Dotted with high mountains, the northern Hokkaido region is the first in Hokkaido to experience the autumn foliage season! Here are 10 recommended spots in the northern Hokkaido region for a drive or a weekend getaway to enjoy the autumn colors early.

Best time to see autumn leaves in northern Hokkaido: Around September 13th to mid-October (as of September 5th)

Asahidake, Hokkaido's highest mountain at 2,291m above sea level, has been selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains and is known as the place in Japan where autumn leaves arrive earliest. The best viewing starts in the Sugatami area from mid- to late September, moving day by day to Asahidake Onsen. Many tourists come from all over to see the magnificent colors that spread across Daisetsuzan National Park.

Ginsendai on Mount Akadake, one of the famous autumn foliage spots in the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range, is popular as the earliest spot in Japan to see the autumn leaves. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the green of conifers and the red and yellow of broadleaf trees overlapping in multiple layers. It is also the starting point for climbing Mount Akadake, attracting many climbers, and Sounkyo Onsen at the base is the perfect place to relax and refresh after viewing the autumn leaves.

Sounkyo, a popular autumn spot in Hokkaido, is known as the earliest place in Japan to see the beautiful autumn leaves. The mountains dyed red and yellow look like something out of a painting. The dynamic scenery and autumn leaves you can look down on while swaying in the ropeway gondola are also captivating.

Needless to say, this mysterious pond, with its blue water surface, is one of Biei's most famous tourist spots. The lake's surface changes to various shades of blue depending on the season and weather, and the dead larch trees create a fantastical landscape. In summer, the contrast between the fresh greenery and the pond is beautiful, but in autumn, the golden color of the autumn leaves shining through the lake's surface is a breathtaking sight.

Akaiwa Seigankyo, a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves located within the village natural park, is captivating with its unique landscape of red and blue giant rocks. During the autumn foliage season from late September to early October, the maple leaves turn red and yellow, further enhancing their beauty. It is also a popular spot for rafting and rock climbing, where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery while experiencing nature.

Boasting the largest man-made lake in Japan, the lake is home to 13 islands of various sizes. It is also known for being home to the rare and largest freshwater fish in Japan, the huchen, and attracts many visitors during the season. Camping is popular in the summer, and smelt fishing in the winter, but in autumn the surrounding trees turn yellow and are reflected on the lake's surface, creating a beautiful sight.

Meaning "village of the gods" in the Ainu language, this scenic spot features strangely shaped rocks and bizarre stones stretching for about 10km along the rapids of the Ishikari River. You can enjoy the ever-changing scenery, with cherry blossoms blooming in the spring, greenery in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snow in the winter. The dark green and black rocks in the valley are called Kamuikotan stones, and near the suspension bridge you can find the Kamuikotan Cave Group, which was formed by the flow of the river over many years.

Located directly below the main peak of Mount Tokachi in Daisetsuzan National Park, this is a fantastic spot for viewing autumn leaves, with a view of the vast foothills. You can enjoy the colors of various species, mainly the Japanese stone pine and white birch. The autumn leaves and snowfields just after the first snowfall (first snowfall), which only occurs a few days a year, are a rare and spectacular sight that can only be seen if you time it right.

This is the perfect spot to enjoy Yubari's abundant nature. The valley, formed by the erosion of the Yubari River, is filled with strangely shaped rocks and countless waterfalls, large and small, allowing you to enjoy the power of nature and the spectacular scenery. It shows different faces with each season, and is known as one of the most famous spots in Hokkaido for its autumn foliage, which can be enjoyed together with Ryusenkyo Gorge and Chidorigataki Falls in autumn.

This observation deck is located near the fifth station of Nissho Pass. In autumn, you can see the majestic Tokachi Plain and the town of Shimizu, which are colored red and yellow, and in the distance you can also see the Daisetsu Mountain Range and the Akan mountain range. In addition to the beauty of the autumn leaves, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the natural scenery that unfolds below you.

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