The Eastern Hokkaido area, known for its magnificent nature like Shiretoko and the Kushiro Wetlands, is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery that can only be seen in the fall! Here are our top 10 recommended spots for autumn leaves in Eastern Hokkaido, plus one bonus location, perfect for a drive or a weekend getaway.

Peak Viewing Season in Eastern Hokkaido: Around October 11th to late October (as of September 5th)

Iwanaisenkyo Gorge offers beautiful stream scenery amidst magnificent nature. It is especially beautiful in the fall with its autumn colors, and the view of the stream from the suspension bridge is breathtaking. The "Iwanaisenkyo Momiji Matsuri" (Maple Festival) is held every year in mid-October. The festival features local gourmet food and agricultural products, making it a popular spot to enjoy the autumn of Tokachi and its foliage.

Mikuni Pass is the highest mountain pass in Hokkaido. It is a scenic spot with views of distant mountains and a vast sea of trees below. The beautiful Matsumi Bridge, which seems to float in the sky amidst the sea of trees, is a popular autumn destination for many visitors. There is also an observatory with an adjacent cafe, so you can take your time and enjoy the view.

A caldera lake located within Akan-Mashu National Park. The view of Mt. Oakan rising on the eastern shore is magnificent, and the lake shows beautiful expressions in every season, including the autumn foliage that surrounds it. It is also famous for being home to the globally rare Special Natural Monument, "Marimo of Lake Akan," and one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring resorts stretches along its southern shore.

Located near the Akan Onsen town, this is the headstream of the Akan River, where abundant water from Lake Akan and Lake Taro flows as a waterfall. The bridge was named Takimi Bridge (Waterfall Viewing Bridge) because you can watch the waterfall from it. The clear stream flowing between the vibrant red and yellow autumn leaves is as beautiful as a garden.

This pass with its beautiful, expansive scenery is located on the border of Rausu and Shari towns on the Shiretoko Crossing Road, which traverses the World Heritage site of Shiretoko. From the winding road, you can enjoy the beautiful mountains in autumn colors and the primeval forest of trees such as Mizunara oak and Sakhalin fir. On a clear day, you can even see Kunashiri Island.

Kinsenkyo is a gorge on the Shokotsu River that flows through the town. From the footpath along both banks of the river, you can see alpine plants, various trees, and wild birds throughout the seasons: fresh greenery reflected in the clear stream in spring, cool shade in summer, and autumn foliage in fall. It is also known as an ideal spot for bird watching.

An artificial dam lake completed in 1956. At Lake Nukabira, where you can enjoy nature observation throughout the seasons, it is gaining attention as an outdoor spot where you can fish for cherry salmon and rainbow trout in the summer, and smelt on the frozen lake surface in the winter. The autumn foliage season is also popular, with yellow-colored trees reflecting on the lake's surface.

Oshinkoshin Falls is also known as "Soubi no Taki" (Twin Beauties Waterfall) because the stream splits into two midway. It is a popular spot selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan." You can climb stairs to the middle height of the waterfall and see the powerful flow so close that you can feel the spray. In autumn, the area around the waterfall is colored with autumn leaves, further enhancing its beauty.

This is the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park and, at an altitude of 810 meters, it is the highest lake in Hokkaido. It is surrounded by a primeval forest of Sakhalin fir, Yezo spruce, and Erman's birch, which changes its appearance with the seasons and enhances the beauty of the lake. Mt. Tenbo to the east of the lake is called Mt. Kuchibiru (Lip Mountain) because of its shape and the reflection it casts on the lake's surface, making it a symbol of Lake Shikaribetsu.

This garden is open to the public for a limited time only once a year, for about a month from mid-September to mid-October. The planted trees and the surrounding natural forest are in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful garden colored with autumn leaves. It is a spot where you can look forward to the different expressions of the autumn foliage each year.

A popular spot in Eastern Hokkaido during the autumn foliage season. In the fall, a part of Lake Notoro is covered with crimson coral grass, offering a different kind of charm from the autumn leaves. A wooden boardwalk is installed, allowing you to walk into the middle of the sprawling coral grass. A festival is also held in mid-September when the color is at its most vibrant red.

*All information is current as of September 2025.
*Please note that all information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.

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