If you want to see autumn foliage at Lake Kawaguchi, one place you should not miss is the popular Maple Corridor. It is not only the main venue of the Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, but also attracts around 200,000 visitors every November. This guide covers the best foliage season, festival and nighttime illumination information, as well as how to arrange transportation back after enjoying the illuminated autumn leaves. Read this before you go to make your foliage trip smoother!
Why Is the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor So Popular?
The Maple Corridor is located along the Nashigawa River on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, with around 150 maple trees lining both sides of the river. In autumn, the leaves gradually turn red and the branches overlap above the walkway, creating a natural tunnel of autumn colors. On clear days, Mount Fuji can also be seen between the leaves. The area is officially recommended as a photography spot, and many visitors come specifically to capture Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji in the same frame.
The Maple Corridor is beautiful not only when the leaves are at their peak, but also when fallen leaves blanket the ground, creating a different autumn atmosphere. Admission is free and the area is open all day. The attraction itself is not large, and a full loop with photo stops takes about 30 minutes, making it easy to include in a Lake Kawaguchi day trip. Autumn nights can be very cold, so if you plan to see the evening illumination, be sure to dress warmly.
Best Time to See Autumn Foliage at Lake Kawaguchi
According to official information from the Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation, the autumn foliage season at Lake Kawaguchi has traditionally been from late October to mid-November. However, in recent years the changing colors have tended to arrive later due to temperatures, and in 2025 the best viewing period did not begin until mid-November. For 2026, it is recommended to plan your trip for early to late November and check the latest foliage conditions before departure.
| Attraction | 2026 Forecast Viewing Period | 2026 Actual Color Change Date (Updated Weekly from September) | 2025 Viewing Period Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor | Early–Late November | － | November 13 |
2026 Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
The Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, held every autumn at the Maple Corridor, is one of Lake Kawaguchi's most popular foliage events and has continued for more than 20 years. The 28th festival will be held in 2026 from November 7 (Sat) to November 29 (Sun). During the event, food and market stalls operate daily and nighttime illuminations are held, so visitors can eat, shop, and enjoy the foliage into the evening. Weekends and public holidays are especially crowded, so weekdays are recommended if you want to avoid the busiest periods.
Festival Dates and Hours
2026 Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
Dates: November 7 (Sat)–November 29 (Sun), 2026
Stall Hours: 9:00–19:00
Illumination Hours: Sunset (around 16:30)–21:00
Venue: Momiji Corridor on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Contact: Fujikawaguchiko Town Tourism Division 0555-72-3168; Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation 0555-28-5177
Autumn Leaves Festival Venue Map
The official 2026 guide map for the main Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival venue has not yet been released. Based on previous years, the main venue can generally be divided into two areas: the popular Maple Corridor on the north side, and the approximately 1.5-kilometer Maple Road along the lakeshore, where visitors can enjoy rows of colorful leaves on both sides. The main information area, food stalls, specialty products, and handicraft market are concentrated mainly on the south side of the Maple Corridor. Around 400–500 maple trees can be found along the Lake Kawaguchi shoreline, so the overall foliage-viewing area is larger than many visitors expect.
Visit the Golden Seven Lucky Gods Along the Way
Around the festival venue, you can also visit the Lake Kawaguchi Golden Seven Lucky Gods. The seven statues are spread along the lakeshore, allowing you to enjoy the autumn foliage while taking a walk and paying your respects. If you want a souvenir of the pilgrimage, you can purchase a goshuin shikishi board at places such as the Kawaguchiko Herb Hall and collect the seven goshuin stamps along the way. It is a fun side trip in addition to viewing the autumn leaves.
Festival Market Stalls
During the Autumn Leaves Festival, many stalls appear around the Maple Corridor, selling everything from local Yamanashi food and souvenirs to handmade crafts. You can enjoy snacks and browse the market while viewing the foliage. A special stage is also set up at the venue, with various events held at different times during the festival. Since restaurant options along the Lake Kawaguchi shoreline are relatively limited, eating at a stall you like is also a convenient choice.
Nighttime Illumination
If you are staying around Lake Kawaguchi, it is highly recommended to return to the Maple Corridor in the evening for another walk. The autumn colors are already impressive during the day, but once darkness falls and the illumination begins, the atmosphere changes completely. Starting around sunset at approximately 16:30, soft lights shine upward from beneath the trees, making the already vivid red leaves appear even more intense and giving the entire walkway a dreamlike atmosphere that is very different from daytime.
One of the best places to stop is near the far end of the Maple Corridor, where you can stand in the middle of the small bridge and look ahead. Rows of illuminated maple trees stretch out on both sides, with the red leaves and lights overlapping to create the feeling of walking into a glowing foliage tunnel. If your timing is right and you arrive around sunset, you may also be able to photograph the illuminated leaves together with Mount Fuji. Nights are cold, so be sure to dress warmly. Illumination closing times have changed in recent years, so check the latest official announcement before you go.
