Beautiful Autumn Leaves! The Best 10 Must Try Places For Viewing Autumn Leaves In Japan!

Nikko City in the northwestern part of Tochigi prefecture is one of the most popular destinations for tourists as it has a world heritage site – Nikko Toshogu Shrine. In the Edo era, it had a strong connection with Tokugawa Ieyasu, and that created a saying, “Don’t say wonderful until you see Nikko”. Nikko is renowned for its rich nature including water falls and mountains. Especially people loved this place for a summer resort in the Meiji era, but it still has a lot of places to visit today! Now, I will introduce the best 10 places for viewing autumn leaves in Nikko.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Shrines and temples in Nikko are known as a world heritage site with 50.8 hectres. Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a great place to view autumn leaves. The best seasn is between the end of September and November, and you can then enjoy the change of colour!

Some places are for free to enter, and some charge you, so if you have visited this places a few times already, why not just enjoy the views? Horse back archery is to be held in October, and in a huge event in autumn, you are able to see Musha Gyoretsu. It is called “Sennin Gyoretsu” and all the men wear armor and participate in samurai processions.

Iroha Zaka

National Route 120, which links Lake Chuzenji and Umagaeshi, is called “Iroha Zaka”. This roads continues for 15.8km in total and you can enjoy a different view in each season – even when in autumn between September and November, the leaves of trees keep changing its colour.

Iroha Zaka was chosen as the top 100 roads in Japan. Although it can be quite busy during a peak season, there is no reason to avoid this place! When you take a break while driving, you will find a lot of scenic places.

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

f you drive for 10 minutes from JR Nikko Station, you will find this “Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park”, which was built for the Taisho emperor to relax. The old villa has been renovated many times today, and some parts of this 3 storey-building are open to public. Of course, viewing beautiful autumn leaves is a must-do here!

It takes about 40 minutes for inside of the building, and 15 minutes for a garden to take a look, so 1 hour is just enough to walk through! In the garden, there is a restauraut called “Miyabi” and you can taste matcha, and a local confectionery of Nikko, “Hi no Wa”, while enojying the views. Why not visit Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, which was designated as one of the top 100 historic parks?

Kegon Waterfalls

“Kegon Waterfalls” is one of 3 waterfalls in Oku Nikko with a height of 97 metres. Around this area, there are some popular sightseeing spots and scenic places. It was named after Avatamsaka Sutra (Kegon Kyo), and was found by Shoudou Shounin.

Around the waterfalls, there are another 5 waterfalls and it is said that those falls were also found by Shounin. At the bottom of the falls, there is a valley, and an elevetor for tourists to go up and see this dynamic falls. You can also look down at its basin.

Senjogahara

“Senjogahara”, which has a huge area of 400 metres, entertains you with its views as it has an unique story. It is said that the Gods of Mt.Akagi and Mt.Nantai started a war and this area was named as “Senjogahara”, and now it is just a calm and relaxing place! This place is a great hiking spot both for adults and children.

The plants start changing its colour towards autumn in this spacious area with no tall buildings at all. It also has a wooden boardwalk, so just try and take a walk for about 2 hours to get relaxed!

yuzu Waterfalls

“Ryuzu Waterfalls” is known as one of 3 waterfalls in Oku Nikko with Kegon Waterfalls and Yutaki. As there is a free parking and a cafe near the falls, you can just get relaxed! The falls itself has a height of 60 metres with a width of 10 metres. As its name, it is said that it looks as a head of a dragon.

The beautiful views of autumn leaves are breathtaking. You can enjoy the autumn leaves in an earlier time of the year compared to other places. Visiting this place is completely free with a free parking, no need to worry about your wallet!

Lake Chuzenji

“Lake Chuzenji” was created by a volcanic eruption of Mt.Nantai, and is known as a lake located at the highest elevation in Japan. There are Mt.Nantai and Senjogahara in the northern area, and all those places are popular among the tourists. It is said that Shoudou Shounin found this lake when he tried to climb Mt.Nantai.

Lake Chuzenji, which was one of the top 100 scenic places in Japan, lets you experience camping as well as hot springs. Enjoy the autumn leaves while cycling, or going on a cruise!

Italian Embassy Villa

Nikko was extremely popular as to have a villa in the Meiji period – this villa, built in that period for Italian Embassy, is now open to public! It was actually used until 1997 by them, and now it has become the park. You can overlook Lake Chuzenji from there.

A world famous architect Antonin Raymond designed this building, and it is an amazing place to enjoy its architecture and nature around the building. Just note that from September, the opening hour is 1 hour shorter than other seasons.

Kotoku Pasture

“Kotoku Pasture” – which has a huge area of 30,000 square metres has a popular soft serve. Located just 30 minutes away from Senjogahara on foot, there is a great place to relax in a calm atmosphere. There is a boardwalk which links to Kotoku Swamp not too far from the pasture.

Although children often visit this place to play in summer, all the trees start changing its colour in autumn and it becomes a great spot for viewing autumn leaves. The water itself is beautiful – keen how it will look in autumn?

Suginamiki Park

“Suginamiki Park” is where you can enjoy an avenue of cedars in Nikko, with a water wheel and get relaxed. It is actually an amazing place to take a break during the drive as it has a free parking too.

Since it is surrounded by trees and nature, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves in autumn! If you are lucky, you will be able to take a photo of the autumn leaves with a train (Tobu Tetsudo).

Visit Nikko To Enjoy The Beautiful Autumn Leaves!

How was it? I have introduced the top 10 spots for viewing the beautiful autumn leaves in Nikko! As Nikko is not too far from Tokyo, it has become one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Japan. Although autumn is the best season to visit, other seasons are nice too. Come explore Nikko!