basic information

Colorful leaves (koyo) are to the Japanese autumn what cherry blossoms are to spring. The viewing of autumn leaves has been a popular activity in Japan for centuries and today draws large numbers of travelers to famous spots.

Each year, starting in late September, the "koyo front" slowly moves southwards from the northern island of Hokkaido until it reaches the lower elevations of central and southern Japan towards the end of November.

Below is a list showing the approximate autumn leaf season for various regions of Japan. Caution: the schedule can differ from year to year depending on the weather:

Hokkaido	mid September to late October
Tohoku	early October to early November
Kanto	early October to early December
Tokyo	mid November to early December
Nikko	mid October to mid November
Hakone	early to mid November
Fuji Five Lakes	late October to early November
Kansai	mid October to early December
Kyoto	mid November to early December
Shikoku	mid October to late November
Kyushu	mid October to early December

Famous koyo spots

Famous spots for autumn leaves are scattered across the country, especially in mountainous regions, parks, temples and gardens. A short list of popular koyo spots in the Kyoto and Tokyo regions follows below:

Kyoto:
	Tofukuji Tofukuji Station, JR Nara Line and Keihan Main Line Usually best in the second half of November, this temple displays some of Kyoto's most spectacular autumn foliage and gets very crowded.
	Takao JR Bus or Kyoto City Bus The spectacular autumn colors around the temples in this forested valley north of Kyoto are usually at their best a few days before the autumn colors in the city center.
	Yoshiminedera Bus from Mukomachi or Higashi-Muko Station Similar to Kiyomizudera on Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama), Yoshiminedera is a temple on the slopes of Kyoto's western mountains (Nishiyama) with nice views over the city.
	Arashiyama Keifuku, JR or Hankyu Railways Arashiyama is a district at the outskirts of Kyoto. The forested mountains in the background and the trees on the grounds of Arashiyama's temples usually turn colors in the second half of November.
	Shugakuin Imperial Villa Shugakuin Station or Shugakuin-rikyu bus stop The spacious and elegant gardens of this imperial villa feature beautiful autumn colors during the second half of November. It can only be visited on tours, and advance reservations are mandatory.
	Enkoji Ichijoji Station or Ichijoji-Sagarimatsucho bus stop A small temple within walking distance of Shugakuin Imperial Villa (see above), Enkoji offers beautiful autumn colors. Be sure not to miss the spectacular bird's view of the temple from the hill behind.
	Eikando Nanzenji-Eizando-michi bus stop Eikando, also known as Zenrinji Temple, is another of Kyoto's most popular koyo spots. It is one of several temples to offer special light-up opening hours in the evenings.
Tokyo:
	Rikugien Komagome Station (JR Yamanote Line) A Japanese landscape garden in central Tokyo. Autumn leaves are usually best towards the end of November.
	Yoyogi Koen Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) A Western style city park in central Tokyo. Autumn leaves are usually best in the second half of November.
	Koishikawa Korakuen Iidabashi Station (JR Chuo/Sobu Line) A Japanese style landscape garden in central Tokyo. Autumn leaves are usually best towards the end of November.
Around Tokyo:
	Mount Takao Takaosanguchi Station (Keio Railways) A wooded mountain, roughly one hour west of Shinjuku. The autumn leaves are usually best in the second half of November.
	Nikko Nikko Station (JR or Tobu Railways) The Oku-Nikko region around Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen is particularly nice for koyo. Depending on the elevation, the trees are most beautiful between late September and early November.
	Hakone Hakone-Yumoto Station (Odakyu Railways) The area around Lake Ashi is particularly beautiful. The autumn leaves are usually best in late October and early November.
	Fuji Five Lakes Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyu Railways) Mount Fuji in combination with the lakes and autumn leaves makes a spectacular sight. The autumn leaves are usually best in late October and early November.
	Shosenkyo Gorge Kofu Station (JR Chuo Line) Often refered to as Japan's most beautiful gorge, the Shosenkyo is particularly spectacular during the autumn leaf season, which usually takes place from October to mid November.
	Nishizawa Valley Enzan Station (JR Chuo Line) A densely wooded, narrow valley with picturesque waterfalls. The autumn leaves are usually best in late October and early November.

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