Hokkaido Autumn Leaves 2026: Forecast, Peak Dates by Spot and How to Get There

Hokkaido's autumn leaves in 2026 peak first on Daisetsuzan's high slopes from mid-September, reach Jozankei around October 17, and turn in central Sapporo around November 4, 7 days later than normal. (Sources: Weathernews forecast of September 3, 2026 and its spot pages, as read on 2026-10-02; Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast of October 1, 2026.)

As of October 2, leaves are falling around Sugatami Pond on Mt. Asahidake, the peak is over at Ginsendai, and on Mt. Kurodake the summit, 7th-station and 5th-station areas are listed as "over" while the base is at peak. The places at peak now are Sounkyo Onsen, the Asahidake onsen village, Mt. Tokachi (around Ryounkaku) and Lake Shikaribetsu. In Hokkaido the colour starts on the mountaintops and works its way down, reaching central Sapporo and Hakodate last, so decide how high and where you are going before you decide when. That is the simplest way not to miss it.

Everything on this page comes from three weather companies (Japan Meteorological Corporation, Weathernews and the Japan Weather Association's tenki.jp) and from the official sites of the people who run things on the ground: the ropeways, the electric bus, the tourist associations and the park offices. No review sites or aggregator blogs were used, and every figure is dated.

The 2026 forecast: what the three companies say (Japan Meteorological Corporation checked 2026-10-02, others 2026-09-23)

• "Peak" means different things. Weathernews defines peak as the period from the day about 70% of a spot has turned until the leaves start to fall. Japan Meteorological Corporation's date follows the Japan Meteorological Agency's sample-tree rule: the first day most of the tree's leaves have changed colour. So Weathernews giving late-October dates for Sapporo parks while Japan Meteorological Corporation puts Sapporo's maple date at November 4 is not a contradiction.
• Hokkaido's forecast is not for the classic Japanese maple. Japan Meteorological Corporation explains that the iroha maple grows poorly in Hokkaido, so here it forecasts yama-momiji, oo-momiji and itaya-kaede (painted maple) instead.
• In its second forecast (October 1), the same company puts Sapporo's maples 7 days behind normal, while maples across northern Japan run at about normal timing. Its next forecast is planned for early November.

Spot-by-spot forecast calendar (earliest first)

These are the peak dates Weathernews lists on its Hokkaido autumn-leaves page, with each spot's status on October 2, 2026 (read that day). The dates are Weathernews forecasts and are revised every few days. Check the Weathernews page for the latest dates before you go.

From Daisetsuzan's high slopes (mid-September) to the garden in Hakodate (November 4), the peak shifts a long way within one island. Roughly: mid-September to early October for Daisetsuzan, Mt. Tokachi, Lake Shikaribetsu and Niseko; early to mid-October for Hoheikyo, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Area, Jozankei and Lake Toya; late October to early November for Lake Shikotsu, Onuma, central Sapporo and Hakodate.

Daisetsuzan (Asahidake, Kurodake, Ginsendai, Sounkyo): peak has moved down to Sounkyo and the Asahidake onsen village

The Kurodake Ropeway's official site and the Sounkyo Tourist Association both call Daisetsuzan's colour "Japan's earliest autumn leaves". According to the tourist association, the area near the summits starts colouring around late August, then works its way down to Sounkyo Onsen, and in places lasts until mid-October.

Mt. Kurodake (Sounkyo side)

• The Kurodake Ropeway takes about 7 minutes from the base to the 5th station. Adults pay 3,000 yen return or 1,800 yen one way.
• Hours are 6:00 to 18:00 until September 30, 7:00 to 17:00 from October 1 to 15, and 8:00 to 16:00 from October 16 to November 8. The last car up leaves 40 minutes before closing, and the ropeway stops for maintenance from November 9 to 30.
• The operator's status on October 2 reads: summit area, 7th station and 5th station "over", base "at peak" (source: Kurodake Ropeway official site, checked October 2).

