Takaosan Momiji Matsuri: Mt. Takao Autumn Leaves, Light-Up and Sticker Lottery

Mount Takao, a 599 m peak in Hachioji on the western edge of Tokyo, is one of the easiest places near the city to see real mountain foliage. Every autumn the mountain holds the Takaosan Momiji Matsuri (高尾山もみじまつり), and in 2026 it runs from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, December 13. Here is what you need to plan a day trip: when the colors usually peak, where to look, the evening light-up, the shop lottery, and how to get up the mountain.

Festival at a glance

When the leaves are at their best

The festival lasts about seven weeks, but the colors don’t all turn at once. In a typical year Mount Takao looks its best from mid-November to early December, and some color often lingers into December.

Sunlight and altitude make a difference, so one part of the mountain can be bright red while another is still green. The weather also pushes the timing earlier or later from year to year. If you are aiming for peak color, check the latest foliage update shortly before your trip.

Where to see the colors

The red and yellow trees run from the foot of the mountain all the way to the summit. Spots worth slowing down for:

• Along the cable car line: you get the leaves on the way up without any climbing.
• Around Yakuoin Temple (髙尾山薬王院), the temple on the mountain’s middle slopes.
• The summit: on a clear day you may even see Mount Fuji.
• Momijidai (もみじ台), a viewpoint whose name literally means maple terrace.

Because each spot turns at its own pace, walking the trail and watching the scenery change as you climb is part of the fun.

Sticker lottery at local shops

If you are going to eat or buy souvenirs on the mountain anyway, the festival lottery is a small bonus. Shops belonging to the Takaosan Shotenkai (高尾山商店会), the local merchants’ association, hand out lottery tickets to shoppers.

Note the earlier closing time in December. If you win late in the day, swing by the information center before heading home.

Evening light-up along the cable car

After dark the mountain takes on a different mood. The leaves along the cable car line are lit up, and you can also take in the night view.

• Dates: Sunday, November 1 to Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Days: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays only
• Hours: sunset to 20:30

The light-up is not held Monday to Thursday (unless it is a holiday), so plan an evening visit around a weekend or holiday.

Getting there and up the mountain

Mount Takao is an easy day trip from central Tokyo. The basic route:

1. Take the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station (高尾山口駅).
2. Walk to Kiyotaki Station (清滝駅) at the foot of the mountain.
3. Ride the cable car or the Echo Lift chairlift up to the middle of the mountain.
4. Walk from there to the summit.

Riding up saves your legs and lets you see the foliage along the line. Pick a route that suits your fitness and schedule, and don’t rush. A day on the trail also drains your phone battery fast with photos and maps. If you need a backup, see our guide to free, unlimited ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS.

Crowds, food and a hot spring finish

Expect crowds on weekends and holidays. Foliage season brings in both sightseers and hikers, and Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are expected to be busy. If you want a calmer walk, a weekday is the better choice.

Food on the mountain. There are restaurants and teahouses along the way, so you can stop for local specialties. Spending at participating shops also gets you into the sticker lottery above.

Soak before you head home. At the foot of the mountain is Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu (京王高尾山温泉 / 極楽湯), a day-use bathhouse with an open-air natural hot spring bath and several other baths. It is a good way to ease tired legs before the train ride back.

Planning more days out this season? Our Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign guide covers discounts on leisure spots, and past event guides such as the Musashino Art University Festival and the Shibaura Canal Festival show what kinds of local events pop up around Tokyo.

FAQ

Q. When is Takaosan Momiji Matsuri held?

From Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, December 13, 2026, according to the official page.

Q. When do the leaves on Mount Takao look their best?

Usually from mid-November to early December. Timing differs by spot because of sunlight and altitude, and it shifts with the weather, so check the latest foliage update before you go.

Q. When is the evening light-up?

The leaves along the cable car line are lit up on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from November 1 to December 6, 2026, from sunset to 20:30.

Q. How does the sticker lottery work?

Participating Takaosan Shotenkai shops give one lottery ticket for every ¥1,000 you spend on food or souvenirs, while supplies last. Winners get an original Mount Takao sticker, with 5,990 winners in total. Prizes are exchanged at Musasabi House, the Takaosanguchi tourist information center.

Q. Is Mount Takao crowded during the festival?

Weekends and national holidays are expected to be busy. Visit on a weekday if you want a quieter walk.

Dates, hours and the program can change, so confirm everything on the official Takaosan Momiji Matsuri page before setting out.