Must-Have Pocket List: 5 Popular Japanese Stays Known Only to Locals – Soak in Open-Air Hot Springs and Enjoy Autumn Leaves

Guests can enjoy the “three-tiered autumn foliage” view from the open-air bath, featuring early mountain snow, red leaves, and the coniferous forests at the foot of the mountains. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

Japan’s maple leaf viewing season kicks off from Hokkaido and moves southward. Stay options nestled not far from the city, with convenient access and surrounded by valleys full of maple trees, have become top choices for autumn leaf trips. A popular Japanese booking site has announced this autumn’s top 5 most popular maple-viewing hotels in Japan. Not only can guests take in the breathtaking sight of blood-red, snow-white, and green foliage in three distinct colors, but they can also immerse themselves in pristine forests and admire maple leaves reflected in the clear waters of Lake Taisho.

The “Okuhida Onsen Green Plaza Hotel Hakuba” is located amidst the Northern Alps, offering stunning mountain views. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

According to the list of this autumn’s top 5 most popular maple-viewing hotels in Japan released by Rakuten Travel, the champion is the “Okuhida Onsen Green Plaza Hotel Hakuba,” situated in Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s famous ski resorts, within the Northern Alps. Guests can enjoy the vibrant autumn foliage from both their rooms and open-air baths. By late autumn, they can also witness the beautiful “three-tiered foliage” of white snow, red leaves, and green coniferous forests. Guest reviews include, “We visited during the peak of the autumn foliage, and the view was gorgeous from both the rooms and restaurant,” and “The scenery outside the window was so mesmerizing I couldn’t stop looking at it.”

The open-air bath at the “Jozankei Grand Hotel” allows guests to enjoy hot, soothing springs while taking in the nearby fiery red leaves. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

Last year’s chart-topper, the “Kamikochi Taisho-ike Hotel,” claimed second place this year. Nestled in the primeval forest of Kamikochi, known as the “Home of the Gods,” guests can admire a carpet of red and yellow leaves spread across the mountains from every angle—whether in their rooms, the baths, or the dining area. The blood-red maple scenery reflected on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Taisho creates a breathtaking and unforgettable view. Guests have praised the hotel, saying, “From the windows, you can see new snow alongside red leaves. The scenery changes constantly, and you won’t get bored even if you stay for several days.”

Ranking third is the “Jozankei Grand Hotel,” the only Hokkaido property among the top five maple-viewing hotels. It is located in Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is just about a one-hour drive from Sapporo, earning it the nickname “Sapporo’s Backyard Garden” due to its proximity. The hotel’s open-air bath lets guests relax in hot springs while enjoying the nearby red leaves. The fourth-place spot goes to the “Lake Resort Main Building Goshiki no Mori” in Iriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, and fifth place is awarded to the “Royal Resort Grand Hotel,” also in Iriyama, Fukushima Prefecture.