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10 Recommended Autumn Foliage Events in Hokkaido (2025 Update) | A Guide to Stunning Autumn Scenery, from Best Time to See the Leaves to Illuminations and Hot Springs
Hokkaido's autumn foliage season is a time when the region is enveloped in vast natural scenery. Various autumn foliage events are held across the country, vividly coloring the mountains, lakes, and hot spring towns. From nighttime illuminations and autumn foliage gondola rides to autumn cuisine and hot springs, it's perfect for family trips and couples' outings. We've compiled a list of 10 autumn foliage events to enjoy in Hokkaido in 2025.
- Enjoy the spectacular autumn foliage spots of Jozankei, Sapporo's inner sanctum "Jozankei Five Great Autumn Foliage Spots by Bus" (Sapporo City)
- "Miracle Illumination 7" - A collaboration between autumn leaves and digital art at Sounkyo Onsen (Kamikawa Town)
- Nakajima Park's ginkgo trees and Japanese gardens are lit up at the "Nakajima Park Autumn Leaves Illumination Event" (Sapporo City)
- Enjoy the spectacular view of autumn leaves from the gondola at the Jozankei Highlands Sapporo International Ski Resort Autumn Festival - Autumn Foliage Gondola and Autumn Taste Festival (Sapporo City)
- Hakodate's famous autumn foliage spot takes on a fantastic atmosphere at the "Hakodate MOMI-G Festa" (Hakodate City)
- Illuminated autumn leaves reflected on the water surface at "Hokuto Autumn Leaves Corridor 2024" (Hokuto City)
- Enjoy autumn-themed kochia and dahlias at the Taki Autumn Leaves Festival (Sapporo)
- Enjoy the flavors of autumn while surrounded by autumn leaves at the "Mikasa Katsurazawa Maple Festival 2025" (Mikasa City)
- "Momiji Village - Evening Building Light-up" light-up event held at Hokkaido Historical Village (Sapporo)
- Relax in a hot spring after viewing the autumn leaves at the 54th Kamifurano Tokachidake Autumn Foliage Festival (Kamifurano Town)
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Enjoy the spectacular autumn foliage spots of Jozankei, Sapporo's inner sanctum "Jozankei Five Great Autumn Foliage Spots by Bus" (Sapporo City)
Buses run to the five major autumn foliage areas in Jozankei, one of Sapporo's most famous autumn foliage spots. At each of these locations, which have been selected as spectacular autumn foliage spots, you can enjoy the autumn leaves in different situations and with different activities. There are also guided tour buses, so even first-time visitors to Jozankei can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.
■Dates: Wednesday, October 1st to Friday, October 31st, 2025 *Operation period, operating hours, and fares vary depending on the destination. ■ Reception and boarding point: Jozankei Tourist Information Center (212 Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo) Click here for details and maps for "Jozankei Five Great Autumn Foliage Tour by Bus"
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Sounkyo Onsen's autumn leaves and digital art collaboration "Miracle Illumination 8th" (Kamikawa Town)
This popular light-up event takes place at the foot of Mount Daisetsu, the mountain that sees the earliest autumn foliage in Japan. It makes the vibrant autumn foliage of Sounkyo Onsen's Momijidani even more beautiful and fantastical. In addition to the illumination of the leaves, which turn vibrant reds and yellows, you can also enjoy digital art that moves in sync with pedestrian movement.
■Dates and times: September 14th (Sun) - October 13th (Mon), 2025, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (last entrance 8:30 PM) ■Price: Admission ticket 1,000 yen ■Venue: Daisetsuzan National Park, Sounkyo Onsen, Momijidani, Sounkyo Shopping Street (Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun) For details and maps of "Miracle Illumination 8th" please click here
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Nakajima Park's ginkgo trees and Japanese gardens are lit up at the "Nakajima Park Autumn Leaves Illumination Event" (Sapporo City)
Five areas in Nakajima Park, including the ginkgo tree-lined streets and the Japanese garden, will be fantastically lit up. The illuminations in the Japanese garden, which requires an admission fee, have been upgraded this year, allowing you to enjoy an even more special atmosphere with sound and light effects. There will also be a Geisha Cafe run by the Sapporo Meiko Ren, and a pumpkin sweets fair perfect for autumn.
■Dates and times: Friday, October 24th, 2025 to Monday, November 3rd, 2025, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM ■Admission: Free *Japanese garden only: 500 yen ■ Venue: Nakajima Park (1 Nakajima Park, Chuo Ward, Sapporo) For details and maps about the Nakajima Park Autumn Leaves Illumination Event, please click here.
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Enjoy the spectacular view of autumn leaves from the gondola at the Jozankei Highlands Sapporo International Ski Resort Autumn Festival - Autumn Foliage Gondola and Autumn Taste Festival (Sapporo City)
This autumn festival is held at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, one of the "Five Great Autumn Foliage Views of Jozankei." The gondolas used for winter skiing are transformed into "Autumn Leaves Gondolas," which take you to the summit, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Ishikari Bay and Otaru Port. The view from the gondola, as well as the view from the summit, is simply breathtaking. In addition, the "Autumn Taste Festival" is held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, with gourmet food stalls and food trucks.
