Autumn Leaves in Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes: November 2026 Guide
When the autumn colours usually peak in Hakone and at Lake Kawaguchiko, the 2026 Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, ryokan stays and travelling with luggage.
When the autumn colours peak
November is autumn leaves (koyo) season in Hakone and around the Fuji Five Lakes, two mountain areas within a few hours of Tokyo. In 2026 the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival at Lake Kawaguchiko runs from Saturday 7 to Sunday 29 November, with the maple trees lit up in the evenings.
In Hakone, timing depends on altitude. The higher areas around Sengokuhara and Lake Ashi usually colour first, from early to mid-November. Mid-level areas such as Gora and Miyanoshita follow, and the lower valley around Hakone-Yumoto often peaks in late November or even early December. This makes Hakone forgiving: if you arrive a little early or late, some part of it is usually at its best.
Around Lake Kawaguchiko the maples tend to peak in mid-to-late November. Forecasts shift every year with temperatures, so check the latest Japanese koyo forecasts in the days before you travel rather than relying on a fixed date.
The Momiji Corridor and Fuji views
The centre of the Kawaguchiko festival is the Momiji Corridor on the northern shore of the lake, a short stretch of path under large maple trees. During the festival there are food and craft stalls, and the trees are illuminated after sunset. Entry to the corridor is free.
The north shore is also where many of the classic views of Mount Fuji across the water are found. Clear, cold mornings in late autumn tend to give the best visibility, while clouds often build up later in the day. If seeing Fuji matters to you, plan at least one early morning by the lake.
Weekends and Japanese public holidays are much busier. In 2026, Tuesday 3 November (Culture Day) and Monday 23 November (Labour Thanksgiving Day) are holidays, so the weekend of 21–23 November is likely to be especially crowded in both areas.
Where to stay: ryokan and lakeside hotels
- Hakone onsen ryokan
- Traditional inns with hot-spring baths, tatami rooms and a set kaiseki dinner. Many have fixed dinner times and afternoon check-in, so plan your arrival accordingly. Some offer private baths that you can reserve.
- Gora and Sengokuhara
- Higher, quieter parts of Hakone that colour early in the season, with many ryokan and small museums nearby.
- Hakone-Yumoto
- The gateway town at the bottom of the valley, convenient for late-season colours and easy onward travel.
- Lake Kawaguchiko
- Hotels and ryokan on the lakeshore, several with Fuji views from the rooms or the baths. A good base for the festival and early-morning photos.
Getting there from Haneda or Narita with luggage
From Haneda Airport (HND) the drive takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to Hakone and about 1 hour 45 minutes to Lake Kawaguchiko. From Narita Airport (NRT) allow about 2 hours 30 minutes to either area. Holiday weekends can add time on the expressways and on Hakone’s winding mountain roads.
Trains and buses are excellent but involve changes, stairs and crowded carriages, which is hard with large suitcases. Japan’s luggage-forwarding services are another option if you can send bags ahead a day in advance. A private transfer takes you directly from the arrivals hall to your ryokan door, which helps after a long-haul flight, with children or with several suitcases. With HotelTaxi the price is agreed before you travel and the driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign; share your flight number when booking.
Many travellers combine both areas. Hakone and Kawaguchiko are not far apart by road, so a transfer from one to the other avoids several changes on public transport.
Practical checklist
Book your ryokan early
November weekends sell out first; weekdays are calmer and easier to book.
Check the koyo forecast
Look at the latest forecasts a few days before you go and choose Hakone areas by altitude.
Plan your airport transfer
Haneda is closer to both areas; from Narita allow about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Pack layers
Days can be mild, but mornings and evenings in the mountains are cold, especially for the evening illuminations.
Respect onsen etiquette
Wash before entering the bath and check the ryokan’s policy on tattoos before booking.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival in 2026?
It runs from 7 to 29 November 2026 at the Momiji Corridor on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. The maples are illuminated in the evenings, and entry is free.
When do the autumn leaves peak in Hakone?
Usually from early to mid-November in higher areas such as Sengokuhara and Lake Ashi, and in late November to early December around Hakone-Yumoto. Exact timing varies each year.
How long is the drive from Haneda Airport to Hakone?
About 1 hour 30 minutes, and about 1 hour 45 minutes to Lake Kawaguchiko. From Narita Airport both take about 2 hours 30 minutes, with more time on holiday weekends.