Nagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival: Light-Up Dates, Viewing Spots and Access

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Key takeawaysNagatoro’s gorge along the Arakawa River turns red and gold for the Nagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival, held November 1–30, 2026. Maples at Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park are lit up November 6–29 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., though the dates may shift with the leaf color. Iwadatami is a 5-minute walk from Nagatoro Station, so the train is the easier choice for staying into the evening.
Last checked: . Light-up dates can shift with the leaves, so confirm on the official site before you go.
Nagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival 2026Nov 1–30Evening light-up at Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park: Nov 6–29, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.
5 min walk from Nagatoro Station1,000 parking spacesGood with kids or as a couple

Every November, the riverside town of Nagatoro turns its gorge into one long stretch of red and gold. The Nagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival (長瀞紅葉まつり) runs for the whole month in 2026, and the highlight for many visitors is the evening light-up at a small maple park near the station. Below are the dates, where to look, and how to get there without any guesswork.

Contents
  1. Festival at a glance
  2. The evening light-up
  3. Where to see the leaves
  4. Getting there and parking
  5. Before you go
  6. FAQ

Festival at a glance

EventNagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival 2026 (長瀞紅葉まつり2026)
DatesNovember 1 (Sun) – November 30 (Mon), 2026
Light-upTsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park (月の石もみじ公園): November 6 (Fri) – November 29 (Sun), 4 p.m.–9 p.m. Dates may shift depending on the leaf color.
VenueNagatoro
AddressNagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun (秩父郡長瀞町)
FeesNot listed in the announcement. Check the official site.
Parking1,000 spaces, plus many paid lots around Nagatoro Station
Official siteNagatoro tourism website

The evening light-up

The festival itself covers all of November, but the illuminated maples only come on for part of it. At Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park, the light-up is set for November 6 to November 29, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The organizers say these dates may move earlier or later depending on how the leaves are coloring. If you’re planning a trip for the very start or end of the window, check the official page a few days before you leave.

The announcement also lists Hodosan Shrine (寶登山神社) as a popular spot, so the evening is a good time to combine a short shrine visit with the park.

Where to see the leaves

Nagatoro’s foliage is spread along the Arakawa River rather than packed into one park, so it’s worth exploring on foot. These are the spots highlighted for the festival:

Chichibu Sekiheki cliffsOn the bank opposite the Iwadatami rock terraces (岩畳), a sheer cliff face known as Chichibu Sekiheki (秩父赤壁) turns bright with autumn color, and the leaves reflect on the water.
Around IwadatamiThe trees around the rock terraces themselves change color too, making this the natural starting point from the station.
Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji ParkA popular maple spot and the site of the evening light-up.
Hodosan ShrineAnother favorite for autumn leaves in town.
From a river boatA river ride (川下り) on the Arakawa gives you maples and oaks lining the river from water level.

The festival is listed as a good outing with kids or as a couple. If you’re collecting autumn day trips, our guides to the Shibaura Canal Festival and the Musashino Art University Festival cover other seasonal events worth a look.

Getting there and parking

By trainAbout a 5-minute walk to Iwadatami from Nagatoro Station (長瀞駅) on the Chichibu Railway (秩父鉄道).
By carAbout 30 minutes to Iwadatami from Hanazono IC (花園IC) on the Kan-Etsu Expressway (関越道), via Route 140 (国道140号).
Parking1,000 spaces. Many paid parking lots around Nagatoro Station.

Because the main viewing area is so close to the station, the train is the easier choice if you want to stay for the light-up and not worry about the drive back in the dark. Parking around the station is paid, so keep some cash or a card handy. If you’re still setting up payments in Japan, see which credit card to get first as a foreigner.

Evening photos drain phone batteries fast. If you tend to run low on long days out, d VALUE PASS gives free, unlimited ChargeSPOT rentals, which is handy wherever a station is nearby.

Before you go

Fees aren’t listed. The festival announcement doesn’t give an admission fee or prices for the light-up or river ride. Check the official schedule page for the latest details.
  • Watch the light-up dates. They depend on the leaf color and may shift.
  • Plan your route on foot. Iwadatami, the light-up park and the station are the core of a walk; add the river ride if you have time.
  • Looking for cheaper outings? The Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign offers discounts on leisure tickets, and our Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks guide shows how we plan crowded events.

FAQ

Q. When is the Nagatoro Autumn Leaves Festival 2026?
The festival runs from November 1 to November 30, 2026. The evening light-up at Tsuki-no-Ishi Momiji Park is scheduled for November 6–29, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Q. Can the light-up dates change?
Yes. The light-up period may shift depending on how the leaves are coloring, so check the official Nagatoro tourism site before you go.
Q. How much does it cost?
The announcement doesn’t list an admission fee or other prices. Check the official Nagatoro tourism site for current details.
Q. How do I get there by train?
The Iwadatami rock terraces are about a 5-minute walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway.
Q. Is there parking?
There are 1,000 parking spaces, and many paid parking lots around Nagatoro Station.

Source: Nagatoro tourism website, festival schedule (checked October 25, 2026).

Plan your next day out

See what else is on that day, that month and in the same area on our event calendar.

See November 1 on the calendarNovember 2026 eventsSaitama event calendar

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