Every November, the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi turns red and gold, and the town of Fujikawaguchiko holds a festival around it. The 28th Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (第28回 富士河口湖 紅葉まつり) runs from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 29, 2026. You can walk under giant maples by day, come back after dark for the illuminations, and eat at the stalls in between.
Below are the dates and hours, what the main spot looks like, how the light-up works, and how to get there without a car.
Dates, hours and venue
| Event | 28th Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sat, November 7 – Sun, November 29, 2026 |
| Hours | 9:00–19:00 |
| Light-up | Sunset (around 16:30) to 21:00 |
| Main venue | Momiji Corridor (もみじ回廊) on Kawaguchiko Bijutsukan-dori (河口湖美術館通り), Lake Kawaguchi shore |
| Address | Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi (山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町河口) |
| Inquiries | Fujikawaguchiko Town Office, Tourism Division (富士河口湖町役場観光課) |
| Admission / parking | Not stated in the official notice. Please check the official site before you go. |
Official notice: Fujikawaguchiko Town tourism site (fujisan.ne.jp)
The Momiji Corridor: a tunnel of giant maples
The heart of the festival is the Momiji Corridor, which follows the Nashi River (梨川) on the north shore of the lake. About 60 huge old maple trees line the stream, and when they turn, walking along it feels like passing through a tunnel of red and yellow leaves.
Across the whole lakeshore, roughly 400 to 500 trees change color. Some spots let you frame the foliage and Mount Fuji in the same view, so it pays to wander a little beyond the corridor itself.
Evening light-up
Throughout the festival, the trees are lit from sunset (around 16:30) until 21:00, mainly along the Momiji Corridor. By day you get bright reds and yellows; after dark the branches glow against the night sky and the whole scene changes character.
A good plan is to arrive in the afternoon, walk the corridor in daylight, and stay on as the sky darkens to watch the lights come up. Note that the general festival hours end at 19:00, while the light-up continues until 21:00.
Shooting the illuminations drains a phone battery quickly. If you might run low, our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS is worth a look before the trip.
Food stalls, souvenirs and the craft market
The festival is not only about scenery. Around the venue you will find:
- Food booths and stalls for a snack between walks
- Souvenir sales
- A craft market with handmade accessories and small goods
Specific vendors and menus are not listed in the official notice, so treat it as a browse-as-you-go market.
Getting there by bus or car
| Train + bus | From Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖駅) on the Fujikyu Line, take the Kawaguchiko sightseeing bus and get off at Kubota Itchiku Art Museum (久保田一竹美術館). About 20 minutes. |
|---|---|
| Car (Chuo Expressway) | About 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC |
| Car (Tomei Expressway) | From Gotemba IC, take the Higashi-Fuji Goko Road to Fujiyoshida IC, then about 20 minutes |
| Parking | Not stated in the official notice. Check the official site before driving. |
The official site also carries a flyer for a trial lake sightseeing taxi on Lake Kawaguchi, dated November 14 to 22. Details such as routes and fares are not covered here, so check the official site if you are interested.
Tips for planning your visit
- Aim for early to mid-November if you want the leaves at their best, and check a foliage report a few days before.
- Combine day and night. The daytime colors and the light-up are two different experiences, and the festival runs into the evening.
- Confirm admission and parking with the official site or the Fujikawaguchiko Town Office Tourism Division, as these are not in the notice.
If you enjoy the area, Fujikawaguchiko Town also runs a special website for furusato nozei (hometown tax donations). Before donating anywhere, read our rundown of the furusato nozei rule changes that took effect in October.
Looking for more weekend outings? See our guides to the Musashino Art University Festival and the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks, or save on leisure tickets with the Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign.
FAQ
- Q. When is the light-up?
- During the festival, from sunset (around 16:30) until 21:00, mainly along the Momiji Corridor.
- Q. When are the autumn leaves at their best?
- Usually from early to mid-November, but the timing shifts with the temperature each year, so check the latest foliage report before you go.
- Q. Is there an admission fee?
- The official notice does not mention an entry fee, so please confirm with the official site or the Fujikawaguchiko Town Office Tourism Division.
- Q. How do I get there by public transport?
- From Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Line, take the Kawaguchiko sightseeing bus and get off at Kubota Itchiku Art Museum. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
- Q. Is there parking at the venue?
- Parking details are not listed in the official notice, so check the official site before you drive.
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