Nikko Autumn Leaves (Irohazaka & Lake Chuzenji) 2026 Confirmed

日光の紅葉(いろは坂・中禅寺湖・奥日光) — Nikko, Tochigi (Kanto)

Nikko in autumn is really three shows in one: the hairpin Irohazaka road climbing through walls of color, Lake Chuzenji ringed in red at 1,269 meters, and the Oku-Nikko highlands beyond. Because the color descends with elevation, the broad window runs mid-October to early November — Oku-Nikko turns first from early October, while the temple town below stays colorful into mid-November. Rinnoji Temple's Shoyoen garden is illuminated at night from late October to mid-November, adding an evening act to the day's scenery.

Background

Nikko has been a sacred mountain site for over a millennium and holds the lavish Toshogu Shrine, mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and part of a UNESCO World Heritage complex. The Irohazaka road takes its name from the old Japanese syllabary — one syllable per hairpin curve.

Getting there

Take the Tobu Railway from Asakusa in Tokyo to Tobu-Nikko Station (about two hours; limited express recommended), then a Tobu bus up the Irohazaka switchbacks to Chuzenji Onsen. On peak weekends Irohazaka suffers severe traffic jams — buses included — so build in buffer time or travel on a weekday.

Tips

• Irohazaka gridlock is legendary on peak weekends: catch the first buses of the morning from Tobu-Nikko Station or go midweek.
• Use the elevation to your advantage — if the lakeside has passed peak, the town and temple area below will just be hitting it, and vice versa.
• Kegon Falls, where Lake Chuzenji plunges 97 meters, frames waterfall and foliage in one shot; the paid elevator to the base viewing platform is worth it.
• A Tobu Nikko Pass bundles the round trip from Tokyo with area buses and beats buying tickets piecemeal for a foliage itinerary.

Last verified against the official source: Mon, July 6, 2026