Mt. Asahidake (Higashikawa side)

• On the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway, the top-season fare (June 1 to October 31) is 3,500 yen return or 2,200 yen one way for adults, dropping to 2,800 yen return and 1,700 yen one way from November 1. The upper Sugatami Station stands at 1,600 m.
• The official site warns that in the foliage season the car parks near the base station fill up and cars queue on the road, and asks visitors to use the temporary car parks in the Asahidake area. It has also posted a change to the ropeway's running interval, so check the site before you set off (source: Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway official site).

Ginsendai and Takahara Onsen (car restrictions)

• The foliage-season restriction on private cars on the Ginsendai road ran from September 12 to 23, 2026, and ordinary vehicles have been allowed again since 16:30 on September 23. The road's winter closure may come early depending on the weather.
• The Takahara Onsen road's restriction ran September 19 to 30 and has ended. The Numa-meguri News No. 8 posted by the Sounkyo Tourist Association says there is no shuttle bus this year (source: Sounkyo Tourist Association).

Getting there: JR limited express from Sapporo to Asahikawa takes about 1 hour 25 minutes, then about 45 minutes on to Kamikawa. There is no railway from Kamikawa to Sounkyo; the Dohoku Bus takes about 35 minutes. A direct Dohoku Bus from Asahikawa Station to Sounkyo takes about 110 minutes (source: Sounkyo Tourist Association).

Brown bears: the Kurodake Ropeway's site links to a single site that collects brown bear information for Daisetsuzan. Check it before you walk any trail.

Jozankei (about an hour from Sapporo): the October favourite

The Jozankei Tourist Association puts the vivid colour down to the town's elevation of about 300 m, which gives a big gap between day and night temperatures, and to the clean river water. In October 2026, buses run from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center to its "five great foliage areas". Every one of them is booked and boarded at the information center.

Hoheikyo Dam

• Private cars cannot go beyond the car park (250 spaces); the last 2.0 km to the dam is by electric bus or on foot. The electric bus runs 8:45 to 16:00 (last bus up 15:30) until November 3.
• In the busy season from October 1 to November 3 the electric bus costs 1,200 yen return (700 yen one way) for adults; until September 30 it is 1,000 yen return (600 yen one way).
• By car it is about 60 minutes from JR Sapporo Station and about 15 minutes from Jozankei's onsen town (source: Hoheikyo Dam official site).

Going to the Futami Suspension Bridge? Construction notice

• The Jozankei Tourist Association says river works will run from September 24, 2026 to the end of March 2027 in Futami Park, a foliage spot near the onsen town, and along the Toyohira River bank. The work zone is closed, but you can still reach the Futami Suspension Bridge in the foliage season by a pedestrian detour, due to open on October 1 and closed in winter.

Getting there: Jotetsu Bus from JR Sapporo Station (south exit, Hokuren Building, stop 27) takes about 70 minutes; the direct Kappa Liner takes about 60 minutes (5 runs a day to Jozankei). From Makomanai subway station it is about 50 minutes. Get off at "Jozankei Jinja-mae" and the information center is right in front of you (source: Jozankei Tourist Association).

If you plan a day bath after the leaves, read onsen etiquette for your first time before you go, and if you have tattoos, Onsen with tattoos: can you go?.

Central Sapporo (Hokkaido University ginkgo, Nakajima Park): late October to early November

Hokkaido University's Ginkgo Avenue

• Seventy ginkgo trees line both sides of Kita-13-jo Street for about 380 m and usually turn gold from late October. It is about a 15-minute walk from the north exit of JR Sapporo Station (source: HOKKAIDO LOVE!, Hokkaido's official tourism site).
• Hokkaido University says visitors cannot drive onto campus for sightseeing (its 2024 notice on traffic during the ginkgo season).
• The Hokudai Konyousai (北大金葉祭) is held when the ginkgo avenue turns gold. Hokkaido University students have planned and run it since 2012, and the trees are lit up at night (source: the festival's official site). The 2026 (15th) festival runs on Saturday October 31, 10:00 to 21:00, and Sunday November 1, 10:00 to 20:00 (official site, checked October 2). Check the site before you go.

