Visit Japan in the fall for the spectacular fall leaves.
Japan is simply spectacular in the fall. The weather moves pretty quickly from a wet summer to a cold winter, creating a dramatic turn of koyo leaves and a burst of bright oranges, golds, and reds across the country.
The most beloved leaves belong to momiji or Japanese maple trees and these turn a beautiful reddish every year. Famous places in momiji include national parks such as Hokkaido’s Daisetsusan and Kurobe Gorge in the Japanese Alps, while in Kyoto temples, such as Kiyomizu-dera and Eikando, there are spectacular maple gardens placed to contemplate the architecture of the temple.
When to go: Unlike the cherry blossom season, the fall leaves change over a longer period of time, making it easier to plan your trip. Fall colors appear in Hokkaido in late September and in the high peaks of the Japanese Alps in November. However, keep in mind that in Tokyo and Kyoto the leaves don’t turn until mid-November, much later than many tourists imagine.