Momiji Maple Leaf Viewing Custom - Experience the magic of Japanese autumn

Coming to Japan in the momiji season, visitors will feel the magic that autumn brings here. Momiji leaves will gradually change from green to yellow or bright red, creating an extremely romantic and attractive scene.

1. Learn about the meaning of Momiji

Momiji leaves will gradually change from green to yellow or bright red, creating an extremely romantic scene (Photo source: Collected)

When autumn comes, everywhere in Japan seems to be covered with a new coat of brilliant colors of momiji (red maple leaves). From narrow streets to ancient temples, from majestic high mountains to delicate gardens, everything becomes more sparkling than ever. Momiji is the phenomenon of leaves changing color from green to yellow and red before falling in autumn (so people often call it the red leaf season). Momiji usually starts from around September in the Daisetsuzan volcanic range (Hokkaido) and gradually spreads down to the south of Japan.

Momiji is not only a natural phenomenon but also a profound cultural symbol of Japan. It is associated with many traditional festivals, poems, and works of art. Japanese people often hold maple leaf viewing ceremonies, called "momijigari", to honor the beauty of nature and feel the flow of time. The red color of the maple leaves is like a small flame burning even the quiet corners of the street, creating an extremely romantic and warm scene. Each momiji leaf has its own shade, from dark red to bright orange, making the space lively and attractive. Photos taken under the canopy of momiji trees in autumn will be unforgettable memories for visitors.

The beauty of momiji only lasts for a short time, usually from mid-October to mid-November. Therefore, Japanese people cherish and enjoy these moments. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world flock to Japan to admire this beautiful scenery, creating a bustling and inspiring atmosphere.

2. Beautiful places to see red leaves in Japan

The autumn leaves follow a wave of colour that starts in the north (Hokkaido) and travels south to Kyushu and Okinawa. Late October onwards seems to be when the whole of Japan starts to turn red, reaching its peak around mid-November. Hiking is the best way to see the colourful leaves in the mountains, but many places are also conveniently accessible by train, bus or cable car.

2.1. Ancient capital Kyoto

There is no place like Kyoto to see the red leaves. The ancient capital of Kyoto is one of the most ancient places in Japan, a place with beautiful scenery, so when the red leaves season comes, this place is even more attractive from the mountains, temples and autumn festivals here.

Kyoto - the ancient capital of traditional Japanese features (Photo source: Collected)

Autumn foliage viewing schedule in the ancient capital of Kyoto

Tofukuji Temple: Mid-November - Early December
Tenryuji Temple: Late November - Mid-December
Kiyomizu Temple: Mid-November - Early December

2.2. Hokkaido

You may have heard of Hokkaido with its beautiful flower fields in the summer and the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in the winter. But autumn is the best season to travel to Hokkaido. In autumn, Hokkaido is strangely charming, coming here, visitors will admire the extremely romantic scenery with an entire area covered in beautiful yellow and red leaves. In Hokkaido, red leaves appear from early September to early November and usually last for about 50 days.

Red leaf season at Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido, Japan (Source: Red leaf viewing schedule in Hokkaido:

Daisetsuzan Park: Mid to late September
Shiretoko Park: Mid to late October
Eniwa Valley: October

2.3. Tokyo Capital

The yellow color dyes Tokyo University (Photo source: Collected)

In autumn, Tokyo is so splendid, the whole city is covered in yellow and red autumn leaves, the air is very fresh and cool. The maple leaves have gradually turned red, brightening the whole sky. The ginkgo flowers also turn bright yellow, the yellow and red colors intertwine, creating beautiful color patches throughout the campuses and temples, making visitors amazed by the modernity and splendor of Tokyo in the red leaf season.

Red leaf viewing schedule in Tokyo

Rikugien Garden: Late November - Early December
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden: Late November - Early December
Ueno Park: Mid-November - Early December

2.4. Chubu

One of the places that will surprise you the most during the autumn leaves season in Japan is the Mount Fuji and Five Lakes area. The Chubu region is famous for Mount Fuji and the Five Lakes (including Yamanakako, Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko). Of these 5 lakes, Kawaguchiko is the easiest to get to and has the most attractions. In autumn, the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko are the perfect place to see the autumn leaves and the picturesque Mount Fuji.

Autumn foliage viewing schedule in Chubu region:

Mount Fuji and Five Lakes: Late October - Mid-November
Lake Kawaguchi: November
Danto Uratani: Late October - Early November

2.5. Lake Kawaguchi – Fujikawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchiko, a four-season landscape painting of Fuji Five Lakes (Photo source: Collected)

Lake Kawaguchi is a beautiful lake located in Fujikawaguchiko town and is one of the five lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji. It has the longest shoreline, the lowest absolute elevation, the second largest lake, and the third deepest of the Fuji Five Lakes. In the middle of the lake is a small island called Unoshima.

Nowadays, Kawaguchi is the most popular tourist destination because it is the ideal resting place after the arduous journey of climbing and descending Mount Fuji. Each season, Lake Kawaguchi is blessed with different natural scenery. In the spring, you will see cherry blossoms, in the summer you will see lavender, and in the fall the whole area is immersed in the red color of maple leaves.

2.6. Korankei Valley – Toyota

It is a very popular place to see red leaves in autumn with more than 4,000 maple trees that change the whole space of the valley. From the end of October to the end of November is the ideal time for you to see the autumn colors in Korankei valley and enjoy the romantic space by the rows of maple trees with charming reddish brown color creating a beautiful natural picture.
In particular, every year in early November, the Koran-kei Momiji festival takes place, lasting about a month. During this time, maple trees will be hung with chandeliers. Tourists from all over flock here to immerse themselves in the mysterious atmosphere at night with the chandeliers shining on everything.

(The autumn leaf viewing time at each location may change due to weather factors. Please refer to the autumn leaf viewing schedule carefully to have a more complete journey to explore Japan).

Autumn in Japan is a combination of romantic beauty, a bit cool to please everyone and nature creates the autumn beauty of Mount Fuji as a distinct shade but also extremely characteristic with the proud symbol of Japan. Let's create wonderful moments for your trip to Japan through the Momiji festival.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/phong-tuc-ngam-la-phong-momiji-nhat-ban-v15838.aspx