One Day Trips from Tokyo in Autumn: Best Autumn Leaves Spots near Tokyo

Colourful autumn leaves can be enjoyed across the country during the season! There are numbers of amazing autumn leaves spots in Tokyo, but if you want to immerse yourself into the autumn colours in rich nature, it’s highly recommended to go countryside. Even if you are planning to visit Tokyo for a short period, there are some amazing autumn leaves viewing spots that you can access easily for a day trip from the city center.

In this article, I’m going to introduce some of the best autumn leaves spots in Kanto area that are perfect day trip destinations from Tokyo this autumn!

1. Nikko, Tochigi

Nikko is a small city in Tochigi Prefecture, best known for the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, one of the most important historic monuments in Japan. The city is also a popular destination for autumn leaves viewing as the surrounding mountains are covered in red and yellow in autumn and there are numbers of great spots to enjoy the gorgeous autumn scenery such as the lake, waterfalls and gorge.

Access: Tobu-Nikko line from Asakusa Station towards Tobu Nikko station(2h 45mins)

Best time to visit: mid Oct to early Nov

Related article: Nikko: Best Things to Do

2. Yoro Valley, Chiba

Yoro Valley or Yoro Keikoku is located in Yoro Keikoku Okukiyosumi Prefectural Natural Park, southern Chiba Prefecture. It’s highly popular setting for hiking. The valley displays amazing scenery in each season, but the best time to visit is during autumn when the autumn leaves turn red and yellow.

Access: JR Sobu line or JR Keiyo line from Tokyo station towards Goi station then change to Kominato line towards Yoro Keikoku Station (2.5 hs)

Best time to visit: end of Nov to early Dec

3. Nagatoro, Saitama

Nagatoro is a town in the northwest of Saitama Prefecture. It’s a popular destination for nature activities such as hiking, river boat cruise, rafting and camping. You can enjoy the gorgeous view of autumn leaves along Arakawa River, and the autumn leaves festival and night light-up event take place in November every year.

Access: JR Takasaki line from Tokyo station towards Kumagaya station then change to Chichibu line towards Nagatoro station (2 hs)

Best time to visit: mid to end Nov

4. Hakone, Kanagawa

Hakone is one of the most popular Onsen destinations in Japan which you can access easily from Tokyo. Hakone’s beautiful nature become golden colour during autumn, and you can enjoy the autumn colour with an astonishing view of Mt Fuji. There are some Onsen spots or ryokan inns that have amazing views of autumn leaves, too.

Access by train: JR Tokaido line from Tokyo/Shinagawa station towards Odawara station then change to Hakone Tozan line towards Hakone Yumoto Station (1h 45mins) OR Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku station directly to Hakone Yumoto station (1h 20 mins)

Access by bus: Direct bus services available from Shunjuku Station/Haneda Airport/Yokohama station to Hakone Yumoto (1.5 hs)

Best time to visit: early to mid Nov

Related article: Hakone: Best Things to Do

5. Nasu Kogen, Tochigi

Nasu Kogen is a highland and resort area of Mt Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, offering an abundance of nature and landscape as well as various tourist facilities such as museums, parks, zoo, hot spring and hotels. You can enjoy a scenic hike with the gorgeous view of autumn leaves from early October.

Access by train: Tohoku Shinkansen line from Tokyo towards Nasu Shiobara station (1h 15 mins)

Access by bus: Direct bus services available from Shunjuku Station (3.5 hs)

Best time to visit: early to mid Oct

More one-day trip destinations from Tokyo!

▶ One Day Trips from Tokyo in Spring
▶ One Day Trips from Tokyo in Summer
▶ One Day Trips from Tokyo in Winter

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