Nakajima Park's Japanese garden and Hasso-an

• Nakajima Park's Japanese garden opened in 1963. In one corner stands Hasso-an, a tea house said to be the work of the early Edo-period tea master Kobori Enshu and a National Important Cultural Property, moved here from Shiga Prefecture. The park also holds Hoheikan, built in 1880 by the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission) as a guest house and hotel, and likewise an Important Cultural Property. The nearest stations are Nakajima-koen and Horohira-bashi on the Namboku subway line (source: Nakajima Park official site). Before visiting a tea house, our tea ceremony etiquette guide covers what to do at a tea sitting.
• Odori Park also hosts an autumn food festival. Dates and details are on our sister site: Sapporo Autumn Fest (Japan-Event).

Lakes (Onuma and Shikotsu): late October

Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae)

• 126 islands of all sizes sit in lakes Onuma and Konuma, and five walking trails link several of them by bridges. The park plaza entrance, where the sightseeing boats leave, is a 5-minute walk from JR Onuma-Koen Station (source: the Onuma park guide "Marugoto Onuma").
• The island-hopping sightseeing boat takes about 30 minutes and costs 1,460 yen for adults and 730 yen for children. It runs on a fixed timetable from May 1 to October 31, with 12 sailings a day between 9:00 and 16:20, and irregularly in November (source: Onuma Godo Yusen, the boat operator).
• Forecast peak: October 27 (Weathernews, read October 2).

Lake Shikotsu (Chitose)

• The Lake Shikotsu underwater sightseeing boat circles the east side of the lake in about 30 minutes, for 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for elementary pupils. First departure is 9:00; the last is 16:00 from October 1 to 15 and 15:30 from October 16 to November 3 (source: Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Boat official site).
• Route buses (Hokkaido Chuo Bus) take about 55 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Shikotsuko Onsen and about 45 minutes from JR Chitose Station (source: the boat operator's access page).
• Forecast peak: October 22 (Weathernews, read October 2).

Pick by the week you travel: planning 2026

• Late September to early October: Daisetsuzan (Asahidake, Kurodake), Mt. Tokachi, Lake Shikaribetsu, Niseko, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Area (Weathernews forecasts October 10; the autumn-leaves gondola runs October 1 to 20). The Kurodake Ropeway shortens its hours to 7:00 to 17:00 from October 1, so plan around a morning car.
• Mid-October: Jozankei, Hoheikyo Dam, Lake Toya. The Momiji Kappa Bus runs October 1 to 21 and the Hoheikyo Dam Liner October 3 to 25.
• Late October to early November: Lake Shikotsu, Onuma, Nakajima Park, the Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue, Hakodate. Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast (October 1) puts Sapporo at November 4, and its next forecast is planned for early November, so check it before you book a room.

For seasonal experiences outside Hokkaido, or a cultural experience to pair with the leaves, start from the best cultural experiences in Japan.

FAQ

Q. When do Hokkaido's autumn leaves peak in 2026? A. Daisetsuzan's high slopes peak from mid-September. As of October 2 the Sugatami Pond area, Ginsendai and upper Mt. Kurodake are past their peak, and Sounkyo Onsen, the Asahidake onsen village, Mt. Tokachi (around Ryounkaku) and Lake Shikaribetsu are at peak. Jozankei Onsen is forecast for around October 17 and Onuma Park for around October 27 (Weathernews, as read on 2026-10-02), and Sapporo's maple date for around November 4, 7 days later than normal (Japan Meteorological Corporation, second forecast of 2026-10-01).

