Mount Fuji’s Kawaguchiko Momiji Festival: The Iconic Autumn View of Japan

Lake Kawaguchiko’s Momiji Festival offers one of Japan’s most instantly recognisable autumn scenes, with fiery red maples framing Mount Fuji’s snow-capped peak. Running from late October to late November, this festival transforms the lake’s northern shore into a glowing corridor of colour. It is one of the highlights of Japan’s nationwide momijigari season.

The main attraction is the Maple Corridor—a walkway lined with over a hundred maple trees whose leaves blaze in red, orange and gold. At night, soft illumination brings the scene to life, with reflections on the still waters creating an almost surreal beauty. Photographers gather early to capture the moment when Fuji’s outline appears behind the glowing foliage at sunrise.

Food stalls, craft markets and local performances line the lake’s promenade during the festival period. Visitors can taste hoto noodle soup, a Yamanashi speciality, and sample sweets made with local grapes and peaches. The nearby Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, dedicated to the kimono artist who recreated the lost dyeing technique of Tsujigahana, offers another layer of cultural depth within walking distance.

Access to Kawaguchiko is straightforward, with direct buses from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station taking about two hours. Accommodation fills quickly, especially lakeside hotels with Fuji views, so advance booking is strongly recommended. For a complete experience, stay overnight to enjoy both the daytime reflections and the evening illuminations.

The Kawaguchiko Momiji Festival encapsulates Japan’s fascination with balance—between mountain and water, tradition and art, day and night. It is a quiet yet powerful celebration of nature’s final blaze before winter, and it remains one of the most beloved scenes in Japan’s seasonal calendar.