The autumn foliage in the central Hokkaido area, including Sapporo and Otaru, is easily accessible and can be enjoyed as part of a day trip or as part of a long trip! Here are 10 recommended spots to see the autumn foliage in the central Hokkaido area, which are easily accessible from the city center and perfect for a drive or weekend getaway.

Best time to see autumn leaves in central Hokkaido: Around October 11th to late October (as of September 6th)

Located about an hour's drive from Sapporo Station, this is an inner parlor. The hot spring town is surrounded by lush forests and valleys, and is dotted with beautiful bridges, attracting many tourists during the autumn foliage season. We also recommend taking a stroll from the bright red Futami Tsuribashi suspension bridge, a symbol of Jozankei Onsen town, to enjoy the autumn foliage.

A row of ginkgo trees on the campus of Hokkaido University. 50 meters north from Ono Pond, 70 ginkgo trees are lined up along Kita 13-jo Street for about 380 meters facing east. The bright green tunnel in summer changes to a warm golden color in autumn, pleasing the eyes of visitors.

Hoheikyo is one of Sapporo's leading leisure spots, overflowing with the beauty of a magnificent natural landscape created by the lake and greenery centered around Hoheikyo Dam, which is a flood control site for the Toyohira River. It is especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season, and has been selected by the Forestry Agency as one of the "100 Best Water Source Forests" and "100 Best Dam Lakes." Viewing the autumn leaves along with the spectacular tourist discharge of the dam is also recommended.

This is the remains of an explosion crater created by the eruption of Mt. Hiyoriyama. From here, 10,000 tons of various hot springs gush out every day, supplying hot water to the hotels and inns in the hot spring town. The bubbling and boiling water from the numerous springs and fumaroles along the valley is the origin of the name "Hell, where demons live." In autumn, Jigokudani, lit up red by the autumn leaves, is a must-see.

This is the central lake of Shikotsu-Toya National Park and the third largest caldera lake in Japan. Surrounded by a variety of trees, you can enjoy different views depending on your viewing position and the season. The four islands in the center of the lake are collectively called Nakajima, and the view of the Nakajima and the blue lake through the autumn leaves is magnificent.

Eniwa Valley is located on the Rarumanai River, a tributary of the Iragawa River. The area is equipped with various facilities such as waterfalls and parks. There are three unique waterfalls, Shiraougi Falls, Rarumanai Falls, and Sandan Falls, as well as the Eniwa Lake Freedom Square with its vast lawns and Sakura Park, which is beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn, which delight visitors.

Located on a hill in the northern district of Otaru City, this vast park covers an area of 19.7 hectares. There are about 230 chestnut trees in the park, which is said to be the northernmost natural forest. In spring, it is a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms and azaleas, and in autumn, it is also a popular place for walks and hiking to see the autumn leaves and pick chestnuts.

Located on a plateau more than 750m above sea level, it is a popular spot for hikers, with many lakes and marshes, including Shinsen-numa, known as the most beautiful and mysterious marsh in the Niseko mountain range. It is a natural marsh representative of Kyowa Town that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons, and is crowded with many visitors during the autumn foliage season.

It is an active volcano that straddles Kutchan Town and Rankoshi Town, and is one of the Niseko mountain range that includes Niseko Annupuri. In autumn, the contrast of red, yellow, and green leaves creates a spectacular autumn scenery. Along with the autumn leaves of Niseko Annupuri, it is popular with many people as a scenic spot.

The Horoman River originates in the Hidaka Mountains and flows into the Pacific Ocean. About 8km of the middle and lower reaches of the river are a natural valley that runs along the east side of the Apoi mountain range, called the Horoman Gorge. The valley is made of peridotite, and perhaps because of this, the river is a uniformly blue color, creating a beautiful landscape together with the mountainside covered in a mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest. In particular, the autumn foliage is beautiful, making it a famous spot known only to those in the know.

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