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Kawaguchiko is hosting an autumn leaves festival with nighttime illuminations

Catch the colourful foliage around the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko during the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Kaila Imada
Written by
Kaila Imada
Associate Editor, Time Out Tokyo
Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
Photo: Wipark Kulnirandorn/Dreamstime
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Come autumn, Japan’s verdant areas start turning fiery shades of red, orange and yellow, making for a spectacular sight that rivals the country’s famed cherry blossom season. And what better way to celebrate the season than at an autumn leaves festival near the base of Mt Fuji? Returning for its 25th year, the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival is set to take place from Saturday October 28 to Thursday November 23 

Lake Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi
Photo: Wiradej Thongsuwan/Dreamstime

The highlight of the annual affair is the area's famed Momiji Corridor, which is illuminated from sunset until 10pm. Aside from the Momiji Corridor, you can also see colourful trees flanking the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko with the backdrop of Mt Fuji. 

Along with the illuminations, the festival will feature a number of events including live performances and food stalls selling local specialities. The performances include a Wadaiko Byakudan Stage (taiko drumming) scheduled on weekends as well as music from the Mt Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko Jazz Festival happening on November 4 and 5.

The festival area is about three hours from central Tokyo, and the best way to make the trip is by taking the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and then transferring to the Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station. Once at Kawaguchiko, you can take the Kawaguchiko Tour Bus Red Line to the Ichika Kubota Art Museum stop.

For more info on the festival, visit the website.

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