Jozankei Onsen Autumn Leaves — photo by t-konno via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Jozankei Onsen Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed
定山渓温泉の紅葉 — Sapporo, Hokkaido (Hokkaido)
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- Typical peak
- Thu, Oct 1 – Tue, Oct 20, 2026
- Venue
- Jozankei Onsen gorge, Sapporo
- Tickets
- The onsen town and the viewing spots are free to walk. During the season a shuttle, the Koyo Kappa Bus, links the spots for ¥700 a seat (same for adults and children) — in 2026 it runs Oct 1–21. Hoheikyo Dam and the Sapporo Kokusai ski resort ropeway charge separately.
- Official site
- jozankei.jp
Jozankei is Sapporo's backyard onsen town, tucked into a forested gorge just an hour from the city, and in autumn the whole valley turns red and gold around the steaming hot-spring hotels. Peak color runs from early to mid-October — one of the first big foliage shows in Japan you can reach without a hike. Seasonal sightseeing buses, the Kappa Bus and the Godai Koyo Bus, loop the five best viewpoints from October 1 through mid-to-late October, so you can cover the highlights even without a car.
Background
The hot springs here were developed in the 19th century by the Buddhist monk Miizumi Jozan, who gave the town its name. It grew into Sapporo's classic onsen retreat, and the kappa water sprite of local legend remains the town mascot, appearing in statues along the river.
Getting there
From Sapporo Station, take the direct Jotetsu bus (about 75 minutes) to Jozankei Onsen — the Kappa Liner express requires a seat reservation. In season, the free or low-cost foliage buses depart from within the onsen town, so a car is unnecessary; weekend road traffic from Sapporo can be heavy.
Tickets & tours for this event
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Tips
- Book the Kappa Liner bus from Sapporo in advance on peak October weekends — it sells out.
- The Futami Suspension Bridge over the gorge is the signature photo; go before 9am to shoot it without crowds.
- Pair the leaves with a day-use onsen — many hotels open their baths to non-staying visitors for around ¥800-1,500.
- The Godai Koyo (five great foliage spots) bus runs only from October 1 to mid-to-late October; outside that window you'll need a taxi or your own car to reach the outlying viewpoints.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to see Jozankei Onsen Autumn Leaves?
- Autumn color here usually peaks Oct 1 – Oct 20. Color depends on how cold the nights have been, and peak can land a week either side of the usual window, so check a foliage forecast about a week out.
Maintained by Tetsu Yamamoto · Last verified against the official source: Sun, September 13, 2026