Introduction to Autumn Colours 2024 in Tokyo suburbs’ Onsen Resorts – with information about the best time to view fall foliage in different regions

Photo: Tsugaike Natural Garden, Hakuba

Tokyo suburbs

Although Tokyo is a giant metropolis, you can easily find rich natural environments and beautiful fall colours in its suburbs.

Note: 

1. This article introduces the best time to view the foliage in each area’s onsen resorts, as well as a number of selected ryokans in each onsen area.

2. The best time to view fall colours listed here is based on open information published in Japan.（Survey date: November 18, 2024） Influenced by the weather and other natural factors, the actual period when autumnal leaf colouration meets its peak might be a little bit different from our prediction.

Yuzawa Kogen Alp no Sato (Alpine plant garden)（湯沢高原アルプの里）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

One hour 20 min by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then 10 minutes on foot to Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway (Mountain Base Station)

Kiyotsu Gorge（清津峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

One hour 20 min by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then 25 minutes by bus to Kiyotsukyo Iriguchi and 30-min walk from there

Dragondola Naeba（苗場ドラゴンドラ）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-October to early November

Access

One hour 20 min by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then 35 minutes by bus to Naeba Ski Resort (Schnee Mae) and 20-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Echigo Yuzawa Onsen

Shimizuen Garden（清水園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) Two hours by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station, then 35 minutes by JR Hakushin Line to Shibata Station and 7-min walk from there
(2) Approximately 15 minutes by car from Tsukioka Onsen
(3) Approximately 30 minutes by car from Murasugi Onsen
(4) Approximately 45 minutes by car from Senami Onsen
(5) Approximately one hour by car from Iwamuro Onsen

List of Ryokans in Iwamuro Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yutagami Onsen

List of Ryokans in Murasugi Onsen

List of Ryokans in Tsukioka Onsen

List of Ryokans in Senami Onsen

Lake Kawaguchi（河口湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) Two hours by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Ongaku to mori no bijutsukan (Music and Forest Museum, Lake Kawaguchi), or
(2) one hour by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, then 50 minutes by Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station and 25-min retro bus ride to Ongaku to mori no bijutsukan (Music and Forest Museum, Lake Kawaguchi), then right over there

Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine（新倉富士浅間神社）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour 35 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Chuo Expressway Shimoyoshida, then 20 minutes on foot
(2) One hour by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, then 40 minutes by Fujikyuko Line to Shimoyoshida Station and 5-min walk from there

Mount Fuji 5th Station (Fujisan 5 Gome) & Fuji Subaru Line（富士山五合目・富士スバルライン）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) One hour 50 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station, or
(2) one hour by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, then 50 minutes by Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station, and 50-min bus ride to Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station

Shiraito Falls（白糸ノ滝・富士宮）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 40 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Mishima Station, 25 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Mishima Station to Fuji Station, then 20 minutes by JR Minobu Line to Fujinomiya Station and 30-min bus ride to Shiraito no Taki (Shiraito Falls)
(2) Approximately 45 minutes by car from Kawaguchiko Station (Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko Onsen)

List of Ryokans in Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko Onsen

Shosenkyo Gorge（昇仙峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to late November

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Kofu Station, then 30 minutes by bus to Shosenkyo Guchi and right over there

List of Ryokans in Kofu & Isawa Onsen

Mount Minobu（身延山）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Kofu Station, then 50 minutes by JR Limited Express to Minobu Station and 15-min bus ride to Minobusan (15 min by walk to the ropeway station bound for the peak of Mount Minobu from the bus stop)

List of Ryokans in Nishiyama & Shimobe Onsen

Lake Ashinoko & Owakudani Valley（芦ノ湖・大涌谷）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

One hour 30 min by Odakyu Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station, 40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Gora Station, then 9 minutes by cable car to Sounzan Station and 8-min ropeway ride to Owakudani Station

Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields（仙石原すすき草原）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

One hour 30 min by Odakyu Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station, then 30 minutes by bus to Sengoku Kogen and 5-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Hakone Onsen

Atami Plum Garden（熱海梅園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early December

Access

(1) 45 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Atami Station, then 15 minutes by bus to Baien and right over there
(2) 20 minutes by JR Ito Line from Ito Station (Ito Onsen) to Kinomiya Station, then 10 minutes on foot

List of Ryokans in Atami Onsen

List of Ryokans in Ito Onsen

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls (Nanadaru)（河津七滝）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) Two hours 30 minutes by JR Limited Express from Tokyo Station to Kawazu Station, then 25 minutes by bus to Kawazu Nanadaru and 10-min walk from there
(2) Approximately 40 minutes by car from East Izu Onsen
(3) Approximately 40 minutes by car from South Izu Onsen
(4) Approximately one hour by car from West Izu Onsen

