# Hakone autumn leaves: when, where and how to beat the queues 2026

Hakone's autumn runs later and longer than most people expect. The colour starts on the slopes under the ropeway and around Lake Ashi in late October, moves through the gardens of Gora and Sengokuhara in November, and reaches the hot spring town of [Hakone-Yumoto](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%99%BB%E5%B1%B1%E9%89%84%E9%81%93%20%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E6%B9%AF%E6%9C%AC%E9%A7%85%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E6%B9%AF%E6%9C%AC%E7%99%BD%E7%9F%B3%E4%B8%8B707-1) in late November and early December. Here is when to go where, the gardens and temples worth a detour, how to cope with the queues for the mountain railway and the ropeway, and where to stay; our Hakone guide covers the classic loop route. The list below is updated daily with autumn events in Hakone.

## When the leaves turn: high ground first, Yumoto last

Hakone stretches from about 100 m at Hakone-Yumoto to more than 1,000 m at Owakudani, and the colour follows the altitude. The slopes under the ropeway around [Owakudani](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A4%A7%E6%B6%8C%E8%B0%B7%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E4%BB%99%E7%9F%B3%E5%8E%9F1251) and the shores of [Lake Ashi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%8A%A6%E3%83%8E%E6%B9%96%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA), at about 720 m, turn first, from late October into mid November. Gora and Sengokuhara follow in November, with most gardens there at their best from the middle to the end of the month. Miyanoshita and the valley of the Tozan railway turn in mid to late November, and Hakone-Yumoto is usually at its best from late November into early December.

So the whole season runs roughly from late October to early December, and on any weekend in November something is usually in colour. The [pampas grass of Sengokuhara](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%99%E7%9F%B3%E5%8E%9F%E3%81%99%E3%81%99%E3%81%8D%E8%8D%89%E5%8E%9F%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E4%BB%99%E7%9F%B3%E5%8E%9F) is golden at the same time, from October into November, which makes early to mid November the best moment to see both on one trip.

[Hakone Navi](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/feature/information/kouyou/), the site of the Odakyu group that runs Hakone's railway, ropeway and boats, posts dated photos of the main spots through the season, and it is worth a look a few days ahead. Hakone's maples grow among evergreen forest, so expect red and gold patches on dark green rather than whole red hillsides.

- → [Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the loop, onsen and views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone.md)
- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Flowers, autumn leaves and seasons in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nature.md)
- → [Events in Kanagawa](https://eventstokyo.com/en/kanagawa.md)

## Gardens and temples: Gora, Sengokuhara and Kowakudani

In Gora, the moss garden of the [Hakone Museum of Art](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%BE%8E%E8%A1%93%E9%A4%A8%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%BC%B7%E7%BE%851300) is the classic autumn picture: maples over a carpet of moss, usually good from early to late November, with a tea house where you can have matcha looking out over it. The museum closed for a full renovation in May 2026, reopened for a pre-opening period from October 30, and plans its grand opening for December 23, 2026; it is closed on Thursdays. Next door, [Hakone Gora Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E5%BC%B7%E7%BE%85%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%BC%B7%E7%BE%851300) is a hillside French-style garden with a fountain and maples, peaking in mid to late November. Both are a minute from Koen-kami station on the cable car.

In Sengokuhara, [Choanji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%95%B7%E5%AE%89%E5%AF%BA%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E4%BB%99%E7%9F%B3%E5%8E%9F82) is a small Zen temple whose hillside is scattered with hundreds of stone statues of the Buddha's disciples, the gohyaku rakan, under maples and ginkgo. It is free, opens early in the morning, and usually peaks in mid to late November. Get off the bus at Sengoku; the temple is next to the stop.

At Kowakudani, [Horaien](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E5%B0%8F%E6%B6%8C%E5%9C%92%20%E8%93%AC%E8%8E%B1%E5%9C%92%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%B0%8F%E6%B6%8C%E8%B0%B7503), the garden of the Hakone Kowakien resort, is free to walk, known for azaleas in spring and for maples in mid to late November, and has its own bus stop on the H line from Hakone-Yumoto, about 20 minutes up the hill.

- The museum closes at 4:30 pm and Gora Park at 5 pm, with last entry half an hour earlier, and the sun sets at about 4:30 in late November. Plan the gardens for the morning.

- → [The best Japanese gardens in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/japanese-gardens.md)
- → [Museums and big exhibitions in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/museums.md)
- → [Art & Exhibitions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/art.md)

## Lake Ashi, the ropeway and the old road

On Lake Ashi, [Onshi-Hakone Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%81%A9%E8%B3%9C%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%85%83%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9171) sits on a small peninsula that was once an imperial villa. Entry is free, the maples are usually good from early to late November, and from the lakeside viewing hall you look across the water at Mount Fuji on clear mornings. A little north, the garden of the [Odakyu Hotel de Yama](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E5%B1%B1%E3%81%AE%E3%83%9B%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%85%83%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B980) and the cedar-lined approach to [Hakone Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%85%83%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B980-1) make a good walk, and the sightseeing boats show you the coloured shoreline all at once.