How to Get to the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor
【Daytime】Lake Kawaguchi Sightseeing Bus Red Line
| Lake Kawaguchi Sightseeing Bus | Route and Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Route | Take the Red Line sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko Station → Get off at Itchiku Kubota Art Museum and walk about 5 minutes |
| Boarding Point | Directly opposite the ticket gates at Kawaguchiko Station Bus Stop No. 1 |
| Fare | 【1-Day Pass】 Adults ¥1,500 / Elementary school students and younger ¥750 【2-Day Pass】 Adults ¥2,000 / Elementary school students and younger ¥1,000 |
| Frequency | About every 15 minutes |
| Payment | Suica and PASMO accepted |
【Evening】Transportation After Viewing the Illuminated Autumn Leaves
The Maple Corridor illumination begins around sunset at approximately 16:30, but the most important thing to consider in the evening is your return transportation. Using the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum stop as an example, the last sightseeing bus toward Kawaguchiko Station departs at 18:06, while the last bus in the opposite direction departs at 18:32. This means that if you take the sightseeing bus, you still have more than an hour and a half to enjoy the illuminated foliage and do not necessarily need to spend extra on a taxi. In 2026, the illumination continues until 21:00. If you want to stay until the very end, you will need to take a taxi, drive yourself, or stay at a hotel on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi and walk to the venue.
Tip: The last Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing bus may change depending on the season and year, so be sure to check the latest timetable before departure.
Driving and Parking
If you are visiting the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor with elderly family members or children, driving may be the most convenient option. However, weekends and public holidays during the Autumn Leaves Festival attract large crowds, and traffic congestion often occurs between the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art area and the Entsu Hall area. Parking lots may also require waiting in line. If you plan to visit on a weekend, try to avoid peak hours or leave earlier.
For parking, if you want to avoid congestion during the Autumn Leaves Festival and do not mind walking a little farther, consider using the free parking area near the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art bus stop, then walk leisurely along the lakeshore to the Maple Corridor. Although it is slightly farther away, you will not need to circle around the festival venue searching for a parking space, and you can enjoy the autumn scenery along the lakeshore on the way, making the overall experience more relaxed.
| Transportation | Travel Time | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Chuo Expressway | From Kawaguchiko IC toward Kofu About 10–15 minutes | Mostly free, with some paid parking Limited number of spaces |
| Tomei Expressway | Gotemba IC → Higashi-Fuji-Goko Road → About 15 minutes after exiting at Fujiyoshida IC |
Beyond the beautiful autumn foliage, Lake Kawaguchi has many more attractions worth exploring. These include famous spots for photographing the inverted reflection of Mount Fuji, the five-story pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, and the World Heritage spring ponds of Oshino Hakkai. The Lake Kawaguchi guide below introduces 15 must-visit attractions, transportation, accommodation, and seasonal activities, helping you plan the perfect lakeside itinerary beneath Mount Fuji.
After seeing the autumn foliage at Lake Kawaguchi, want to compare other fall-color spots in Tokyo? From Shinjuku Gyoen and Rikugien in central Tokyo to Mount Takao and Lake Okutama in the suburbs, the guide below selects 24 must-visit autumn foliage spots in Tokyo and includes the best viewing times for each, helping you plan a complete Tokyo fall-color itinerary.
Autumn is an excellent time for a foliage trip to Lake Kawaguchi. You can stroll through the Maple Corridor, enjoy the colorful leaves, and see Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. However, temperatures around Lake Kawaguchi drop significantly at night. If you plan to see the evening illumination, be sure to bring a warm jacket, scarf, and other suitable clothing, then take your time enjoying the autumn scenery.
Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor FAQ
1. When Is the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor Most Beautiful?
According to official information, the Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor has traditionally reached its best autumn colors from late October to mid-November, with early to mid-November usually being a good period for viewing. In 2025, the viewing season began around November 13. The timing of autumn colors still varies each year depending on temperatures and weather, so if you are planning a foliage trip, early to mid-November is a good target, but be sure to check the latest conditions before departure.
2. Is There an Admission Fee for the Maple Corridor? How Long Does It Take to Visit?
No. The Maple Corridor is open all day and free to visit, including during the Autumn Leaves Festival. Walking along both sides of the Nashigawa River, crossing the small bridge, and looping back takes around 30 minutes if you stop along the way to take photos and enjoy the foliage. Additional fees apply if you use the sightseeing bus or buy food, souvenirs, or handicrafts at the festival stalls. Overall, it is easy to fit the Maple Corridor into a Lake Kawaguchi itinerary even if you only have a short amount of free time.
3. Are Buses Still Available After the Nighttime Illumination?
Yes, but you need to pay close attention to the last bus times. The Maple Corridor illumination begins around sunset at approximately 16:30. Based on the sightseeing bus timetable at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum stop, the last bus toward Kawaguchiko Station departs at 18:06, while the last bus in the opposite direction departs at 18:32. However, if you want to stay until the illumination ends at 21:00, you will not be able to return on this sightseeing bus. In that case, take a taxi, drive, or stay at a hotel on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi and walk to the venue. Actual last-bus times may change by season and year, so check the latest timetable before departure.
4. Can You Photograph Mount Fuji from the Maple Corridor?
On clear days with good visibility, Mount Fuji can be seen through the autumn leaves, and the Maple Corridor is officially recommended as a spot for photographing Mount Fuji together with the foliage. However, the main attraction of the corridor is still the overlapping maple branches on both sides, and whether Mount Fuji is clearly visible depends on the weather and visibility that day. If you want to capture the foliage and Mount Fuji in the same frame, consider arriving around sunset, when there is still some daylight but the illumination has just begun, allowing you to capture the transition between daytime and nighttime scenery.
5. What Should You Know Before Visiting Lake Kawaguchi for Autumn Foliage?
Lake Kawaguchi has a large temperature difference between morning and evening in autumn, and it becomes noticeably colder after the nighttime illumination begins. If you plan to see the illuminated foliage, dress warmly and bring a jacket or other cold-weather clothing. Weekends and public holidays during the Autumn Leaves Festival are also much busier, and drivers may encounter traffic jams and queues for parking. If you want to avoid spending too much time looking for a space, leave early or take the Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing bus instead.