List of Ryokans in East Izu Onsen

List of Ryokans in South Izu Onsen

List of Ryokans in West Izu Onsen

Shuzenji Onsen（修善寺温泉街）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

Two hours 5 min by JR Limited Express from Tokyo Station to Shuzenji Station, then 10 minutes by bus to Shuzenji Onsen

List of Ryokans in Izu Toi Onsen

List of Ryokans in Shuzenji Onsen

List of Ryokans in Numazu Onsen

Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge & Sumata Gorge（寸又峡・夢の吊橋）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

One hour by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station, 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Shizuoka Station to Kanaya Station, then one hour 15 min by Oigawa Railway to Senzu Station and 40-min bus ride to Sumatakyo Onsen Iriguchi
(Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge) 40 minutes on foot from Sumatakyo Onsen Iriguchi

List of Ryokans in Yaizu Onsen

Lake Hamanako（浜名湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

One hour 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hamamatsu Station, then take a bus

List of Ryokans in Lake Hamanako Onsen

Showa Kinen Park（昭和記念公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November to early December

Access

30 minutes by JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Tachikawa Station, then 10 minutes on foot

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden（新宿御苑）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November to mid-December

Access

20 minutes on foot from the south exit of Shinjuku Station

Mount Takao（高尾山）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

55 minutes by Keio Line from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station, then 5 minutes on foot to Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station or starting point for a climb

List of Ryokans in Central Tokyo Onsen

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple（成田山新勝寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

(1) One hour 20 minutes by JR Joban Line from Ueno Station to Narita Station, or
(2) one hour 5 minutes by Keisei Main Line from Keisei Ueno Station to Keisei Narita Station, then 10 minutes on foot

List of Ryokans in Choshi Onsen (Narita)

Yoro Keikoku Valley（養老渓谷）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

40 minutes by JR Sobu Main Line from Tokyo Station to Soga Station, then 10 minutes by JR Uchibo Line to Goi Station and one hour 20-min Kominato Railway ride to Yoro Keikoku Station
(Nakase Yuhodo Walking Trail) 5 minutes by bus from Yoro Keikoku Station to Tenryusou Mae, then 5 minutes on foot
(Awamata no Taki Waterfall) 15 minutes by bus from Yoro Keikoku Station to Awamata no Taki and right over there

List of Ryokans in Kamogawa Onsen

Nagatoro Gorge (Nagatoro Iwadatami)（長瀞渓谷）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to late November

Access

One hour 20 min by Seibu Limited Express from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu-Chichibu Station, then 25 minutes by Seibu Railway to Nagatoro Station and 5-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Chichibu Onsen

Fukuroda Falls & Namase Fall（袋田の滝・生瀬滝）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

One hour 15 min by JR Limited Express from Tokyo Station to Mito Station, one hour 10 min by JR Suigun Line from Mito Station to Fukuroda Station, then 10 minutes by bus to Takimoto and 8-min walk from there

Kochia (summer cypress) at Hitachi Seaside Park（国営ひたち海浜公園のコキア）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late October

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Limited Express from Tokyo Station to Katsuta Station, then 15 minutes by bus to Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi (Hitachi Seaside Park West Exit) and right over there

List of Ryokans in Hitachinaka & Itsuura Onsen

Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji（中禅寺湖・華厳の滝）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

One hour 50 min by Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa Station to Tobu Nikko Station, then 45 minutes by bus to Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal and right over there

Senjogahara Marshland（戦場ヶ原）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early October to early November

Access

One hour by bus from Tobu Nikko Station to Akanuma and right over there

Irohazaka Winding Road（いろは坂）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

35 minutes by bus from Tobu Nikko Station to Akechidaira and right over there

List of Ryokans in Nikko Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen（鬼怒川温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

Two hours by Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa Station to Kinugawa Onsen Station

Ryuokyo Gorge（龍王峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) 10 minutes by bus from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Ryuokyo Iriguchi, or
(2) 25 minutes by Tobu Kinugawa Line from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Ryuokyo Station, then 5 minutes on foot

List of Ryokans in Kinugawa Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yunishigawa Onsen

Nasu Ropeway & Mount Chausu（茶臼岳・那須ロープウェイ）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October

Access

(1) One hour 10 min by JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nasushiobara Station, then one hour 10 min by bus to Nasu Ropeway, or
(2) three hours 30 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Nasu Onsen, then 15 minutes by bus to Nasu Ropeway, and right over there

List of Ryokans in Nasu-Shiobara Onsen

Mount Harunasan Ropeway & Lake Haruna（榛名山ロープウェイ・榛名湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

(1) 50 minutes by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station, then one hour 40 min by bus to Harunako (Lake Haruna) and 20-min walk from there
(2) 20 minutes by bus from Ikaho Onsen (Ishidangai Guchi) to Ropeway Mae, then right over there

Ikaho Onsen（伊香保温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) Two hours 30 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Ikaho Onsen
(2) One hour 30 min by JR Limited Express from Ueno Station to Shibukawa Station, then 30 minutes by bus to Ikaho Onsen

