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Kanzawa’s Kenroku-en backyard is probably the #1 single vacation spot that exemplifies how central the change of seasons is to Japan’s magnificence. I’ve met many locals who completely insist that it’s essential to go to it in spring, winter, summer season and autumn.
It’s a problem I took to coronary heart, and one I really feel is related not solely to Kanazawa metropolis as a complete, however to the encircling Hokuriku area. The truth is, I’m now of the assumption that Hokuriku is without doubt one of the finest locations in all of Japan to benefit from the autumn season.
Over the subsequent a number of paragraphs, I’ll clarify not solely why to go to Hokuriku in autumn, however the place you must go and the right way to make your journey occur. I hope you’ll give me just a few extra minutes of your time!
Hokuriku’s Autumn is Underrated
My first expertise with the Hokuriku autumn was inadvertent—and incomplete. After my 2015 journey to the Japanese Alps, I ended up in Kanazawa on the best way again to Tokyo (sure, I tousled my navigation a bit). It was a miserably wet day; the leaves right here weren’t at their peak. However it planted a seed that’s nonetheless bearing fruit to today, even when it took me till my 2019 autumn journey to start digging deep into this area within the fall.
Since that journey, which noticed me focus totally on Kanazawa-proper, I’ve come again many instances, every peeling off one other layer and feeling much more enchanted. And whether or not that was venturing into Toyama’s Kurobe Gorge in 2022, or Eihei-ji and Nata-dera temples (in Fukui and Ishikawa, respectively) in 2025, I’ve come to the identical conclusion: Hokuriku in autumn (and generally) is a treasure hidden in plan sight.
The place to Go in Hokuriku in Autumn
Kenroku-en backyard and Kanazawa Fortress, Kanazawa
Kenroku-en backyard, a well-known native saying states, is a spot you must see in all 4 seasons—and autumn is without doubt one of the finest. Throughout the road, Kanazawa Fortress is just not one among Japan’s “authentic” ones, however remains to be price seeing in fall in the event you occur to be in Kanazawa anyway.
Nata-dera temple, Komatsu
The following entry on my Hokuriku autumn itinerary can also be in Ishikawa prefecture, particularly Komatsu metropolis. I’m speaking, in fact, about Nata-dera, a temple that’s forgettable in different instances of the 12 months, however is spectacular in autumn. Be certain to return comparatively early within the day to make sure the lighting remains to be good.
Kurobe Gorge, Toyama
Touring in Hokuriku in early or mid-November? Whereas leaves in coastal cities will nonetheless be fairly inexperienced, venturing into Kurobe Gorge simply inland from Toyama is a good way to make sure you can see vibrant crimson and yellows. Observe that the native practice that takes you into the gorge is open-air, so I’d recommend bundling up.
Eihei-ji temple, Fukui
One other comparatively early vacation spot to get pleasure from autumn in Hokuriku is Eihei-ji temple in Fukui—leaves right here are inclined to peak round November 15, particularly. It’s straightforward to get right here on a day journey from any of the cities alongside the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, and even from Kyoto when you’ve got a rental automotive.
Obama-cho, Fukui
Rounding out our record is a second vacation spot in Fukui-ken, particularly the underrated city of Obama. It’s fairly low-lying, which suggests peak shade normally occurs nearer to December 1 than November 1. Nonetheless, if you may get the timing proper, it’s one among my favourite locations to get pleasure from autumn within the Hokuriku-chihou.
Hokuriku is Superb Anytime of the 12 months
As I foreshadowed just a few paragraphs up, it’s not correct to say that Hokuriku is just superb in autumn. The truth is, a few of my favourite Japan journey experiences all year long are right here:
- In case you are available spring, Kanazawa Fortress (regardless of not being “authentic”) is a incredible sakura spot, as is the so-called “Spring Quartet” as Asahi Funakawa in Toyama.
- In summer season, in the meantime, irises bloom in Kenroku-en backyard, and lengthy daytime given you probably the most flexibility to take a ship journey onto the Sotomo coast in Obama, Fukui.
- The dangerous information? Snow is more and more uncommon in Kanazawa and Toyama (rain, sadly, is extra widespread) though I’ve seen it in each. The excellent news? Heading even barely larger in elevation will increase your probabilities of seeing some.
Different FAQ About Hokuriku in Autumn
What to do in Kanazawa in autumn?
In case you go to Kanazawa in autumn, I like to recommend beginning at Kanazawa Fortress after which heading from there to close by Kenroku-en backyard. Stroll from there over the Asano River into the Higashi-chaya Geisha district, and contemplate making day journeys to Kurobe Gorge (in Toyama) or Eihei-ji temple (in Fukui).
Is October a very good time to go to Kanazawa?
October is mostly a very good time to go to Kanazawa, by way of climate and crowds. Do take into accout, nonetheless, that it’s a lot too early for autumn colours. In most years, they don’t attain their peak till mid- and even late November; crimson and yellow leaves can usually keep on timber effectively into December.
Does it snow in Toyama in November?
It is rather unlikely that snow will fall in Toyama metropolis in November. With this being mentioned, the possibility of snow will increase drastically the additional into the mountains you journey, with it being virtually assured alongside the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (to the extent that it closes to regular for the 12 months previous November 15).
The Backside Line
I can’t advocate extremely sufficient that you simply go to Hokuriku in autumn, whether or not that’s in 2026 or one other 12 months, and irrespective of the place within the area you discover. Amongst its many charms is the truth that Hokuriku gives each city autumn experiences (resembling these within the cities of Kanazawa and Toyama) and rural ones (resembling these on the Noto Peninsula and at Kurobe Gorge), to say nothing of how adjustments in elevation imply you could get pleasure from vibrant leaves from October right through to December. Want customized assist planning your autumn journey, irrespective of the place it finally ends up taking you? Think about commissioning a customized Japan itinerary at the moment!
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