Daisetsuzan National Park — Japan's largest national park — sees the country's first autumn foliage each year, with the high alpine peaks typically turning red and gold from mid-September onwards. The Asahidake Ropeway carries visitors up to the 1,600-metre level where volcanic fumaroles and blazing koyo create an otherworldly landscape unique in Japan. Lower valley trails such as Sounkyo Gorge follow the season down through October, offering accessible riverside walks beneath towering basalt columns draped in autumn colour. The combination of volcanic terrain, onsen villages, and early koyo makes Daisetsuzan a premier autumn destination.
- Type
- Experience
- Category
- Autumn Leaves
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Mid September to Mid October
- Region
- Hokkaido
- Prefecture
- Hokkaido
- City
- Higashikawa / Kamikawa
Highlights
- ◆Japan's earliest autumn foliage, from mid-September
- ◆Asahidake Ropeway to alpine koyo and volcanic scenery
- ◆Sounkyo Gorge riverside walks beneath basalt columns
- ◆Onsen village stays amid autumn mountain scenery
- ◆Hiking routes across Japan's largest national park