Few places in Japan photograph better in autumn than Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko), where red maples turn against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji. The star of the season is the Momiji Corridor (Momiji Kairo), a riverside walk on the lake's north shore where old maple trees arch overhead into a tunnel of red.
Below is what the official sources say — when the leaves peak, what the Momiji Corridor and the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival cost and when they open, and how to get there from Kawaguchiko Station. Since the colors here turn earlier than in the capital, it pairs well with Tokyo Autumn Leaves 2026 if you are planning a longer autumn trip.
Peak color usually lands around mid-November. The Momiji Corridor is free to enter, and at the most recent festival (November 1–30) the maples were lit from dusk until about 9:30 p.m.
When the Leaves Peak at Lake Kawaguchi
The maples along the lakeshore and the Momiji Corridor usually color up from early to late November. The peak tends to fall around the middle of the month, and Yamanashi's official tourism site lists the viewing window as "early to mid-November."
That said, the timing shifts a little each year with the weather. The higher ground around Mt. Fuji cools sooner than central Tokyo, so aim for a slightly earlier window than the city's own autumn. Check the current color report just before you go.
The Momiji Corridor at a Glance
The Momiji Corridor runs along both banks of the Nashi River in the Kawaguchi district, on the lake's north shore, where roughly 70 old maple trees line the path. At the height of the season the branches close over your head, so you walk through a tunnel of red and gold.
Entry is free, and the lake is only steps away. At the peak, the lakeside walk is reason enough to come.
The Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival After Dark
Each autumn, the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival centers on the Momiji Corridor. At the most recent edition (the 27th), it ran from November 1 to 30. The daytime side — food stalls, a craft market, and weekend stage events such as monkey performances and taiko drumming — ran from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., so the daytime lineup changes from day to day.
The light-up ran on a separate, later schedule: over the same November 1 to 30 window, the corridor was lit from dusk (around 4:30 p.m.) until about 9:30 p.m., with the maples mirrored in the water.
The dates and hours above are all from the most recent festival. As of August 2026, the 2026 dates have not been announced officially.
Festival dates do move from year to year — one recent edition began on October 26 rather than November 1. Wait for the official announcement to confirm the 2026 dates, hours, and light-up period. The festival contact is the Fujikawaguchiko Town Tourism Division (0555-72-3168).
Where to See Mt. Fuji With the Autumn Colors
The north shore, where the Momiji Corridor sits, is one of the easier places to frame Mt. Fuji and the fall colors in a single shot. On a clear day you can look past the red maples to the first snow settling on the mountain.
Nearby is Oishi Park (Oishi Koen), a well-known Fuji viewpoint — though its main draw is flower beds and the mountain rather than maples, and it sits apart from the corridor. Combine those with "Momiji Kaido," a road lined with maples, and the "Momiji Tunnel" about 15 minutes away by car, and you can spend a full day chasing Mt. Fuji and autumn color.
Getting There from Kawaguchiko Station (and Parking)
From Tokyo, you reach Kawaguchiko Station by highway bus from Shinjuku (Busta Shinjuku) or by the Fujikyuko Line (changing at Otsuki). The station is the closest gateway to the festival. From the station, take the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (the Retro Bus / Red Line), get off at the "Itchiku Kubota Art Museum" stop, and the Momiji Corridor is right there — about 20 minutes in all.
If you drive, it is about 10 minutes from the Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway toward Kofu. Free temporary parking opens during the festival (a few paid lots also operate nearby). The peak weekends get crowded, so give yourself extra time.
Before You Go
The most recent edition ran November 1 to 30, but the festival's dates and light-up schedule change from year to year — treat the times here as the latest edition until the 2026 details are published. Confirm the light-up days, the exact on/off times, and which days the stalls appear — check the on-site signs or the official notice.
The peak, at least, is dependable: mid-November, most years. Build your trip around that window first, then fill in the rest once the official schedule is out.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.