■Dates and times: October 1st (Wed) - 19th (Sun), 2025, 9:30-15:30 (last upbound boarding at 15:00) *Food stalls and food trucks are only available on weekends and holidays. ■Fee: Round trip Momiji Gondola: Junior high school students and above: 1,500 yen / 65 years and older: 1,300 yen / Elementary school students: 800 yen / Preschool children: Free ■ Venue: Sapporo International Ski Resort (937 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo) For more information and maps on the Jozankei Highlands Sapporo International Ski Resort Autumn Festival - Autumn Foliage Gondola and Autumn Taste Festival, please click here.
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Hakodate's famous autumn foliage spot takes on a fantastic atmosphere at the "Hakodate MOMI-G Festa" (Hakodate City)
This light-up event takes place at Kosetsuen Garden in Miharashi Park, Hakodate's premier spot for viewing autumn leaves. The approximately 100-meter-long row of maple trees is lit up every day, creating a magical atmosphere. The vast grounds are home to approximately 150 species of trees, including mountain maples and Japanese maples, which also change color.
■Dates and times: Friday, October 17th, 2025 to Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Illumination time: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM ■ Venue: Kosetsuen Garden in Miharashi Park (56 Miharashicho, Hakodate City) For more information and maps about the Hakodate MOMI-G Festa, please click here.
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Illuminated autumn leaves reflected on the water surface at "Hokuto Autumn Leaves Corridor 2025" (Hokuto City)
Hachironuma Park in Hokuto City, which boasts a vast area of 11 hectares, lights up maples, azaleas, cherry blossoms, and other trees. The illuminated autumn leaves are reflected on the surface of Hachironuma Pond like a mirror, creating a fantastical sight. While the park is beautiful during the day, the illuminated night view is a must-see.
■Dates and times: Friday, October 17th, 2025 to Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Illumination time: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM ■ Reception and boarding point: Hachironuma Park (132 Mukono, Hokuto City) For more information and maps on "Hokuto Autumn Leaves Corridor 2025," please click here.
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Enjoy autumn-themed kochia and dahlias at the Taki Autumn Leaves Festival (Sapporo)
This event is all about the colorful autumn leaves. The scenery in each zone of the park is different, with bright red kochia, gorgeous dahlias, and the maple road covered in a carpet of autumn leaves, so you'll see something new every time you visit. There are also autumn leaf-themed events and guided exhibition tours, so you can enjoy them at your leisure while strolling around.
■Dates and times: Saturday, October 4th to Sunday, October 26th, 2025, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ■Price: Admission fee: 450 yen for those 15 years old and over / 210 yen for those 65 years old and over / Free for those under 5 years old ■ Venue: Takino Suzuran Hillside Park, various locations within the park (247 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo) For more information and maps about the Takino Autumn Leaves Festival, click here.
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Enjoy the flavors of autumn while surrounded by autumn leaves at the "Mikasa Katsurazawa Maple Festival 2025" (Mikasa City)
This event allows you to enjoy the flavors of autumn along with the vibrant autumn leaves. Food trucks from all over Hokkaido will be gathering, offering a wide variety of gourmet dishes perfect for the autumn appetite, including mushroom soup and salt-grilled Yamabe trout. The event will be held at Family Land Mikasa Amusement Park, where you can also enjoy go-karts, battery cars, a jumbo slide, and more, making it a great place for a family outing.
■Date and time: Scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025 ■ Venue: Family Land Mikasa Amusement Park (57 Nishikatsurazawa, Mikasa City) For details and maps of the "Mikasa Katsurazawa Momiji Festival 2025", please click here.
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"Momiji Village - Evening Building Light-up" light-up event held at Hokkaido Historical Village (Sapporo)
This annual autumn event takes place in the Hokkaido Historical Village, which is bathed in autumn leaves. The buildings in the town and fishing villages within the village will be lit up with lights, creating a different scenery than during the day. There will also be a corner where you can write messages on lanterns, Masakari pumpkin soup, and a food truck selling Japanese sweets.
■Dates and times: Saturday, October 11th to Monday, October 13th, 2025, 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM (last admission at 6:45 PM) *Masakari pumpkin soup is served from 5:00 p.m. ■Admission fee: 700 yen for adults / Free for those aged 65 and over and junior high school students and younger ■ Venue: Historical Village of Hokkaido (50-1 Onoporo, Atsubetsu-cho, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) For details and maps on "Momiji Village - Evening Building Light-up" please click here
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Relax in a hot spring after viewing the autumn leaves at the 54th Kamifurano Tokachidake Autumn Foliage Festival (Kamifurano Town)
The Tokachi Mountain Range is the first in Hokkaido to see the autumn foliage. At the opening event, you can enjoy the autumn leaves along with gourmet food and raffles. There is also a stamp rally for the three hot springs, and gifts are available at each hot spring on a first-come, first-served basis.
■Dates and times: Saturday, October 4th to Friday, October 10th, 2025, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM *Opening event: Saturday, October 4th ■ Opening event venue: Fukiage Onsen Recreation Center Shiroganeso (Fukiage Onsen, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun) For details and maps of the 54th Kamifurano Tokachidake Autumn Foliage Festival, please click here.
*All information is current as of the time of publication in September 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.