The ropeway from Sounzan over Owakudani to Togendai is the best way to see the upper slopes, usually at their best from late October to early November. Down on the old Tokaido road, [Amazake Chaya](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%94%98%E9%85%92%E8%8C%B6%E5%B1%8B%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E7%95%91%E5%AE%BF%E4%BA%8C%E5%AD%90%E5%B1%B1395-1), a thatched teahouse that has served travellers since the Edo period, sits among maples beside the stone-paved path; you can walk part of the old road from there or take the K line bus.

In late November the Hakone Tozan train is a leaf trip in itself. Between Tonosawa and Ohiradai it crosses the Deyama iron bridge high above the Hayakawa valley, and the slopes along the line below Miyanoshita are in colour.

- Owakudani and the ropeway depend on the volcano's gas levels. Check the [operating status](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/status_information) on the morning you go.

- → [Mt Fuji from Tokyo: views, Kawaguchiko and climbing rules](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/mt-fuji.md)
- → [Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the loop, onsen and views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone.md)

## Queues on the train, cable car and ropeway

On sunny November weekends the loop slows down. Expect queues for the Tozan train at Hakone-Yumoto from mid morning, for the cable car at Gora, and above all for the ropeway at Sounzan, where the wait can stretch past an hour. The buses share the main roads with the cars, so on an autumn Sunday the bus timetable is more a hope than a promise.

On selected busy weekends in autumn 2026 Odakyu offers a paid fast lane for the ropeway at Sounzan and Owakudani, and free reserved priority boarding for the cable car at Gora, both booked online in advance. Watch [Hakone Navi](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/status_information) for notices. Otherwise the best tools are timing and direction.

Be at Hakone-Yumoto by 8 or 9 am, or go on a weekday. The other trick is to do the loop against the flow: take the bus from Hakone-Yumoto straight up to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi in the morning, see the lake first, then ride the boat, the ropeway and the cable car downhill in the afternoon while most people are going up.

- Buy the Freepass as a digital ticket before you go, so you skip the ticket windows.
- The ropeway usually stops for a few weeks of maintenance in winter, with replacement buses. In recent years that has started in December, so check if you are going for Yumoto's late leaves.

- → [Getting around Tokyo: trains, Suica and taxis](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/getting-around.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)
- → [Tokyo events on the 3-day weekend (Nov 21–23)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/long-weekend.md)

## Getting there from Tokyo

The Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku runs straight to Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 minutes, all seats reserved. Morning seats on autumn weekends sell out, so book ahead. Cheaper express trains take about two hours with a change at [Odawara](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E5%8E%9F%E9%A7%85%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E5%8E%9F%E5%B8%82%E6%A0%84%E7%94%BA1-1-9). JR goes only as far as Odawara: from Tokyo or Shinagawa the Tokaido Shinkansen takes 35 to 40 minutes on Kodama and some Hikari trains, and you change to the Hakone Tozan line there. Highway buses from Shinjuku run towards Lake Ashi via Gotemba, but in autumn they sit in the same traffic as everyone else.

Odakyu's Hakone Freepass covers two or three days of rides on the Tozan train, the cable car, the ropeway, the pirate ships and the buses in its area, plus the round trip on the Odakyu line from your starting station to Odawara. The Romancecar needs a limited express ticket on top. Prices went up in October 2025 together with ropeway and boat fares, but for the full loop the pass still pays off. You can buy it at Odakyu stations or as a [digital pass](https://odakyu-global.com/passes/hakone-freepass/).

- → [Is the JR Pass worth it for a Tokyo trip?](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/jr-pass.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Events in Kanagawa](https://eventstokyo.com/en/kanagawa.md)

## Where to stay

[Hakone-Yumoto](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%99%BB%E5%B1%B1%E9%89%84%E9%81%93%20%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E6%B9%AF%E6%9C%AC%E9%A7%85%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E6%B9%AF%E6%9C%AC%E7%99%BD%E7%9F%B3%E4%B8%8B707-1) has the most ryokan and the easiest access, it is where the late leaves are at the end of the season, and from there you can catch the first trains up before the day crowds arrive. Miyanoshita, a few stops up the Tozan line, has the [Fujiya Hotel](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E5%B1%8B%E3%83%9B%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%8E%E4%B8%8B359), open since 1878 and one of Japan's oldest Western-style hotels, in a valley that colours in late November.

