Nikko: Peak Colors

Following on with our 2025 autumn reports, today I was happy to visit my favorite autumn spot, Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture!

Although I visited at almost the exact same date as Charly did last year, the state seems a little further along in places this time. Many of the spots I visited at higher elevation were already at their best viewing or nearing it, while only the comparatively lower elevation spot of Shoyoen Garden was yet to reach its most vibrant autumn colors.

This time, I wasn't able to visit some of the mid-elevation spots such as Irohazaka, Lake Chuzenjiko and Kegon Falls. Given that the lower-elevation spot was so far behind, it is likely that those will continue to be colorful for a few weeks, and overall there will likely be nice spots for viewing until mid November. Higher spots like Ryuzu Falls should remain nice for about a week, mid-elevation spots like the Chuzenjiko area for the rest of the month, while peak colors in the town area will not likely start before early November.

My first spot of the day was the mighty Ryuzu Waterfall. Although I had driven through rain and fog to get to Nikko, once I got to an altitude of about 1000 meters I found blue skies and blindingly bright sun. I was also happy to find that the autumn colors were looking vibrant at the base of the waterfall, with fiery reds and oranges. At the top of the waterfall, there were some rusty browns, but there is still some potential for more color over the coming days.

Next I headed to the small hot spring town of Yumoto Onsen to see its lovely Yunoko Lake. Being a bit higher in elevation, at 1478 meters, it was not so surprising to see that the leaves were already fading to brown and some falling, particularly those covering Mount Toyama. Looking towards the east from the northern shore I could see a lot of pretty yellows painting the landscape, though.

I then started heading to lower elevations, stopping at Senjogahara Marshland. This spot is popular for its reddish yellow grass and bright yellow larches. While both were visible, overall the landscape felt a little before its best viewing, as there were not many reds and oranges complementing the yellows.

Finally, I headed down towards Nikko's town center to see the landscape garden of Rinnoji Temple, called Shoyoen Garden. I think this was my favorite spot of the day, as it was a very peaceful walk among some vibrant maple leaves. This spot was the least far along in terms of colors, as there were still large patches of green in the trees. The color contrast of greens, reds and oranges made for some nice shots.

And two bonus blooper photos for anyone who got to the end of this report: I also visited Kegon Waterfall to see how the leaves were doing there, but was instead greeted by a very thick fog! Such is the fickle nature of Nikko.