Autumn in Japan is one of the best times to visit Japan as travelers get a chance to enjoy the vibrant foliage and more comfortable temperatures. For Kanazawa (and the greater Hokuriku region) autumn colors typical peak between mid-October and mid-to-late November.
Kanazawa and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of fall destinations for photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and those just looking to enjoy the beauty of the season in Japan.
Planning an autumn trip to Central Japan? Here's a guide to our favorite destinations to see fall foliage near Kanazawa:
1) Kenrokuen Garden
Best viewing time: November - December
Ideal for: Garden lovers, peaceful walks, historical charm
Few gardens in Japan are as revered as Kenrokuen, the jewel of Kanazawa. This sprawling garden is a slice of paradise, originally built for the lords of Kanazawa private enjoyment. Kenrokuen is hailed as one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan" and it's easy to see why: each stone is carefully placed, each pine meticulously cropped and each tree given the utmost care to preserve its image.
When autumn rolls in, the garden explodes into colour. Some trees, like both the red and black Japanese pine, keep their color all year round. Others, like the cedar, zelkova and maple trees turn a million shades of yellows, oranges and reds. If you are lucky, you may be able to see October cherry blossoms - a rarity in Japan!
Starting in mid-October, the garden hosts daily free-entry illuminations, lighting up the trees from below. Once the sun sets, the illuminations give a magical change in perspective to the leaves contrasted beautifully against the night sky. There are also a range of food vendors, sweet stalls and some small games along the entrance to the park.
For More Information: see Kenrokuen Garden.
For a Guided Tour of Kenrokuen join our 1-Day Guided Glamor of the Geisha tour. This sightseeing tour will take you around some of Kanazawa's best sights, including in-and-around Kenrokuen. You'll also walk through the lord's villa located inside the garden itself. Make the most of the sights while they last with this delightful tour.
2) Kanazawa Castle Park and Oyama Shrine
Best viewing time: end Oct – early Dec
Ideal for: Relaxing views, quiet walks, tea lovers
A short walk from Kenrokuen is Kanazawa Castle Park where the reconstructed castle acts as a stunning backdrop for the vivid colors of the leaves. This area was once one of the grandest castle grounds in Japan and it really shows.
The highlight of this area is Gyokusen-inmaru Garden, once the home of the wife of Kanazawa's second lord. It's now converted into a teahouse where you can sit, drink traditional matcha, eat seasonal sweets and take in the beautifully-preserved 400-year-old garden.
A few minutes away is Oyama Shrine. Kanazawa's main shrine, the grounds include a well-maintained garden where the trees are reflected beautifully in a small pond. You can walk out over the pond on walkways which is an excellent opportunity for some great pictures. The shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of Kanazawa, and the statue of him cuts a powerful figure against the backdrop of the burning leaves.
If all of this sounds like something up your alley, then why not consider a guided tour around all of these sites on our guided tour of Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha? You'll see all of this and more, completing a circuit of the city that hits up all of its main attractions. This tour is particularly enjoyable in the cool autumn air, allowing participants to take in the breath-taking views Kanazawa has to offer.
3) Nomura Samurai Family Residence
4) Kurando Terashima's House
Best viewing time: end Oct – early Dec
Ideal for: History buffs, tea lovers, quiet spots.
The former house of Kurando Terashima is one of Kanazawa's most hidden gems. Once owned by a upper-middle class samurai, the house has been converted into a small museum dedicated to the man's life before he was sent into exile for defying the lord in the 1830s. Terashima was called "The Tiger at the Gate" for speaking harshly to the lord in the aftermath of a political scandal but, before that, was highly valued in the local government as a mathematician and talented painter and musician.
Just a stone's throw from Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District, Terashima's house is perfectly placed to stop in and appreciate the phenomenal garden. Should you wish to do so, you can also sit and enjoy some matcha tea in the former samurai's tea ceremony room. Looking out at the garden from there is really something else.
