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Hokkaido, I typically inform potential purchasers once they ask me about visiting the island, shouldn’t be actually Japan. I don’t imply this in a foul method, I clarify, noting how comparatively little conventional structure Japan’s nice, white north has, by no means thoughts how devoid of tradition it largely is. Which is smart, what with it being a wilderness.
If I’m trustworthy, I nonetheless contemplate Hokkaido to be one thing separate from the remainder of Japan, even after what’s (I imagine) my sixth journey there. Or possibly my seventh.
However, as you’ll see scrolling by way of my Hokkaido autumn itinerary, the island is arguably at its most interesting when it’s decked out in hues of blazing pink, orange and yellow.
Hokkaido in Autumn: Why I Saved the Finest for Final
I’d be mendacity if I stated that my determination to go to Hokkaido first in winter, then in summer time, then in spring and eventually in autumn was by design. It simply form of occurred that method! I knew that winter needed to be first, maintaining in thoughts what I stated about Hokkaido being Japan’s nice, white north. Summer time? Nicely, my July 2018 passed off largely as a result of I used to be dwelling in Thailand at the moment, and there was a loopy advertising marketing campaign there RE: Furano’s lavender.
Once I undertook what was then (and nonetheless is) my most exhaustive sakura season journey in 2021, once I was dwelling in Kyoto, it made sense to finish them in Hokkaido—why would I’ve adopted the cherry blossom entrance all the best way throughout Japan, solely to not see it by way of to its completion? Autumn (though it might comply with a second winter journey) was all that remained at this level. And I’m blissful to say that I undoubtedly saved the most effective for final.
The Finest Locations to See Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido
Noboribetsu
The excellent news? Even when you merely comply with the indicators to Jigokudani (aka Hell Valley) after getting off the bus in Noboribetsu Onsen (which is about quarter-hour away from JR Noboribetsu Station), you’ll be impressed by the autumn colours on provide right here. The higher information? When you proceed mountain climbing up and over to Onyuama Pond, you’ll see much more superb surroundings and foliage.
Jozankei Onsen
One other superb onsen city to go to throughout your journey to Hokkaido in autumn is Jozankei. Whereas the recent springs resorts themselves go away one thing to be desired, I do benefit from the views, be these of the city itself from Jozankei Bridge or from the riverbanks simply downstream from Futami Tsuribashi Bridge, which serves as a canvas for the autumn colours on the canyon behind it.
Shiretoko Peninsula
Jap Hokkaido is underrated usually, from the Ainu tradition on show close to the shores of Lake Akan, to Kushiro‘s delicacies and the assorted boat journeys you may take from Abashiri. Autumn, too, is superb right here. I like to recommend driving previous the cities of Shari and Utoro, whether or not throughout the peninsula for charming views of the Shiretoko Cross, or to the Shiretoko 5 Lakes, which is definitely one thing of a swamp.
Biei Blue Pond
For my part, one of many true highlights of a Hokkaido autumn journey is that this easy-to-miss water characteristic close to Asahikawa. I noticed “water characteristic” as a result of though it’s technically a part of the Biei River, the Shirogane Blue Pond is the results of artifical engineering works. It’s stunning in all seasons, however particularly throughout autumn, when colours blaze round it, in addition to above and beneath close by Shirahige Waterfall.
Daisetsuzan
Like many mountainous areas in Japan, it may be troublesome to say for certain the place Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park begins or ends. Personally, I’m an enormous fan of the components of it close to Mt. Biei, whether or not an alluring spectrum of maple and ash bushes blazes scarlet and golden beneath peaks which can be already lined in a number of inches of snow. That is in distinction to the hikeable parts close to the summit, the place it’s primarily floor cowl that takes on autumn shade.
When Do Autumn Leaves Attain Their Peak in Hokkaido?
Though autumn leaves in Japan are usually much less fickle than cherry blossoms, they’ve change into barely extra so within the period the place each summer time appears to be the “hottest on document.” Furthermore, the additional north you go in latitude and the upper up you go in altitude—in different phrases, the 2 issues Hokkaido is understood for—the much less predictable the koyo turns into.
An excellent primer, maintaining in thoughts that sure locations could also be simply earlier than or barely after peak viewing, is to method your Hokkaido autumn journey in a bifurcated method. If you wish to discover japanese Hokkaido (so, anyplace east of Asahikawa, whether or not the Blue Pond and Sounkyo Onsen, and even Lakes Mashu, Kussharo and Akan or the Shiretoko Peninsula, mid-to-late October is your greatest wager. West of Sapporo? It’s greatest to attend till early November.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hokkaido in Autumn
Is October a very good time to go to Hokkaido?
October is a superb time to go to Hokkaido, significantly when you can time your go to to coincide with the altering of the autumn leaves. Do have in mind the timing. Whereas early October sees peak or near-peak colours in Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, you’ll have to go later within the month when you plan to see colours in decrease elevations. Furthermore, when you plan to concentrate on locations west of Sapporo, early November is absolutely the optimum time to go to.
Which month is autumn in Hokkaido?
Autumn in Hokkaido begins in late September for meteorological functions, however when it comes to fall foliage, the reply is completely different. Leaves atop Daisetsuzan Mountain change from the top of September, whereas October sees altering colours transfer from east to west—first on the Shiretoko Peninsula, then in Sounkyo Onsen and eventually in and round Asahikawa. Onsen cities like Jozankei and Noboribetsu, to the west of Sapporo, are in the meantime at their greatest in early November.
Is Sapporo price visiting in autumn?
Sapporo’s metropolis middle is completely nice in autumn, significantly well-known foliage locations like Nakajima Park and Hokkaido College’s Ginkgo Avenue. Nonetheless, essentially the most stunning shows of leaves close to Sapporo are in additional rural areas, whether or not in onsen cities like Noboribetsu and Jozankei, or across the rims of volcanic lakes like Toya and Shikotsu.
The Backside Line
You don’t must comply with my Hokkaido autumn itinerary precisely with a view to expertise the identical magic I did—you don’t must comply with it in any respect. However I do encourage you to pay a go to to Hokkaido in October or November, if solely as a result of Japan’s nice, white north truly seems its greatest with a bit of shade on. Do take care to time your go to proper (October for japanese Hokkaido and the heights of Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park; November for anyplace west of Sapporo). And don’t really feel shy to rent to me to plan it for you: My customized Japan itinerary service takes all of the guesswork out of your subsequent journey, whether or not or not it consists of Hokkaido.
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