One of the pleasures of autumn travel is touring the autumn foliage. Hokkaido is where you can see the autumn colors slightly earlier than the main island of Honshu, typically from September to early November. You can see a variety of autumn foliage, including the earliest fall colors in Japan, urban foliage, and vast colors spread across magnificent nature. This time, we would like to introduce some famous autumn leaf spots in Hokkaido.

※This text is an English translation of the original Japanese document, produced using Google Gemini.

1. Sounkyo / Asahidake Area
2. Hakodate / Onuma Park
3. Niseko Region
4. Around Sapporo
5. Eastern Hokkaido Region (Higashi Hokkaido)

1：Sounkyo / Asahidake Area

Sounkyo/Asahidake, located in the Taisetsuzan mountain range, which includes Mount Asahidake (Hokkaido’s highest peak), is known as the location for “the earliest autumn leaves in Japan.” Sounkyo has the “Sounkyo Ropeway,” and Asahidake has the “Asahidake Ropeway,” both of which allow you to easily reach famous autumn foliage spots.

Also recommended for those who wish to enjoy both hiking and autumn leaf viewing are Ginsendai and Kogen-numa (Kogen Onsen), which are about 30 minutes by car from Sounkyo. For both of these spots, the best time for autumn colors is from mid to late September.

You can also enjoy the autumn foliage in Sounkyo Onsen from late September to October.

2：Hakodate / Onuma Park

Hakodate and Onuma Park, located in the southern part of Hokkaido (Dōnan), are dotted with famous autumn foliage spots. A representative spot is Kosetsu-en Garden, a Place of Scenic Beauty that is the only nationally designated cultural property garden in Hokkaido. Trees like Japanese maple (momiji), maple (kaede), and ginkgo (ichō) display beautiful autumn colors, and you can also enjoy the illuminated foliage at night. Hakodate Park and Goryokaku Park are also popular as famous autumn leaf spots within Hakodate City. The best time to see the colors is from late October to early November.

Also, about 30 minutes by JR Limited Express train from Hakodate, Onuma Park is one of the most famous autumn foliage spots in Hokkaido. The charm lies in the contrast between the autumn leaves spread along the shore of Lake Onuma and the lake itself. The best time to see the colors here is from mid to late October.

3：Niseko Region

Niseko is known for its powder snow, attracting skiers from all over the world in winter. Before the snow falls in Niseko, typically from mid to late October, the Niseko mountains turn a brilliant red.

Famous spots include Shinsennuma, a highland marsh located at an altitude of 750 meters, and the Niseko Panorama Line, a road that runs from Niseko through Shinsennuma to Iwanai Town along the Sea of Japan coast. Furthermore, the autumn rural landscapes spread around Niseko are also a scene unique to Hokkaido during this time of year.

4：Around Sapporo

Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido. This green, lush city is also known for its beautiful autumn foliage.

Among these spots, the Jozankei Onsen area, located at the foot of the mountains in Sapporo, reaches its peak viewing season around mid-October.

Especially further into Jozankei Onsen, the Jozankei Dam features a magnificent and spectacular display of autumn leaves.

Furthermore, within Sapporo city itself, beautiful autumn foliage spreads across areas like Nakajima Park and the Hokkaido University campus from late October to early November, making them perfect for a stroll.

5：Eastern Hokkaido Region (Higashi Hokkaido)

Eastern Hokkaido (Higashi Hokkaido), a region rich in nature on the east side of Hokkaido, has several scattered highlights for autumn foliage viewing.

Fukuhara Sanso, a famous spot for autumn leaves in Shikaoi Town, northeast of the Tokachi region, is open to the public only during the autumn foliage season. Furthermore, Lake Shikaribetsu (Shikaribetsuko), which sits at the highest elevation in Hokkaido at 810 meters in the north of Shikaoi Town, offers autumn leaves relatively early, from early to mid-October.

Further east from Tokachi, Lake Akan and Lake Kussharo are also famous spots where beautiful autumn foliage spreads out. Lake Akan is particularly recommended, as you can board a sightseeing boat and view the spectacular autumn colors from the water. The World Natural Heritage site, Shiretoko, also offers beautiful autumn views. The peak viewing time is typically mid-October every year.

Above, we have introduced our recommended autumn foliage spots in Hokkaido. What did you think?

Compared to the autumn leaves on the main island of Honshu, which peak in November, Hokkaido’s foliage can be seen as early as September. If you are planning to travel Japan during this period and want to enjoy beautiful autumn colors, please consider visiting Hokkaido!

※This text is an English translation of the original Japanese document, produced using Google Gemini.