Gora puts the Hakone Museum of Art and Gora Park on your doorstep, with ryokan of every size around the cable car station, so you can see the gardens at opening time. On Lake Ashi, Moto-Hakone and the lakeshore hotels such as the [Odakyu Hotel de Yama](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E5%B1%B1%E3%81%AE%E3%83%9B%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E6%9F%84%E4%B8%8B%E9%83%A1%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B9%E7%94%BA%E5%85%83%E7%AE%B1%E6%A0%B980) give you the lake and Fuji in the early morning, before the first boats. Sengokuhara is quieter, with resort hotels and small inns near Choanji and the pampas grass.

Autumn weekends and the November long weekends fill early in every area. If you only have one night, Gora or Lake Ashi lets you see the high spots in the morning and still come down through the valley in the afternoon.

- → [Sento, onsen and saunas in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/onsen-sento.md)
- → [Where to stay in Tokyo: the best areas and how to choose](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/where-to-stay.md)
- → [Nikko autumn leaves: from Okunikko down to the shrines](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/nikko-autumn-leaves.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[[Hakone, Small Group] Late Autumn Forest Therapy to Enjoy Colors and Scents on November 8 | Half-Day Experience to Rediscover Your True Self, Available from One Participant](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hakone-small-group-late-autumn-forest-therapy-to)** — Sun, Nov 8, 2026 09:30 (JST) · Hakone Town Mori no Fureai Center (Hakone) · ¥3,600
- **[Autumn Leaves at Owakudani](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-leaves-at-owakudani)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Owakudani (Hakone) · ¥3,000
- **[Autumn Foliage at Lake Ashi in Hakone](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-lake-ashi-in-hakone)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Hakone (Ashinoko) (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Choganji Temple](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-choganji-temple)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Chōan-ji Temple (Kanagawa) (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Kojiri Park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-kojiri-park)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Kojiri Garden Area (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Hayakawa Railway Bridge](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-hayakawa-railway-bridge)** — Wed, Nov 11, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Deyama Iron Bridge (Hayakawa Bridge) (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Leaves in Hakone (Gora)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-leaves-in-hakone-gora)** — Wed, Nov 11, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Hakone (Gora) (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Leaves at Horai Garden, Hakone Kowakien](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-leaves-at-horai-garden-hakone-kowakien)** — Wed, Nov 11, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Hakone Kowakien (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Hakone Venetian Glass Museum](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-hakone-venetian-glass-museum)** — Tue, Oct 20, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Hakone Glass Forest Museum (Hakone) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage at Odakyu Yama-no-Hotel](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-odakyu-yama-no-hotel)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Odakyu Yama no Hotel (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Hakone Gora Park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-hakone-gora-park)** — Sat, Nov 21, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Hakone Gora Park (Hakone) · ¥650
- **[[Autumn Leaves Viewing] Hakone Prefectural Onshi Park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-leaves-viewing-hakone-prefectural-onshi-park)** — Thu, Oct 15, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Onshi Hakone Park (Hakone) · price on the official site
- **[Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sengokuhara-pampas-grass-fields)** — Sun, Sep 20, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Sengokuhara Plateau (Hakone) · price on the official site
- **[Hakone Komagatake Ropeway Autumn Foliage](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hakone-komagatake-ropeway-autumn-foliage)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (Hakone-machi) · ¥2,200
- **[Autumn Foliage at Hakone Museum of Art](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-hakone-museum-of-art)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Hakone Museum of Art (Hakone) · ¥1,500
- **[Autumn Foliage on the Ashinoko Skyline](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-on-the-ashinoko-skyline)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Ashinoko Skyline (Hakone) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage in Hakone (Yumoto)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-in-hakone-yumoto)** — Tue, Dec 1, 2026 – Thu, Dec 10, 2026 (JST) · Hakone (Yumoto) (Hakone) · Free entry
- **[Hakone Komagatake Ropeway 'Hakone Sky Journey 2026 – Nightscape Tour'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hakone-komagatake-ropeway-hakone-sky-journey-2026)** — Sat, Oct 10, 2026 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027 (JST) · Hakone-en, Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (Hakone) · price on the official site

## Questions people ask

**When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Hakone?**
From late October to early December, depending on the altitude. The ropeway line and Lake Ashi come first, Gora and Sengokuhara in mid to late November, and Hakone-Yumoto last, in late November and early December. [Hakone Navi](https://www.hakonenavi.jp/feature/information/kouyou/) posts dated photos through the season.

**Are there autumn leaf light-ups in Hakone?**
Not on any big scale. Hakone's leaves are a daytime trip: the gardens close at around 4:30 to 5 pm and the sun sets at about 4:30 in late November, so start early.

**Is the Hakone Freepass worth it in autumn?**
If you ride the train, cable car, ropeway, boat and bus in one loop, usually yes. If you only go to one garden and back, single tickets are cheaper. The Romancecar seat is extra either way.

**Can I see the pampas grass and the leaves on the same trip?**
Yes. The Sengokuhara pampas grass is golden from October into November, and early to mid November is when both overlap best, with Choanji temple a few minutes away by bus.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone-autumn-leaves