Top 5 Hidden Maple Scenic Spots Near Tokyo for an Intimate Autumn Foliage Experience
Last updated 2026-09-24 — Autumn is one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons, when frost-kissed leaves turn brilliant red. It's a time many visitors dream of—savoring matcha in a traditional Japanese house while admiring the beauty of the crimson foliage...
By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Autumn is one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons, when frost-kissed leaves turn brilliant red. It's a time many visitors dream of—savoring matcha in a traditional Japanese house while admiring the beauty of the crimson foliage. Located within a one-day trip from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture is spotlighting this season with its “Top 5 Kanagawa Maple Viewing Spots.” These locations offer some of the best places to enjoy autumn leaves, ranging from popular sights to hidden gems—especially perfect for art lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Autumn is one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons, when frost-kissed leaves turn brilliant red. It's a time many visitors dream of—savoring matcha in a traditional Japanese house while admiring the beauty of the crimson foliage. Located within a one-day trip from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture is spotlighting this season with its “Top 5 Kanagawa Maple Viewing Spots.” These locations offer some of the best places to enjoy autumn leaves, ranging from popular sights to hidden gems—especially perfect for art lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Enjoy the red leaves in Kanagawa. (Photo / Kanagawa Prefecture Taiwan Promotion Office)
Sankeien Garden (Yokohama City)- Best Viewing Season: Late November to Mid-December
Sankeien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden created in Meiji 39 (1906) by Hara Sankei, who made his fortune in silk trading. The garden features historical structures collected from Kyoto and Kamakura, offering visitors a taste of old Japan despite being located in Yokohama. The specially built “Autumn Leaves Listening Pavilion” is one of Yokohama’s premier maple-viewing spots. With its classic elegance and dancing red leaves, Sankeien is well worth a visit.
Sankeien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden created in Meiji 39 (1906) by Hara Sankei, who made his fortune in silk trading. The garden features historical structures collected from Kyoto and Kamakura, offering visitors a taste of old Japan despite being located in Yokohama. The specially built “Autumn Leaves Listening Pavilion” is one of Yokohama’s premier maple-viewing spots. With its classic elegance and dancing red leaves, Sankeien is well worth a visit.
Sankeien Garden. (Photo / Kanagawa Prefecture Taiwan Promotion Office)
Engaku-ji Temple (Kamakura City)- Best Viewing Season: Mid-November to Early December
Engaku-ji is a rare and famous temple in Kamakura, established in 1282 by Zen Master Mugaku Sogen, who was invited from Southern Song Dynasty China. As a prominent maple viewing destination in Kamakura, the temple’s “Ji Lin Hall” and “Myojo Pond” are dyed crimson each year, drawing large crowds. The “Relic Hall,” the only national treasure building in Kamakura, is occasionally open to the public during limited periods—so you might just get a chance to see a true Japanese national treasure during your foliage tour.
Engaku-ji is a rare and famous temple in Kamakura, established in 1282 by Zen Master Mugaku Sogen, who was invited from Southern Song Dynasty China. As a prominent maple viewing destination in Kamakura, the temple’s “Ji Lin Hall” and “Myojo Pond” are dyed crimson each year, drawing large crowds. The “Relic Hall,” the only national treasure building in Kamakura, is occasionally open to the public during limited periods—so you might just get a chance to see a true Japanese national treasure during your foliage tour.
Hakone Ropeway (Hakone Town)- Best Viewing Season: Mid-November to Early December
The Hakone Ropeway connects early cloud-capped Mount Komagatake to Owakudani, stretching all the way to Togendai near Lake Ashi. In autumn, the mountains of Hakone transform into a stunning canvas of red, yellow, and orange hues, offering breathtaking aerial views of the foliage. Beyond the leaves, you can also gaze at Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from the ropeway for nearly 30 minutes—making it the essence of autumn sightseeing in Hakone.
The Hakone Ropeway connects early cloud-capped Mount Komagatake to Owakudani, stretching all the way to Togendai near Lake Ashi. In autumn, the mountains of Hakone transform into a stunning canvas of red, yellow, and orange hues, offering breathtaking aerial views of the foliage. Beyond the leaves, you can also gaze at Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from the ropeway for nearly 30 minutes—making it the essence of autumn sightseeing in Hakone.
Hakone Ropeway. (Photo / Kanagawa Prefecture Taiwan Promotion Office)
Hakone Ropeway and Maple Leaves. (Photo / Kanagawa Prefecture Taiwan Promotion Office)
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