Chasing Koyo Leaves: Top 10 Spots and Hikes to View the Fall Foliage in Niseko

Unlike the better-known koyo spots elsewhere in Japan, the locations below leave you surrounded by nature rather than by crowds.

If you’re planning an autumn trip, aim for late September to the end of October. The leaves transform first at Niseko’s higher elevations before the colour works its way down the mountains, so whenever you visit there is usually somewhere worth heading for. The spots below are our pick for capturing Niseko at its autumn best.

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Hangetsu Lake, or Half-moon Lake, takes its name from its crescent shape. It sits within a park thick with deciduous trees, and an easy walking loop lets you take in the whole area. On a clear autumn day, the path becomes a koyo tunnel; yellow and red overhead and brown underfoot. The reflection of the trees on the water is a favourite with photographers and locals alike.

Getting there is simple: a flat walk around the lake, with a short steeper section down to the water. It sits less than 10 minutes by car from Hirafu, so it slots neatly into a day in town.

A favourite scenic route in the area, the Panorama Line is worth the drive for the colour alone as it winds along the mountain road. The views take in the valley, Mount Yotei, Mount Annupuri, Mount Nitori, Mount Chisenupuri and a good many other peaks along the Niseko-Annupuri range, and they only improve the higher you climb. Take it by car or by bike, stop for a hike, or soak in the hot spring water at Yukichichibu Onsen along the way. Carry on and you’ll reach the town of Iwanai, a reliable bet for a plate of sushi or a seafood rice bowl.

Reaching it is straightforward. From Hirafu, take route 343 towards Niseko Village, carry on to the T-junction, turn right and keep going until you reach the Panorama Line. The drive is an easy one, though the road closes over winter.

Shinsen-numa is one of the loveliest marshlands in the area. The leaves are at their peak from late September to mid-October, which is when most people come for the view. Through autumn, the grass turns golden brown with yellow leaves behind it. Boardwalk trails run throughout, so it suits all ages, provided you enjoy being out in nature.

Set deep in the mountains at around 560m, Oyunuma Pond is a hot spring known for its sulphur water and mineral mud, which locals credit with softening the skin. In autumn, the foliage lights up the hills and mountains behind the steaming pond. It is also the source of the Yukichichibu Onsen.

You can drive right up, and there is a car park onsite. A full loop of the pond isn’t possible, but a short walk brings you closer, and Yukichichibu Onsen is right next door.

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If you fancy a hike, Mount Annupuri is a good one. From the trailhead near Goshiki Onsen, it takes around an hour and a half to reach the peak at 1,308m, where Mount Yotei comes into full view. Plenty of hikers set off early for the sunrise, and autumn makes that easier than summer, when it arrives at an unsociable hour.

For something more adventurous, take the Niseko Annupuri Summer Gondola up to 1,000m, then hike up and over Annupuri down to Goshiki Onsen. 

It’s a proper trail the whole way to the peak, well suited to intermediate hikers and manageable for beginners. Bring enough water, since there is none on the mountain. If hiking isn’t your thing, the scenic Route 58 from Kutchan gets you there by car instead.

The Goshiki Onsen Information Centre is a useful stop for details on hiking in the area, and it marks the start of the Iwaonupuri trail. 

At the base of Mount Iwaonupuri, near the trailhead, a gentle slope of low shrubs turns deep red in koyo season, set against the pale rocky ground. From here you also get a wide view of the surrounding mountains and valleys in their autumn colours. It’s a short walk from the information centre to the viewing spot, over one rocky stretch that can turn a little slippery.

Kagami-numa is a marsh in the Mount Annupuri area. Kagami is the Japanese word for mirror, which is fitting, since Mount Annupuri reflects neatly in the water.

The hike takes about 45 minutes and is fine for beginners, on a well-kept trail with gentle slopes and a boardwalk for the final stretch to the marsh. You’ll find the trailhead at Hanazono Golf Course, near the exit.

A quiet spot you may well have to yourself on most days, Yunosatochusha is a small park full of large trees. As autumn sets in, they turn through various shades of yellow. A few benches and tables make it a good place for a picnic. You can drive right up, with parking on site, and the rest is a stroll around the park.

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At the foot of Mount Yotei, Fukidashi Park draws visitors all year round, largely for its mineral spring water, which you can take home (bring a bottle, or buy one at the shop). In autumn the trees turn from green to red and yellow. Follow the wooden walkways, listen to the streams, and the whole experience is quite restorative. Our tip: the nearby onsen and soba restaurant are worth a look.

Getting around couldn’t be simpler. This, after all, is where the expression “it’s a walk in the park” comes from.

Another spot only the locals (and now you) know about, Makkari Jumokuen is a quiet park with a good mix of trees. The draw is the tall trees lining both sides of the road through the park, which have a faintly cinematic effect. It is also a fine place to see Mount Yotei, particularly in spring when the sakuras are out. A well-regarded tofu shop, Wakimizu no Sato, is close by.

A level path winds through the trees and around the park. The entrance can be tricky to find, so look for the large wooden sign bearing the park’s name, 真狩樹木園, and the small gravel road leading in.