Hokkaido Autumn Leaves 2026: Where and When to See Them by Car

Hokkaido gets Japan's autumn colours first, and it gets them from the top down. The red and gold start on the Daisetsuzan peaks in mid-September, reach the hot-spring valleys around Sapporo in mid to late October, and finish with the ginkgo trees in the city in early November. That long, staggered season is good news if you have a rental car: whenever you arrive between now and early November, somewhere within driving range is at its best. This guide covers where to go, the 2026 peak forecasts, and the dates, fares and road rules that changed this year. It was checked against official sources on 23 September 2026.

2026 at a glance: a little later than usual

Weathernews' first autumn-leaf forecast for 2026, published on 3 September, says that in Hokkaido the colours will peak later than normal or slightly later at most spots, because temperatures are expected to stay above normal from late September. Daisetsuzan was still forecast to peak in mid-September, and it did: the Asahidake Ropeway's own blog said on 17 September that the leaves around its 1,600 m top station were at their best.

In practice, this means: go to the mountains now, plan Jozankei and Lake Shikotsu for mid to late October, and keep early November for the parks and the ginkgo avenue in Sapporo.

Where and when: the comparison table

Peak dates below are Weathernews' 2026 forecasts as shown on its Hokkaido autumn-leaf page (Japanese) on 23 September 2026. Forecasts are updated as the season goes on, so treat them as a target week, not a fixed day. Driving times are only those given by an official or tourism-association source; where we could not find one, we say so.

Daisetsuzan: Asahidake and Sounkyo (now to early October)

Asahidake Ropeway

The ropeway lifts you about 10 minutes to Sugatami Station at 1,600 m, where a walking loop runs through alpine shrubs that turn red and orange. 2026 fares for 1 June to 31 October are ¥3,500 return for adults (¥2,200 one way) and ¥1,750 return for children (¥1,100 one way). Parking is ¥500 for a car. Operating hours change through the season (on 23 September the first car was at 6:00 and the last descent at 17:30), so check the official ropeway site on the day. The ropeway warns that mid-September weekends and holidays are very busy; a weekday or an early start is easier. The ropeway is scheduled to be suspended from 16 November to 10 December for maintenance.

Asahikawa is the nearest city and airport. From Sapporo, the official GoodDay Hokkaido chart gives 130 km and about 190 minutes to Asahikawa on ordinary roads; see our driving distances guide before you try it as a day trip.

Sounkyo: the gorge and the Illuminate light-up

Sounkyo is a hot-spring town in a gorge on Route 39, with waterfalls and cliffs that colour up a couple of weeks after the peaks above it. In the evenings, the Sounkyo Illuminate (its ninth year) lights the Momijidani valley with interactive, footstep-reactive lighting. For 2026 it runs 13 September to 12 October, every night, 18:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30). A conservation fee of ¥1,000 per person applied in 2025 and is reported again for 2026. In 2025 the Momijidani car park was not available during the event, and visitors were asked to use the Sounkyo Onsen public car park, about a 15-minute walk away; expect something similar and check the official Illuminate page (Japanese).

The Daisetsuzan mountain roads

The two dead-end roads that climb closest to the high colour have peak-season car restrictions. The Ginsendai road's restriction ran 12–23 September and ended at 16:30 on the 23rd. The Kogen Onsen road is restricted 19–30 September, and private cars need an advance booking. Then both close for winter: Ginsendai from 1 October, Kogen Onsen from 17:00 on 9 October, according to Kamikawa Town. The local authorities also warn that winter closures can come earlier than scheduled if the weather turns. Details are in our mountain pass closures guide.

Jozankei and the hills south-west of Sapporo (mid to late October)

Jozankei is a hot-spring town inside Sapporo's city limits, about 50 minutes by car from the centre along Route 230. It is the easiest leaf trip from Sapporo, and in October the Jozankei Tourist Association runs its "Five Great Autumn Leaves" buses. All leave from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center, and seats are sold on the day, first come, first served. Details: Jozankei Tourist Association (English).

• Koyo Kappa Bus (guided, about 70 minutes): 1–21 October, four departures a day (9:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15), ¥700 a seat for adults and children. A second Kappa Bus route to the Hakkenzan area runs on the same dates.
• Hoheikyo Dam Liner: 3–25 October, ¥1,000 return, plus the dam's electric bus.
• Koyo Gondola Liner to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort: 1–20 October, ¥3,000 return for adults (¥1,500 children), with the gondola extra.
• Kamui no Mori free shuttle: 1–31 October, not running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call 011-598-4050 from the information center to be picked up.

If you drive, the tourism association points to limited paid parking in the town, such as the Times Jozankei tourist car park. On October weekends that fills, so arriving early and taking one of the buses from the information center is the calmer option.

Futami Suspension Bridge: use the detour

The red Futami Suspension Bridge is Jozankei's classic leaf view. From 24 September 2026 to the end of March 2027, part of Futami Park and the riverbank is a construction site and closed to the public. You can still reach the bridge in the leaf season by a pedestrian detour that is due to open on 1 October (it closes in winter). Construction vehicles use the area from late September, so watch your step. Source: Jozankei Tourist Association notice of 18 September 2026 (Japanese).

