No need to battle crowds for autumn foliage – New hot spots for fall colors in Japan and Korea

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
 
Weather is getting cooler and you want to go abroad to chase the fall foliage, but the thought of crowded iconic foliage spots makes you reconsider? Good news: according to booking site data, besides well-known foliage destinations like Kyoto... Travelers' most-searched foliage destinations not only include cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo, but also South Korea, which has seen a surge in new flight routes. Among them, Daegu in central South Korea has shown an astonishing 1300% increase in search volume, vastly outpacing Jeju, Seoul, and Busan — making it this year’s hottest Korean foliage destination. Here are the top monthly searched foliage spots:

•Top foliage destinations to search in October:
 
Japan ─ Hakodate
Known for its star-shaped Goryokaku Fort Park and stunning night views, Hakodate has become even more accessible to travelers heading to Hokkaido this year thanks to the launch of low-cost carriers. Not far north of Hakodate lies Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma National Park, a famed foliage spot in Hokkaido made up of 126 islands. It's perfect for hiking or cycling while admiring the red leaves reflected on the lake surface.
Hotel Route-Inn Hakodate Ekimae ─ 4-star, starting from 4,880 JPY per night.

South Korea ─ Daegu
With Song Joong-ki, the star of “Descendants of the Sun,” serving as tourism ambassador and new low-cost flights operating, Daegu has emerged as a new highlight in Korea. The most iconic foliage spot is Biseulsan Provincial Park. Travelers can take a cable car up the mountain and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the crimson forests. In Korea’s fourth-largest city, don’t miss the artsy Geumgangseo Street and try the region’s specialty dish, steamed beef.
Novotel Ambassador Daegu ─ 4-star, starting from 4,218 KRW per night.

•Top foliage destinations to search in November:
 
Japan ─ Okayama
In Okayama, don't miss Korakuen Garden, a site honored with the highest three-star rating in the French Michelin Green Guide. With over 300 years of history, this expansive and meticulously planned garden features vast expanses of crimson maple trees that create a stunning contrast against the green lawns — a picturesque scene and one of Japan’s top choices for wedding photos.
Okayama Korakuen Hotel ─ 3.5-star, starting from 2,316 JPY per night.

Japan ─ Nagoya
Located in the suburbs of Nagoya, Kisogawa is ranked sixth nationally among Japan’s Tokai region autumn leaf spots. Every November, the area holds a Momiji Festival where the beautiful stream is surrounded by fiery red foliage, and illuminated night views make the forest glow golden. Over four thousand maple trees line both sides of the river, forming a vibrant red tunnel around the bright red Arashiyama Taigetsukyo Bridge — every moment is a breathtaking sight.
Nagoya Sakae Natural Hot Spring Dormy Inn Premium ─ 3-star, starting from 2,978 JPY per night.