Fuji Five Lakes Autumn Leaves 2026: Kawaguchiko Peak Forecast, Spots and Buses

Lake Kawaguchiko's autumn leaves are forecast to peak from about 17 November 2026 along the lakeside around the Momiji Corridor, and the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival and its light-up run from 7 to 29 November. (Sources: Weathernews forecast as of 3 September; Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation notice. Both checked on 2 October 2026.)

On 2 October the Japan Weather Association's tenki.jp still listed both the Kawaguchiko lakeside (Momiji Corridor) and Koyodai as green. Around the Fuji Five Lakes, colour starts in high places such as the passes and reaches the lakeside maples last. This page uses only the forecasts of three weather companies and official pages.

The 2026 forecast: what three forecasters say

Japan Meteorological Corporation's press release has no date for Kawaguchiko itself.

Peak forecast by spot (earliest first)

The dated forecasts are Weathernews's as of 3 September. Private cars cannot drive up to the FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace at Shindo Pass; you change to a dedicated bus at the Suzuran colony car park (tenki.jp).

Momiji Corridor (north shore) and the festival

According to the Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation, the Momiji Corridor lines both banks of the Nashi River with about 150 maples; it is free and open at all hours. The Yamanashi Tourism Organization (as of 28 September) says colour starts in late October, peaks in early to mid-November, and fallen leaves carpet the path from mid- to late November.

The Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival runs from Saturday 7 November to Sunday 29 November 2026, with the corridor lit from sunset to 21:00 (Tourism Federation notice posted 10 July). The prefecture's tourism site says 21:30, so go by the organiser. Event details are in the official notice (Japanese); for night-time foliage across Japan, see our sister site Japan-Event's autumn leaves illuminations guide.

Getting there: from Kawaguchiko Station, take the Red Line sightseeing bus to the Kubota Itchiku Museum stop (21 minutes, 440 yen) and walk 5 minutes. By car it is about 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC; use the nearby car parks.

Oishi Park: red kokia in October

Oishi Park on the north shore is free and always open, with parking for 100+ cars. The Yamanashi Tourism Organization says its kokia bushes turn deep red in mid-to-late October and that the park is about 10 minutes by car from the Momiji Corridor. By bus, get off the Red Line at Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center, right next to the park (27 minutes from the station, 570 yen).

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba: thatched houses in autumn colour

This village of restored thatched-roof houses was rebuilt on the basis of the Nenba hamlet, which was lost to a typhoon disaster in 1966. On clear days you can see Mt Fuji and the thatched roofs together (Tourism Federation). From March to November it opens 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); admission is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for elementary and junior-high students, and parking is free (official site). It is 40 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station on the Green Line (Saiko sightseeing bus).

Lake Yamanaka: festival from 30 October

According to the Yamanakako Tourism Association, the Yuyake-no-Nagisa Autumn Leaves Festival runs for 17 days, from Friday 30 October to Sunday 15 November 2026, at Asahigaoka Lakeside Green Park, with the lakeside path lit up. The association lists the light-up daily from 16:30 to 20:30 (lights switch off automatically at 20:30), the same as in 2025. Weathernews expects Lake Yamanaka to peak from about 10 November with leaves falling from about 20 November, so the second half of the festival is the likely overlap.

Koyodai and Lake Motosu: the Blue Line

The Blue Line (Narusawa, Shojiko and Motosuko sightseeing bus) leaves Kawaguchiko Station five times a day (9:35, 10:35, 11:35, 13:35 and 15:35). It reaches the Koyodai-iriguchi stop in 27 minutes and the Motosuko Tourist Information stop in 60 minutes; the last bus back from Koyodai-iriguchi leaves at 17:06.

From Tokyo, and bus times

• Fuji Excursion limited express: four round trips a day between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko, plus one extra round trip in some periods. Departures from Shinjuku at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30; the last train back leaves Kawaguchiko at 17:41. Shinjuku–Kawaguchiko costs 4,200 yen (2,580 yen base fare plus 1,620 yen limited express ticket) (Fujikyu Railway, timetable from 14 March 2026).
• Sightseeing buses: Red Line every 15 minutes from the station, 9:00–17:45; the last bus from the Kubota Itchiku Museum stop to the station leaves at 18:32.
• Unlimited rides: the sightseeing bus pass costs 1,500 yen for one day and 2,000 yen for two days for adults (Fujikyu Bus).