Hoheikyo Dam

Private cars cannot drive to the dam itself. You park at the car park (250 spaces), then walk about 2 km or take the electric bus. In the 1 October to 3 November peak period the bus runs 8:45–16:00 (last bus up 15:30), ¥1,200 return for adults and ¥600 for elementary-school children (Hoheikyo Dam official site, Japanese). The dam is about 15 minutes by car beyond Jozankei.

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort: the autumn gondola

Continue on Route 230 past Jozankei and you reach the ski resort, which runs its gondola for the leaves every day from 1 to 20 October 2026, 9:30–15:30 (last ride up 15:00). Return fares are ¥1,500 for adults (junior-high age and up), ¥800 for elementary children and ¥1,300 for 65 and over. Parking is free. Payment is cash or PayPay only, so carry yen. On clear days the resort says you can see as far as the ports on the coast. Weekend food stalls are part of its autumn festival.

Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu and further afield (mid to late October)

Lake Shikotsu is a clear caldera lake about 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport, so it works well on the day you fly in or out. The 2026 forecast is around 24 October. Noboribetsu Jigokudani, the steaming volcanic valley above Noboribetsu Onsen, is forecast around 22 October; its "Onibi no Michi" footlights are lit from sunset to 21:30, free, every day. The car parks there are paid.

Onuma Park near Hakodate (forecast 26 October) fits our Sapporo to Hakodate road trip. Shiretoko Five Lakes (forecast 18 October) is far to the east; its elevated boardwalk (about 1.6 km return) is free and open regardless of bear activity, while the ground trails can close because of bears. For the east, fly to a regional airport and rent there.

Sapporo city: parks and the ginkgo avenue (late October to early November)

The city trees are last. Nakajima Park and Maruyama Park are forecast for 28 and 30 October, and the Hokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue, about 380 m and 70 trees, for 2 November. Do not drive to the university: general vehicles cannot enter the campus and there is no visitor parking. Walk about 15 minutes from JR Sapporo Station, or 4 minutes from Kita-12-jo subway station.

The university's evening ginkgo festival, Konyosai, usually lights up the avenue on a weekend in late October or early November. In 2025 it was held on 1–2 November. The 2026 dates were not announced as of 23 September 2026; check the festival's official site (Japanese) closer to the time.

What to wear

October in Sapporo averages 16.4 °C (62 °F) by day and 8.0 °C (46 °F) at night (JMA 1991–2020 normals). November drops to 8.7 °C (48 °F) and 1.6 °C (35 °F). Mountain stations such as the Asahidake top station at 1,600 m are much colder, and snow can arrive on the Daisetsuzan peaks from late September. Bring a windproof shell, a fleece or light down layer, gloves and a hat for the mountains, and shoes with grip for wet leaves. Our October packing guide has the details, and November is here.

Driving in leaf season

• Check the passes on the morning you set out. Mountain routes can close or get icy after the first snow, well before winter proper. Our pass closures guide lists the official road-information pages.
• Ask about tyres. If your trip runs into late October or November and crosses mountains, ask your rental company about winter tyres. See what your rental comes with.
• Short days. Sunset in Sapporo moves from about 17:17 on 1 October to 16:29 on 31 October. Plan to be off rural mountain roads before dark, when deer are most active.
• Go early on weekends. Leaf-season car parks at Jozankei, the ropeway and the gondola fill by mid-morning on sunny weekends.

More ideas for a day out: day trips from Sapporo by car.

FAQ

Q. When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Hokkaido in 2026?

It depends on altitude. Daisetsuzan peaked in mid-September. Weathernews forecasts Jozankei around 17 October, Lake Shikotsu around 24 October and the Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue around 2 November. Its 2026 forecast calls the season later than normal or slightly later at most Hokkaido spots.

Q. What is the easiest autumn-leaf trip from Sapporo by car?

Jozankei, about 50 minutes from central Sapporo. Combine it with Hoheikyo Dam (about 15 minutes further) or the Sapporo Kokusai gondola (1–20 October) in one day.

Q. Can I see the leaves without a car?

Yes. Sapporo's parks and the university are on the subway or a walk from the station, and Jozankei has direct buses from Sapporo Station (about 70 minutes). In October its leaf buses then take you to the viewpoints.

Q. Is the Futami Suspension Bridge in Jozankei open in 2026?

Yes, but through a pedestrian detour due to open on 1 October, because part of Futami Park is under construction from 24 September 2026 to March 2027.

Q. When is the Hokkaido University ginkgo festival in 2026?

Not announced as of 23 September 2026. The 2025 festival was on 1–2 November. Check the official Konyosai site.

Before you go: Peak dates are forecasts (Weathernews, as shown on 23 September 2026) and can move with the weather. Bus, gondola, ropeway and light-up dates and fares are as announced for 2026 and verified on 23 September 2026; they can change, and mountain roads can close early in snow. Check each official site on the day you travel.

Hokudora (ホクドラ) is a Hokkaido driving and travel site based in Sapporo. More English guides · 日本語版はこちら