Q. Where can I see autumn leaves on a day trip from Sapporo? A. Jozankei. The direct Jotetsu "Kappa Liner" bus takes about 60 minutes from JR Sapporo Station. From October 1 to 21 the Momiji Kappa Bus leaves the Jozankei Tourist Information Center (700 yen per seat). Hoheikyo Dam is reached from its car park by electric bus (1,200 yen return for adults from October 1 to November 3) (Jozankei Tourist Association and Hoheikyo Dam official sites; checked 2026-09-23).

Q. Can I drive to Daisetsuzan's autumn leaves? A. The private-car restriction on the Ginsendai road ran September 12 to 23, and ordinary vehicles have been allowed since 16:30 on September 23. The Takahara Onsen road's restriction ran September 19 to 30 and has ended. At Asahidake, cars can queue for the base car parks in the foliage season, and temporary car parks are signposted (Sounkyo Tourist Association and Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway official sites; checked 2026-10-02).

Q. When do the Hokkaido University ginkgo trees turn gold? A. Hokkaido's official tourism site says the trees usually turn gold from late October, and Weathernews forecasts a peak on October 31 (as read on 2026-10-02). The 2026 (15th) Hokudai Konyousai runs on Saturday October 31, 10:00 to 21:00, and Sunday November 1, 10:00 to 20:00 (official site, checked October 2). You cannot drive onto campus for sightseeing (checked 2026-10-02).

Q. Do the Onuma sightseeing boats run in the foliage season? A. Yes. The island-hopping cruise takes about 30 minutes and costs 1,460 yen for adults; it runs on a timetable from May 1 to October 31 and irregularly in November. Onuma Park's forecast peak is October 27 (Onuma Godo Yusen and Weathernews; checked 2026-10-02).

Q. Will construction stop me reaching the Futami Suspension Bridge in Jozankei? A. No. Works run in Futami Park and along the Toyohira River bank from September 24, 2026 to the end of March 2027, and the work zone is closed, but a pedestrian detour (due to open October 1) leads to the bridge (Jozankei Tourist Association; checked 2026-09-23).

Sources and update policy

All of the following official pages were read on 2026-09-23. The Weathernews spot page was read again on 2026-09-24 and its dates re-copied, and the other forecast and operator pages were reopened that day and found unchanged. On 2026-10-02, Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast, the Weathernews spot page, the Kurodake Ropeway site and the Hokudai Konyousai site were read again and their updates applied.

• Forecasts: Japan Meteorological Corporation, 2026 autumn-leaves forecast (2nd), Weathernews forecast (2026-09-03), Weathernews Hokkaido autumn-leaves spots, Japan Weather Association tenki.jp Hokkaido, tenki.jp on Kurodake's first colour (2026-09-02)
• Daisetsuzan: Kurodake Ropeway, Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway, Sounkyo Tourist Association: foliage-season car restrictions, Numa-meguri News No. 8, Sounkyo autumn leaves, Access to Sounkyo
• Jozankei: Jozankei Tourist Association: five foliage areas by bus, Futami Park construction notice, Hoheikyo Dam fares, Hoheikyo Dam access
• Sapporo: HOKKAIDO LOVE! Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue, Hokkaido University ginkgo-season traffic notice (2024), Hokudai Konyousai (official site), Nakajima Park sights, Nakajima Park (English)
• Lakes: Marugoto Onuma walking trails, Onuma Godo Yusen cruises, Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Boat, Lake Shikotsu boat fares

Forecast dates are revised by each company. This page was updated on 2026-10-02 for Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast (published 2026-10-01). When its next forecast (planned for early November) or tenki.jp's spot reports come out, this page will be updated at the same URL.

Update history: 2026-09-23 created from official sources; 2026-09-24 Weathernews spot forecast dates re-copied (10 dates had been revised); 2026-10-02 — applied Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast (Sapporo maples November 4, ginkgo November 3), Weathernews spot dates and status (read October 2), the Kurodake status and the 2026 Hokudai Konyousai dates; noted the end of the Takahara Onsen road restriction; removed the Nakajima Park tea gathering, which has taken place.