On a day trip you can see the first part of the light-up and return by Fujikyu local train to Otsuki (last departure from Kawaguchiko 22:10; check the JR connection there); to stay until 21:00, spend the night by the lake.

Choose by week (2026 forecasts)

• Early to late October: high places such as Shindo Pass, and the Fuji Subaru Line. Oishi Park's kokia turn red in mid-to-late October.
• 30 October to early November: the Lake Yamanaka festival opens. Hananomiyako Park from about 9 November, Lake Yamanaka about 10 November, Lake Motosu about 11 November.
• About 14–20 November: Koyodai (about 14 November) and the Kawaguchiko lakeside (about 17 November) reach their peak before leaves start falling at Lake Yamanaka (about 20 November). If you can make only one trip, make it this week.
• Late November: the season of fallen leaves on the Momiji Corridor. The festival runs until 29 November.

Avoiding the crowds

The Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation expects heavy traffic on weekends and holidays from late October to mid-November, with visitors concentrated between about 10:00 and 16:00, and recommends weekdays, early mornings or evenings.

If your inn has a bath, read onsen etiquette for first-timers and ryokan etiquette. For nationwide planning, see Japan-Event's 2026 autumn foliage planning guide.

FAQ

Q. When do the autumn leaves peak at Lake Kawaguchiko in 2026? A. Weathernews (as of 3 September) forecasts the Kawaguchiko lakeside to peak from about 17 November, with leaves falling from about 30 November. tenki.jp forecasts early to late November and listed the trees as green on 2 October. The town gives the usual peak as late October to mid-November; Weathernews's usual window for this spot is mid- to late November.

Q. When are the 2026 Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival and light-up? A. From Saturday 7 to Sunday 29 November 2026, with the Momiji Corridor lit from sunset to 21:00 (Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation notice, checked 2 October).

Q. How do I get to the Momiji Corridor without a car? A. From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Red Line sightseeing bus to the Kubota Itchiku Museum stop and walk 5 minutes. It is 21 minutes and 440 yen from the station, with buses every 15 minutes. A 1 Day Pass is 1,500 yen for adults (Fujikyu Bus, checked 2 October).

Q. Can I see the light-up on a day trip from Tokyo? A. Partly. Lights come on at sunset (around 16:30). The last Red Line bus from the Kubota Itchiku Museum stop leaves at 18:32 and the last Fuji Excursion leaves Kawaguchiko at 17:41, but Fujikyu local trains run from Kawaguchiko to Otsuki until 22:10, where you change to the JR Chuo Line (check the connection). To stay until 21:00, spend the night by the lake.

Q. Is there anywhere around the Fuji Five Lakes to see autumn colour in October? A. Yes. Shindo Pass (FUJIYAMA Twin Terrace) is forecast for early to late October (tenki.jp), and the Fuji Subaru Line usually peaks from mid-October to early November (Weathernews). Oishi Park's kokia turn red in mid-to-late October (Yamanashi Tourism Organization).

Sources (checked 2 October 2026)

• Forecasts: Japan Meteorological Corporation, 2026 forecast, 2nd release; Weathernews, 2026 forecast of 3 September, Yamanashi spots, Kawaguchiko lakeside, Lake Yamanaka, Koyodai; Japan Weather Association tenki.jp, Kawaguchiko lakeside (Momiji Corridor), Yamanashi (all in Japanese)
• Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation: Autumn Leaves Festival 2026, Momiji Corridor, Oishi Park, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, transport guide
• Venues and transport: Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, hours and admission; Fujikyu Bus, sightseeing buses and fare tables (PDF); Fujikyu Railway, Fuji Excursion
• Yamanashi and Lake Yamanaka: Yamanashi Tourism Organization, Momiji Corridor and Yamanakako festival (2025 edition); Yamanakako Tourism Association, Yuyake-no-Nagisa Autumn Leaves Festival

Update log: 2026-10-02 written from the forecasts of three weather companies (including Japan Meteorological Corporation's 2nd forecast of 1 October) and the official pages listed above.

Update log: 2026-10-03 — after independent verification: Yamanakako light-up hours (now announced), the day-trip return by Fujikyu local train, and the usual-peak comparison corrected.