5) Natadera
Best viewing time: mid Nov – early Dec
Best viewing time: end Oct – early Dec
Ideal for: Temple lovers, garden walks, quiet spaces, art connoisseurs
Natadera Temple is a sprawling complex around 30km south of Kanazawa that has been known as a place of scenic splendor for more than 1000 years. Founded in 717, the temple is a must-visit for those looking to get the ultimate spread of autumn leaves. The garden has rock formations, ancient stone staircases, ponds filled with brightly-coloured koi and serene viewing platforms to get the best possible viewing experience.
The temple also hosts an event called the NAKED Night Walk where visitors, fully clothed, can walk in the illuminated gardens. The event also includes light-based art installations which can be interacted with. Walking through the gardens gives a unique and fresh perspective and a new appreciation for the natural beauty there.
6) White Road
Best viewing time: Mid Oct - Nov 10
Ideal for: Scenic drives, serious hikers
The Hakusan-Shirakawa-Go White Road is a 33km driving route through some of Japan's most scenic mountains, littered with viewing platforms and hiking trails. Along the way, you'll be able to see panoramic views across the mountaintops all the way down to the bottom of the valleys, where small emerald-colored streams flow. Along the way is an ocean of trees in vivid reds, oranges and yellows. It all comes together to form an unforgettable memory of one of the world's most scenic drives.
The route from Kanazawa starts in the foothills of the mountain Hakusan and emerges at the historic World Heritage Site Shirakawa-Go, itself famous for its fall foliage, before looping and driving back along the route to give viewers a second-chance at any spots they'd missed.
7) Metasequoia Tree Line
Best viewing time: End Nov
Ideal for: Scenic drives
The Metasequoia Tree Line is a bit off the beaten path for visitors to Kanazawa, but it's well-known among locals as one of the best places to get a
The temple also hosts an event called the NAKED Night Walk where visitors, fully clothed, can walk in the illuminated gardens. The event also includes light-based art installations which can be interacted with. Walking through the gardens gives a unique and fresh perspective and a new appreciation for the natural beauty there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to see autumn leaves near Kanazawa?
Kanazawa is in a slightly colder region compared to most of Japan, so the leaves begin changing in early-mid October. Further south parts of the region change slightly later, up to late November. We recommend first week of November to get the best of the views.
Are there any good day trips from Kanazawa to see the autumn leaves?
Absolutely! We have tours heading to the thatched-roof villages Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama. The villages, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are particularly picturesque in the autumn months and the drive between them is a great opportunity to see the mountains in their best season.
Leaving from Kanazawa is also our guided tour to Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen. Take a ride on a trolley-train through the mountain valleys and see all the sights along the way. When finished, take a walk through the beautiful onsen town of Unazuki and enjoy the footbaths.
Do colours peak at the same time in all areas around Kanazawa?
Not necessarily. As the region stretches quite far north-to-south, warmer temperatures in the south can keep the leaves green for longer. There are also local legends in Kanazawa that the leaves in Kenrokuen bloom a day or two earlier than the rest. The best time is in the first two weeks of November to get the best spread!
What should I wear or bring for a comfortable autumn foliage trip in the area?
Wear layered clothing, including a light jacket or sweater, as temperatures can vary throughout the day. In November, temperatures tend to hover near 17°C in the daytime, cooling down to around 8°C at night. An umbrella is also recommended as the region receives moderate rainfall in November, averaging around 87 mm for the month. And as always, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and possibly a thermos or snacks are also recommended.
Can I visit off the beaten path locations for autumn leaves near Kanazawa?
Looking for a private tour or charter to any of the locations listed in this article? We've got you covered.
PRIVATE CHARTERS
We offer customizable charters for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups up to 45 people. Relax with door-to-door service to any destination listed here. Click the button below to browse some of our popular charters and to inquire directly.
PRIVATE TOURS
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Final Tips for Visiting in Autumn
- Book accommodation and tours in advance—fall is a peak travel season.
- Bring layers! Temperatures can shift quickly, especially in mountainous areas.
- Kanazawa is known for sudden bursts of rain, so don't forget to bring your umbrella or a raincoat!
