Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido​

Hokkaido is Japan’s earliest and most dramatic stage for autumn color. Thanks to its northern latitude and high mountains, fall starts weeks before Honshu: alpine zones in Daisetsuzan National Park can begin turning by mid-September, with colors cascading to towns and lakes into late October. Expect broad views; volcanoes, gorges, caldera lakes, and easy add-ons like ropeways and hot springs.

When is the Best Time?

• Overall window: mid-September to late October (earliest in the mountains; later at lower elevations and in southern Hokkaido).
• Earliest color: Asahidake (Daisetsuzan) is famous as Japan’s first place to display autumn colors; the peak at higher stations typically occurs in mid-September in a typical year, with annual variations. 
• South Hokkaido (e.g., Hakodate/Onuma): usually mid-October to early November.

Tip: Mountain weather shifts quickly. Ropeways sometimes publish foliage updates; local tourism boards and seasonal “koyo reports” are reliable week-by-week reads.

Top Places to See Autumn Leaves

1) Daisetsuzan National Park (Asahidake, Ginsendai, Kurodake)

Japan’s earliest autumn colors sweep down from the volcanoes of Daisetsuzan. Take the Asahidake Ropeway to alpine walking trails around Sugatami Pond, or head to Ginsendai/Kurodake for carpets of red dwarf shrubs and birch on the slopes. Typical high-elevation colors arrive in mid- to late September. Why go? Big-sky vistas, photogenic steam vents, and accessible lifts balanced with serious hiking options.

2) Sōunkyō Gorge (Daisetsuzan’s north side)

Dramatic columnar cliffs and waterfalls (Ginga & Ryusei) are framed by blazing maples. The Kurodake Ropeway and chairlift give quick access to views; foliage generally peaks late September to early October.

3) Noboribetsu Onsen & Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

Billowing steam over sulfurous terrain meets brilliant reds and golds—one of Hokkaido’s most distinctive koyo scenes. Best viewing is in October, often mid-month, and you can pair leaf-peeping with an onsen soak.

4) Jōzankei Onsen (near Sapporo)

An easy day trip (about 1 hour from central Sapporo), Jōzankei’s ravines explode with color; the local association even runs seasonal buses to five classic viewpoints. Peak typically falls in mid- to late October, depending on the year.

5) Lake Tōya & Mount Usu (Shikotsu-Tōya National Park)

A broad caldera lake reflects slopes of gold and scarlet. Ride the Usuzan Ropeway for panoramas of the lake and nearby cones, then unwind in a lakeside onsen. Colors are usually best early to mid-October at elevation, trending later at the lake level.

6) Shiretoko National Park

A UNESCO-listed peninsula of wild coasts and forests. Around the Shiretoko Five Lakes and passes, expect color late September to mid-October (weather-dependent). Wildlife viewing (deer, eagles) adds to the allure on clear, crisp days.

7) Ōnuma Quasi-National Park (near Hakodate)

Islet-studded lakes with Mt. Komagatake as a backdrop make classic Hokkaido postcards. It’s one of South Hokkaido’s best koyo bases, typically mid-October onward; easy access from Hakodate by train.

Scenic Drives & Leaf-viewing Routes

• Furano & Biei (Panorama Road / Patchwork Road): gentle hills, farm mosaics, and riverside groves shine in October; drives link viewpoints and cafés, with nearby Tokachidake for higher-elevation color. 
• Shikotsu-Tōya National Park loop: connect Lake Shikotsu, Jōzankei, Noboribetsu, and Lake Tōya for a volcanic-scenery circuit packed with koyo and hot springs.

Practical Tips for Autumn in Hokkaido

• Getting around: Public transport reaches the major towns and some ropeways, but car rental gives far more flexibility for chasing peak color and linking parks in a single day. (Roads are well signed; keep an eye on the weather at altitude.) 
• What to pack: Layers are essential—mountain areas can drop below 10 °C even in September; bring a windproof shell, gloves, and warm base layers. 
• Book early: Onsen towns (Jōzankei, Noboribetsu, Tōyako) and popular trailheads near peak sell out; reserve inns and ropeway-adjacent hotels in advance, especially for late September Daisetsuzan trips. 

Safety & etiquette: Trails can be icy after cold snaps; check local advisories. In wildlife areas like Shiretoko, follow posted guidance and keep distances from animals.

Sample 3–5-day Koyo Ideas

• Early season (mid- to late Sept): Asahikawa → Asahidake/Ginsendai → Sōunkyō → onsen night. Optional day-hike if the weather cooperates.
• Mid-season (early to mid-Oct): Lake Tōya & Mt. Usu → Noboribetsu → Lake Shikotsu/Jōzankei scenic loop. 
• Late season (mid-Oct to early Nov): Hakodate base for Ōnuma and city parks (e.g., Kōsetsuen), with warm evenings in a retro onsen town.

Leaf It to Hokkaido​

From Japan’s earliest reds on Asahidake to mirror-calm lakes near Hakodate weeks later, Hokkaido’s autumn lets you pick your perfect week and backdrop—peaks, gorges, or hot-spring towns. Anchor your trip around one or two of the spots above, watch the local foliage updates, and you’ll catch unforgettable color without the crowds of Honshu’s November rush.