List of Ryokans in Ikaho Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen（草津温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) Two hours 30 min by JR Limited Express from Ueno Station to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, then 25 minutes by bus to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
(2) Four hours by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal

List of Ryokans in Kusatsu Onsen

Lake Okushima（奥四万湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) Two hours by JR Limited Express from Ueno Station to Nakanojo Station, then 30 minutes by bus to Shima Onsen, or
(2) three hours 40 min by bus from Tokyo Station to Shima Onsen, then 7 minutes by car (40 minutes on foot) from there

List of Ryokans in Shima Onsen

Mount Tanigawa Ropeway（谷川岳ロープウェイ）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early October to early November

Access

One hour 10 min by JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Jomo-Kogen Station, then 50 minutes by bus to Mount Tanigawa Ropeway and right over there

List of Ryokans in Minakami-Tanigawa Onsen

Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway & Senjojiki Cirque（駒ケ岳ロープウェイ・千畳敷カール）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-October

Access

(1) Three hours 30 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange, then 35 minutes by bus from Nyotai Iriguchi (near Chuo Expressway Komagane Interchange) to Shirabi Daira Station and ride Komagatake Ropeway
(2) Approximately one hour by car from Hirugami Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour 20 min by car from Lake Suwa & Tateshina Onsen

Tsumago Juku（妻籠宿）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 40 min by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, then one hour 10 min by JR Limited Express to Nagiso Station, or
(2) two hours 30 min by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Shiojiri Station, then 50 minutes by JR Limited Express to Nagiso Station, and 10-min taxi ride from there
(3) Approximately 40 minutes by car from Hirugami Onsen
(4) Approximately one hour by car from Gero Onsen

Magome Juku（馬籠宿）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 40 min by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, then 50 minutes by JR Limited Express to Nakatsugawa Station and 30-min bus ride to Magome Juku
(2) Approximately 45 minutes by car from Hirugami Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour by car from Gero Onsen

List of Ryokans in Hirugami Onsen

Kumobaike Pond（雲場池）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

One hour 5 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station, then 4 minutes by taxi (or 20 minutes on foot)

Karuizawa Shiraito Waterfall（白糸の滝・軽井沢）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

One hour 5 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station, then 20 minutes by bus to Shiraito no taki and 3-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Karuizawa Onsen

Tsugaike Natural Garden（栂池自然園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-October

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then one hour 40 min by bus to Tsugaike Kogen Station and ride a gondola lift

Hakuba Mountain Harbor（白馬マウンテンハーバー）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) Five hours 20 min by bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, or
(2) one hour 30 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then one hour 20 min by bus to Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort and right over there

List of Ryokans in Hakuba Onsen

Lake Megami（女神湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

Two hours by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Chino Station, then 45 minutes by bus to Higashi Shirakabako (Lake Shirakaba) and 10-min bus ride to Megamiko (Lake Megami)

Tateshina highland (Menokami Observatory, Venus Line)＜蓼科高原（ビーナスライン女の神展望台）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) Approximately 40 minutes by car from Chino Station
(2) Approximately one hour by car from Lake Suwa

List of Ryokans in Lake Suwa & Tateshina Onsen

Matsumoto Castle（松本城）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

Two hours 30 minutes by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station, then 15 minutes on foot

Shirahone Onsen（白骨温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October

Access

(1) Two hours 30 minutes by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station, then one hour 40 minutes by bus to Shirahone Onsen
(2) 30 minutes by bus from Kamikochi Bus Terminal to Sawando Bus Terminal, then 15 minutes by taxi

Kamikochi（上高地）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October

Access

(1) Two hours 30 minutes by JR Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station, then 30 minutes by Alpico Railway to Shinshimashima Station and one hour 5-min bus ride to Kamikochi Bus Terminal
(2) 15 minutes by bus from Shirahone Onsen to Sawando Bus Terminal, then 30 minutes by bus to Kamikochi Bus Terminal

List of Ryokans in Matsumoto Onsen

List of Ryokans in Shirahone Onsen

Zensanji Temple（前山寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November

Access

(1) One hour 30 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Ueda Station, then 20 minutes by taxi
(2) Approximately 20 minutes by car from Bessho Onsen
(3) Approximately 35 minutes by car from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen

List of Ryokans in Bessho & Togura Kamiyamada Onsen

Shiga Kogen Highlands（志賀高原）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to late October

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then
(1) one hour 20 min by bus to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki, or
(2) 45 minutes by Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka Station and 30-min bus ride to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki

Kagamiike Pond（鏡池）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

(1) One hour 30 min by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then one hour by bus to Kagamiike Iriguchi (near Togakushi Shrine Okusha and Chusha) and 25-min walk from there
(2) Approximately one hour by car from Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen (Snow Monkey)