It’s no secret, if you’ve been reading this site for any length of time, that I love the Japanese Alps. From Matsumoto to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and from the hottest day of summer to the deepest snow of winter, Japan’s mountainous central reaches are central to my enjoyment of the country.
That last point—the extent to which the Alps’ amazingness is evergreen—is salient to today’s article, even if “evergreen” might be an ironic term in the context of it.
I’ll be writing, if you haven’t ascertained it already, about the Japanese Alps in autumn. It’s a season that’s as diverse as the destination, which sees perhaps the longest peak color duration of anywhere in the country.
Autumn in the Japanese Alps Lasts for Months
One of my favorite parts of the Japan Alps autumn? Unlike in most of Japan’s cities, where you have a few weeks (at most) to enjoy peak colors, you can enjoy the fall aesthetic over the course of literal months. Mosses and shrubs atop the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Toyama and Nagano can start changing in September, while leaves on trees in Matsumoto and Takayama can linger well into December.
Now, if you’ve got your heart set on seeing the most vibrant maples or ginkgoes in a particular city or destination, you’ll still need to plan your trip precisely. However, if you’re open about where and what you see, then as long as you’re in the Alps during the ostensible autumn season (to be safe, between about October 15 and November 15), you will be very satisfied with what you see everywhere you go.
Where to Go in the Japanese Alps in Autumn
Nagano and Matsumoto
I’ll be honest: As much as I love seeing maples and ginkgoes within the center of Alpine cities like Nagano and Matsumoto, this isn’t really where the magic of autumn in Nagano prefecture resides. Rather, it’s in rural areas, be that the Kamikochi Valley or Hakuba, both of which turn much earlier than the cities, usually in mid-October.
The Nakasendo
Alternatively, another spot to add to your Japanese Alps autumn itinerary that’s also easily accessible from Matsumoto is The Nakasendo. Now, I’ll tell you straight away that many of the trees here are evergreen, which means that the autumn colors aren’t as dramatic as you’d expect. Still, whether you take a day trip to Narai or Yabuhara, or stay multiple days and hike the whole route, you won’t leave disappointed.
Takayama
It won’t come as a shock for most of you to learn that Takayama is amazing in autumn; I’ve only been writing about this fact for a decade. Do keep in mind, however, that the Takayama Autumn Festival (the cognate to the fabulous spring one) occurs in early October when leaves (which actually tend to peak in mid- or even late November these days) are likely to be completely green. Note that I highly recommend an excursion to nearby Gero Onsen, especially in fall!
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
As a general rule, the higher in elevation you go up into the Japan Alps in autumn, the earlier leaves reach their peak. However, if I’m honest, I find that Shirakawa-go and Gokayama tend to be more or less in line with Takayama’s timing, even though they’re a bit higher. This is good, in some sense: You can make a good estimate of what conditions will be in these Gassho villages based on what they’re doing in Takayama.
Off-the-beaten-path Alpine destinations
I’ll be honest: While I’ve explored the Japanese Alps more extensively than most people, I haven’t gone as far off the beaten path as I’d like, especially not in autumn. With this being said, I’m pleased with what I have seen, be that the so-called Monet’s Pond near the city of Seki, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or Gujo-Hachiman, a town whose castle (which is not “original”) is nonetheless the oldest of all Japan’s modern replicas.
The Japanese Alps in Other Seasons
I love visiting the Japanese Alps throughout the year, even if I’m especially jazzed about autumn as I write this. Here’s how to make the most of them during other months:
- Spring features some of Japan’s most underrated sakura displays, with my personal favorite being the ones that add color and texture to the Takayama Spring Festival.
- Summer is the best time for hiking in the Japanese Alps, whether in the Chuo Alps, at Kamikochi or along the Nakasendo Way.
- Winter is unsurprisingly snowy, but is one of my favorite times to explore, especially (though not exclusively) in Shirakawa-go and with the “snow monkeys” near Nagano.
Other FAQ About the Japanese Alps in Autumn
Is Hakuba worth visiting in autumn?
Habuka is at its most beautiful during autumn, in my opinion, though I say that as someone who doesn’t ski. If I did, I’d probably be more a fan of how it is in the winter, when it is of course significantly more popular than it is at any other time of the year.
When to visit the Japanese Alps?
The Japanese Alps are fabulous in any season, with excellent skiing amid the deep snow of winter, interesting cherry blossom vistas during spring and comparatively cooler weather in the summer. They’re also fabulous in autumn, when they feature one of the longest season anywhere in Japan.
Is it worth visiting Takayama in autumn?
Takayama is absolutely worth visiting in autumn, although I warn you: It is crowded. Additionally, in spite of its high elevation, Takayama can see autumn leaves peak surprisingly late for the Japanese Alps, with certain years not seeing the best colors until mid- or even late November.
The Bottom Line
The Japanese Alps in autumn are a revelation, even when considering how brightly they shine in other seasons. For starters, the season is long, from the first patches of color along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in September, to leaves that linger on maple and ginkgo trees in Takayama and Matsumoto well into December. Likewise, you can choose in which context you want to enjoy the season, be that hyper-traditional settings like Shirakawa-go or the Nakasendo, or larger cities like Nagano and Gujo-Hachiman. Need personalized help putting your autumn adventure in the Japanese Alps together? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
