Every November, Japan's maples turn from green to gold to a deep, almost unreal crimson, and towns across the country throw a momiji matsuri — an autumn leaf festival — to celebrate. Kyoto gets most of the attention (and most of the crowds), but some of the most rewarding foliage festivals are elsewhere: a gorge in rural Aichi lit by 4,000 maples, a lakeshore tunnel of red leaves facing Mount Fuji, a sacred island valley, and three National Treasure temples in Shiga that most visitors have never heard of.
Here are seven festivals and light-ups to plan around in November 2026, roughly in the order their colors peak — plus practical tips on timing, transport and crowds.
How to time it: autumn colors move from north to south and from mountains to lowlands. For the places below, the best window is usually mid- to late November. Festival periods are fixed in advance, but the leaves are not — check each venue's foliage report (most post weekly koyo updates) a few days before you go.
1. Lake Kawaguchiko: the Momiji Corridor facing Mount Fuji (from November 7)
The Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival centers on the Momiji Corridor, a short stretch of the lake's north shore where a canopy of old maples arches over a stream. On a clear morning you get red leaves and a snow-capped Fuji in the same frame; after dark the corridor is lit up, and food and craft stalls line the path.
- Access: highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station (about 2 hours), then the Retro Bus (Red Line) toward the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum area.
- Tip: Fuji is most often visible early in the morning. Come at sunrise for the mountain, then return after dark for the light-up.
2. Kenrokuen, Kanazawa: autumn light-up and the first snow ropes (from November 7)
Kanazawa's seasonal Shiki Monogatari evening program opens Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park after dark, with maples around Kasumigaike Pond and the Yamazaki-yama hill glowing under lights. November is also when gardeners begin installing yukitsuri — the conical rope supports that protect the pines from heavy snow — so you see autumn and winter preparations at the same time.
- Access: 15–20 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station (Kenrokuen-shita stop).
- Tip: evening admission to the garden during light-up periods has traditionally been free; combine it with a walk through the Higashi Chaya district before dinner.
3. Korankei, Aichi: 4,000 maples in a mountain gorge (November 1–30)
Korankei in Asuke, on the eastern edge of Toyota City, is the Tokai region's most famous foliage spot. The story goes that in the 1630s a priest of Kojakuji temple planted maples along the approach path; today about 4,000 trees fill the Tomoe River valley. The Momiji Matsuri runs through November, with nightly illumination from dusk. The view of the red Taigetsukyo bridge reflected in the river is the classic photo.
- Access: Meitetsu bus from Higashi-Okazaki or Toyotashi Station (about 40–70 minutes depending on traffic).
- Tip: weekend traffic jams on the roads into Asuke are notorious — a weekday visit, or arriving before 9:00, makes a huge difference. Don't miss the old merchant houses of the Asuke post town and freshly grilled gohei-mochi.
4. Nagatoro, Saitama: river gorge, rock terraces and an evening park (from November 1)
An easy day trip from Tokyo, Nagatoro on the Arakawa River pairs foliage with geology: the flat rock shelves of Iwadatami line the riverbank, and traditional wooden boats ride the rapids beneath red hillsides. During the Momiji Matsuri, the riverside Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park is lit up in the evenings, and the approach to Hodosan Shrine is another quiet spot for leaves.
- Access: Seibu Railway from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu, transfer to the Chichibu Railway at Ohanabatake, and ride to Nagatoro Station (about 2–2.5 hours total).
- Tip: the river boats are most beautiful in mid-November; dress warmly — the gorge is cold once the sun drops.
5. Narita-san Park, Chiba: maples by the temple, minutes from the airport (from November 14)
The Narita-san Park Momiji Matsuri takes place in the large garden behind Naritasan Shinshoji, where maples ring the park's ponds. It is the perfect first-day or last-day stop for travelers flying in or out of Narita: you can walk the Omotesando street of eel restaurants, pay respects at the temple, and see peak foliage in a couple of hours.
- Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR or Keisei Narita Station; about 10 minutes by train from the airport.
- Tip: check for koto and shakuhachi performances and tea ceremonies scheduled in the park on festival weekends.
6. Miyajima, Hiroshima: Momijidani Park light-up (from mid-November)
The island that gave Japan the maple-leaf-shaped momiji manju cake naturally has a maple valley. Momijidani Park, a short walk uphill from Itsukushima Shrine, follows a stream lined with maples and stone lanterns, and is lit up on autumn evenings. Stay overnight on the island to enjoy it after the day-trippers leave.
- Access: JR or Hiroden tram to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry. The Miyajima Ropeway starts from the top of Momijidani.
- Tip: check the tide table — at low tide you can walk out to the great torii; at high tide the shrine appears to float.
7. Konan Sanzan, Shiga: three National Treasure temples (from November 18)
In the hills south of Lake Biwa, three Tendai temples — Zensuiji, Jorakuji and Chojuji — each have a main hall designated a National Treasure, and together they are known as the Konan Sanzan. In late November the temples hold a joint foliage tour with evening light-ups, special openings of their Buddhist images and far fewer crowds than Kyoto, which is only about 45 minutes away.
- Access: JR Kusatsu Line to Kosei or Ishibe Station; on event days shuttle buses have linked the three temples (check the latest schedule).
- Tip: start at Zensuiji in the afternoon and end with one of the light-ups.
Practical tips for leaf-peeping season
- Weekdays win. Every spot on this list is calm on a Tuesday and packed on a Saturday in peak week.
- Layer up. Evening light-ups in late November can drop below 5°C, especially in gorges and mountain areas.
- Use public transport. Parking at Korankei, Kawaguchiko and Nagatoro fills up early on weekends.
- Check the live calendar. Each place page on MatsuriMap shows its current events, so you can see what else is on during your visit.
Image: Autumn leaves at Korankei by Bariston, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
