1Lake Chuzenji

View colorful autumn leaves at Japan's highest lake

Lake Chuzenji is located at the entrance to Oku-Nikko, at the top of Irohazaka. At 1,269m above sea level, it is the highest lake in Japan, and Mount Nantai can be seen from its base. There are many tourist attractions in the surrounding area. We recommend taking a stroll while admiring the autumn leaves reflected in the lake, or taking a sightseeing boat to view the scenery from the lake.

[Best time to see] Mid to late October

2Mount Nantai

From the summit to the base, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the autumn leaves that change color every day

Mount Nantai (2,486m above sea level), located north of Lake Chuzenji, appears majestic when reflected in the lake.
During the autumn season, the leaves change colour to red and yellow with each passing day, allowing you to enjoy the view together with the beautiful mountain bases.
As many different types of trees change color, the best viewing times change, allowing you to enjoy the colorful display of trees for a long period of time.
Note: Climbing is allowed from April 25th to November 11th.

3Kegon Falls

A dynamic waterfall set against the autumn foliage of the forest is a must-see

Kegon Falls is a waterfall about 100m high that flows down a cliff from Lake Chuzenji.
Even among the many waterfalls in Nikko, this is one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, and stands out for its spectacular beauty. You can take an elevator down to the pool at the base of the falls, so it's a great way to see the waterfall up close while enjoying the colorful autumn leaves.
Among the many spots to see autumn leaves in Nikko, Kegon Falls is a spectacular sight that you definitely don't want to miss.

[Best time to see] Mid-October to late October

4Ryuzu Falls

A beautiful waterfall and beautiful autumn foliage can be seen during a stroll

Ryuzu Falls is located on the Yukawa River that flows into Lake Chuzenji. The water flows down a stepped rock formation and finally splits into two waterfalls before falling into a pool at the bottom.
The autumn leaves come earlier than anywhere else in Oku-Nikko, and the best time to see them is from late September. There is a walking path next to the waterfall, so we recommend walking along it to enjoy the flow and the autumn leaves.

[Best time to see] Late September

5Senjougahara

Take a stroll through the vast marshland, dyed golden by the autumn wind

This is one of Japan's leading marshlands, formed when the Yukawa River was dammed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. From early September to early October, the marshland changes color into a stunning gradation of autumn leaves. The marshland is a hiking trail with boardwalks, so you can enjoy the fields of silvergrass and the yellow leaves of the larch trees as you walk.

[Best time to see] Early September to early October

6Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

Admire the gorgeous autumn gardens of this elegant mansion

Tamozawa Imperial Villa was primarily used as the official residence of Emperor Taisho.
The buildings and gardens, which feature architectural styles from the late Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods, are valuable Property that convey imperial culture, and some rooms are open to the public at certain times of the year, so they can be enjoyed all year round.
It is famous for its weeping cherry blossoms in spring, but the autumn leaves are also spectacular. It is a hidden gem of a spot for viewing autumn leaves that does not attract many tourists. The large, graceful Japanese maples change color in the garden, and you can spend your time strolling around or admiring them from inside the house.
However, for disaster prevention reasons, there is no heating inside the house, so please bring warm clothes.

【Best time】Late October to early November

7Nikkozan Seiryoji Temple

The bright red maples add a gorgeous glow to the vermilion shrine building

The first temple on the pilgrimage to the 33 Kannon temples of Shimotsuke is Nikkozan Seiryakuji Temple.
The temple itself is small, but there are many maple trees, making it a hidden gem where the autumn leaves turn particularly vivid red and orange.
It takes about 18 minutes by bus from Nikko Station to "Kiyotaki Police Station", and then it's a 2-minute walk from there. It's a little inconvenient to Direction, but it's definitely worth stopping by.

8The slope of Kezoin Temple

A famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, with large trees covering the slopes in red and yellow.

Even though the best time to see autumn leaves has passed at higher altitudes such as Lake Chuzenji, the best viewing time is yet to come in Nikko city.
The autumn leaves covering the slope at the entrance to Kazoin Temple in Nikko City are spectacular.
The best time to see the leaves is mid-November, but depending on the year, you can enjoy the autumn leaves until close to December.

[Best time to see] Mid-November

9Ryuo Gorge

Breathtakingly beautiful valley

Ryuokyo Gorge was formed when the volcanic rocks created by the eruption of an undersea volcano 22 million years ago were eroded by the flow of the river. Located between Kawaji hot spring and hot spring, it is a spectacular valley overlooking the clear stream. As soon as you get off at Ryuokyo Station, you will enter the Kinugawa River valley, and with walking paths on both banks, it is a great course for a stroll to see the autumn leaves. It takes about an hour to walk, crossing bridges along the way and admiring the autumn leaves. The blue skies, autumn leaves, and deep blue clear stream make this a very popular spot.

[Best time to see] Late October to mid-November

Ryuo Gorge

• Fujiwara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• A short walk from Ryuokyo Station on the Yawata Railway Aizu-Kinugawa Line
• 0288-76-4111 （日光市藤原観光課）
• free

10Niseo Momiji Line

The view from the train window is filled with autumn colors, so enjoy your drive surrounded by autumn leaves.

The Nichibio Road, which runs through a plateau at an altitude of over 1,000m, is a 28km long tourist road that connects hot spring and Shiobara hot spring. As its name "Momiji Line" suggests, it is a wonderful driving course during the autumn foliage season.
This is a recommended paper pot where you can enjoy both the autumn leaves and the spectacular scenery that can only be seen on a plateau road. The best time to see them is from mid to late October, but if you are visiting in November, be sure to prepare for frozen roads and snowfall in the early morning.

[Best time to see] Mid to late October

Traffic jams in Nikko, Oku-Nikko and Kinugawa during the autumn foliage season

Nikko and Oku-Nikko are famous for their autumn leaves, so the roads can get very crowded and traffic jams can occur.
In particular, the uphill section of Irohazaka is congested even on weekdays, and on weekends and holidays, congestion begins around 7am and continues into the afternoon. What would take about 20 minutes to climb during quiet periods can take 3-4 hours during the autumn foliage season. For this reason, it's important to start heading out early in the morning.
We recommend heading uphill in the evening when the outbound lanes are crowded. Head uphill and spend the night around Lake Chuzenji. Start early in the morning to see the autumn leaves of Oku-Nikko shining in the morning sun, then head downhill while admiring the autumn leaves of Irohazaka before the traffic jams start on the outbound lanes. You can enjoy the autumn leaves of Nikko to your heart's content, including the city of Nikko, which is just starting to change color.

The Kinugawa area also has many spots to view autumn leaves, so it can get a little crowded, but it's not so congested that cars can't move at all, and it will take about 15 minutes to reach your destination compared to other seasons.