By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Autumn is one of Japan's most beautiful seasons, a breathtaking time when frost turns maple leaves brilliant red. The image of admiring the beauty of these leaves from within an ancient Japanese house while savoring a cup of tea is a dream for many travelers visiting Japan. Located within a one-day trip radius from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture features our special selection of “Top 5 Maple Viewing Spots in Kanagawa,” offering a variety of fantastic locations for leaf appreciation. From popular tourist spots to hidden gems, there’s something for everyone—especially a must-see for hipsters and photography enthusiasts.
Autumn is one of Japan's most beautiful seasons, a breathtaking time when frost turns maple leaves brilliant red. The image of admiring the beauty of these leaves from within an ancient Japanese house while savoring a cup of tea is a dream for many travelers visiting Japan. Located within a one-day trip radius from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture features our special selection of “Top 5 Maple Viewing Spots in Kanagawa,” offering a variety of fantastic locations for leaf appreciation. From popular tourist spots to hidden gems, there’s something for everyone—especially a must-see for hipsters and photography enthusiasts.
Enjoy the crimson leaves of Kanagawa. (Photo/Kanagawa Taiwan Promotion Office)
Sankeien Garden (Yokohama City)- Best viewing season: Late November to mid-December
Sankeien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden created in 1906 (Meiji 39) by Hara Sankei, who made his fortune in raw silk trading. The garden displays historic artifacts collected from Kyoto and Kamakura, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of Japan’s ancient capitals even while in Yokohama. The specially built “Autumn Leaves Listening Pavilion” is one of the top maple viewing spots in Yokohama. With the ancient city vibes and swaying crimson leaves, Sankeien Garden is definitely worth a visit.
Sankeien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden created in 1906 (Meiji 39) by Hara Sankei, who made his fortune in raw silk trading. The garden displays historic artifacts collected from Kyoto and Kamakura, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of Japan’s ancient capitals even while in Yokohama. The specially built “Autumn Leaves Listening Pavilion” is one of the top maple viewing spots in Yokohama. With the ancient city vibes and swaying crimson leaves, Sankeien Garden is definitely worth a visit.
Sankeien Garden. (Photo/Kanagawa Taiwan Promotion Office)
Engaku-ji Temple (Kamakura City)- Best viewing season: Mid-November to early December
Engaku-ji is one of Kamakura’s rare and renowned temples, founded in 1282 (Koan 5) by the Zen master Mugaku Sogen, who was invited from Southern Song Dynasty China. As a famous maple-viewing site in Kamakura, every year the temple’s “Ji-rin Hall” and “Myo-o Pond” are dyed crimson with autumn leaves, attracting a large number of visitors. The “Shari Hall” within the grounds is Kamakura’s only national treasure building and is open to the public for limited periods. You might just get the chance to admire this Japanese national treasure during the maple viewing season.
Engaku-ji is one of Kamakura’s rare and renowned temples, founded in 1282 (Koan 5) by the Zen master Mugaku Sogen, who was invited from Southern Song Dynasty China. As a famous maple-viewing site in Kamakura, every year the temple’s “Ji-rin Hall” and “Myo-o Pond” are dyed crimson with autumn leaves, attracting a large number of visitors. The “Shari Hall” within the grounds is Kamakura’s only national treasure building and is open to the public for limited periods. You might just get the chance to admire this Japanese national treasure during the maple viewing season.
Hakone Ropeway (Hakone Town)- Best viewing season: Mid-November to early December
The “Hakone Ropeway” connects Mount Sounzan to Owakudani, then on to Togendai near Lake Ashi. In autumn, the Hakone mountains transform into beautiful landscapes painted in hues of red, yellow, and orange, offering the joy of leaf viewing from high above. Beyond the autumn leaves, you can also gaze at Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from the ropeway for nearly 30 minutes—it’s truly the essence of autumn sightseeing in Hakone.
The “Hakone Ropeway” connects Mount Sounzan to Owakudani, then on to Togendai near Lake Ashi. In autumn, the Hakone mountains transform into beautiful landscapes painted in hues of red, yellow, and orange, offering the joy of leaf viewing from high above. Beyond the autumn leaves, you can also gaze at Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from the ropeway for nearly 30 minutes—it’s truly the essence of autumn sightseeing in Hakone.
Hakone Ropeway. (Photo/Kanagawa Taiwan Promotion Office)
Hakone Ropeway and autumn leaves. (Photo/Kanagawa Taiwan Promotion Office)
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