Top 10 Maple Viewing Spots in Japan (Part 1)::Famous Maple Sites::Maple Hunting::Autumn Leaf Information

◎ Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City In 2008, Kyoto topped Rakuten Travel's list of best-selling autumn leaf tour destinations. Autumn is arguably Kyoto’s most spectacular season. Already steeped in an aristocratic ambiance, the city becomes even more magnificent when its mountains and fields are adorned with red foliage. There are many renowned maple viewing spots here, including the famous Nanzen-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Tofuku-ji, and the Arashiyama and Sagano areas, all considered prime locations by maple enthusiasts.

◎ Ibaraki Prefecture, Oku-Kuji/Tsukuba Ranking just after Kyoto is Ibaraki Prefecture in the Kanto region. Its popularity mainly stems from its stunning mountainous scenery. The region’s highest peak, Mount Yamizo, is itself a renowned maple-viewing destination, where the hills are dyed in vivid shades of red and yellow in the fall, creating a breathtakingly rich and colorful spectacle. In addition, the hidden beauty of Nabana no Taki Waterfall, nestled among the mountains, is both majestic and powerful, ranking alongside the Kegon Falls at Nikko and the Nachi Falls at Kumano Nachi Taisha as one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls. ◎ Kanagawa::Hakone Located between Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, Hakone boasts a national park that the Japanese take great pride in. With its rich natural landscape, distinctive artistic atmosphere, and steaming hot springs, it has become a highly popular resort destination. In autumn, soaking in the hot springs while watching the maple leaves fall offers a uniquely delightful experience.

◎ Nagano Prefecture::Shiga Highlands The Shiga Highlands, located in the northeastern part of Nagano Prefecture, are surrounded by mountains and feature numerous lakes and wetlands, with ever-changing terrain. In autumn, the local maple, birch, and lush coniferous forests weave together a breathtakingly picturesque scene that soothes the soul. Additionally, it’s said that the famous Kinkaku-yu Hot Spring in this area served as one of the inspirations for the setting of Hayao Miyazaki’s famous animated film Spirited Away. If you have the chance to visit the Shiga Highlands, be sure to include a stay and soak here in your plans.