Japan's 2026 autumn color season has arrived! The colors on Hokkaido's highest mountains peaked a few days ago and are looking spectacular. Today, I visited Mount Asahidake in Daisetsuzan National Park for our first report of the season.

Hot summers have resulted in disappointing colors here in many recent years, as the leaves dried up prematurely. However, the summer of 2026 brought relatively average temperatures, and I could detect little damage to the foliage. The official blog of the Asahidake Ropeway is even calling this the first autumn in five years with truly vibrant colors.

The Asahidake Ropeway brings tourists to an elevation of 1600 meters above sea level
Chinguruma plants along the hiking trail
Mount Asahidake from the first observation deck
The first observation deck
The colors are vibrant this year

Indeed, the colors were at their vibrant peak today along the 1-hour circular hiking trail around the ropeway's upper station. They should remain beautiful for a few more days while gradually moving down the slopes of the mountain. As the colors descend to lower elevations, Daisetsuzan National Park should continue to offer autumn colors through mid October.

Carpet of chinguruma plants
Hiking trail
The nanakamado bushes were beautifully vibrant for the first time in years
Seasonal colors everywhere
Impressive Mount Asahidake, Hokkaido's tallest mountain
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