated trees that reflect on the lake at night. Food stalls, craft markets and live performances add to the festive mood, while the backdrop of Mount Fuji makes it truly unforgettable.
Osaka’s Minoh Falls and Castle Park
Just north of Osaka, the Minoh Falls Autumn Festival celebrates the vivid colours of the valley, where maple trees surround a scenic waterfall. Vendors sell momiji tempura, maple leaves fried in a sweet batter—a local speciality found nowhere else. Within the city, Osaka Castle Park hosts evening illuminations from mid to late November, combining history and seasonal charm.
Tokyo’s Autumn Splendour
In the capital, the Rikugien Garden Illumination runs from 28 November to 9 December, offering magical nighttime views of maple trees reflected in the pond. Visitors can also join the Hachioji Ginkgo Festival in western Tokyo, where golden avenues stretch for kilometres under clear autumn skies.
Together, these festivals form a tapestry of colour that defines November in Japan, blending cultural heritage with natural wonder.
