Japan in November: What's at Its Best and What's Closed

146 places are at their best in November; 12 are closed all month and 67 partly closed.

Plan your November trip Map: what's a day trip from where you stay

What is closed, by prefecture

At its best in November

Tokyo & Yokohama 6

• Rikugien GardenTokyoAutumn-leaf evening illumination in late Nov – early Dec
• Mihama-en Garden (Makuhari Seaside Park)ChibaKoi feeding and the Shoraitei tea house
• Koishikawa Korakuen GardenTokyo"Miyama Koyo" autumn leaves, late Nov – early Dec, with special evening openings in mid-November
• Tonogayato GardenTokyoA strolling garden built into a valley on the Musashino terrace edge: a bright lawn above, a spring-fed pond and bamboo grove below.
• Takahata Fudo TempleTokyoHydrangea festival in June; maple festival in late November
• Hondoji TempleChibaOver 50,000 hydrangeas in late June; 5,000 irises in early June; autumn colors in late November

Mt. Fuji & Hakone 4

• Lake KawaguchiYamanashiAutumn leaves (Momiji Corridor), late October to mid-November
• Hakone-Yumoto OnsenKanagawaHakone Daimyo Procession, Nov 3 every year
• Saiko Iyashi no Sato NenbaYamanashiWeeping cherries mid-April to early May; autumn leaves late Oct to mid-Nov
• Mt. Oyama & Afuri ShrineKanagawaMaple light-up at Oyama-dera, mid to late November

Nikko 1

• Ryuokyo GorgeTochigiA 7 km riverside trail continues to Kawaji Onsen; autumn leaves late Oct to early Nov

Kanazawa 1

• Natadera TempleIshikawaA temple of Mt. Hakusan worship founded in 717, set among weathered rock outcrops; the main hall and three-storey pagoda are Important Cultural Properties.

Takayama & the Japan Alps 1

• Gandate Gorge (Gandate Park)GifuAutumn leaves, usually late October to early November

Kyoto 8

• Kiyomizu-dera TempleKyotoAutumn leaves, mid to late November
• Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)KyotoAutumn leaves, mid to late November
• Ishiyama-dera TempleShigaThe Tahoto (1194) is said to be Japan's oldest tahoto pagoda; autumn-leaf light-up in November
• Hiyoshi Taisha ShrineShigaAutumn leaves around the halls; the Sanno Festival in April is one of Shiga's three great festivals
• Daigo-ji TempleKyotoHotaiko Hanami Gyoretsu, a costumed cherry-blossom procession recalling Hideyoshi, on the second Sunday of April
• Tofuku-ji TempleKyotoAutumn leaves seen from Tsutenkyo bridge, mid-November to early December
• Rurikoin TempleKyotoAutumn special opening; maples usually peak late Nov-early Dec
• Yokokuji Temple (Yanagidani Kannon)KyotoHydrangea Week in June; Autumn Leaves Week mid-Nov to early Dec (Nov 14-Dec 6 in 2026)

Osaka & Kobe 1

• Minoo Park & Minoo FallsOsakaA wooded valley just north of Osaka, where a riverside path leads from Minoo Station to a 33 m waterfall; known for autumn leaves.

Nara 7

• Hasedera TempleNaraA mountainside temple reached by a long covered stairway, with a large wooden stage and flowers in every season.
• Muroji TempleNaraA mountain temple once open to women when Mount Koya was not, with a small five-storied pagoda among cedars and stone steps.
• Akame 48 WaterfallsMieAutumn leaves, and a bamboo-light event in the gorge in autumn and winter
• Okadera Temple (Ryugaiji)NaraAbout 3,000 rhododendrons (mid-April to early May), dahlias floating in the pond and water basins (late April–early May), autumn leaves (November)
• Joruriji TempleKyotoAutumn leaves around the pond garden
• Kaijusenji TempleKyotoA hillside temple above the Kizu River whose slender Kamakura-period five-storied pagoda is a National Treasure.
• Gansenji TempleKyotoA quiet mountain temple with a three-storied pagoda among the trees, known for hydrangeas in June.

Hiroshima & Miyajima 1

• Sandankyo GorgeHiroshimaKurobuchi ferry boat (late Apr - late Nov)

Kyushu 24

• Yufuin & Lake KinrinOitaMorning mist, late autumn to winter
• Unzen OnsenNagasakiMiyama-kirishima azaleas (usually early–mid May); autumn leaves (usually late Oct – early Nov); rime ice on the trees in winter
• Akizuki Castle TownFukuokaAbout 500 m of cherry trees on Sugi-no-Baba, and maples at the Kuromon gate in late autumn
• Mifuneyama Rakuen GardenSagaAbout 2,000 cherry trees and 200,000 azaleas in spring; a 170-year-old maple in autumn
• Nita Pass (Mt. Unzen)NagasakiMiyama-kirishima azaleas from mid-May; autumn leaves from late October
• Fuki-ji TempleOitaThe Amida hall framed by red maples in late autumn
• Ao-no-Domon Tunnel (Yabakei)OitaHand-chiselled sections and light windows inside the tunnel
• Oka Castle RuinsOitaThe curving stone walls and the Rentaro Taki statue

Also: Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Suspension Bridge, Saitobaru Burial Mounds, Kirishima Jingu Shrine, Izumi Crane Observation Center, Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden, Mt. Hiko (Hikosan), Homangu Kamado Shrine, Kunen-an, Hitome Hakkei (Shin-Yabakei), Kikuchi Gorge, Futago-ji Temple, Kunimigaoka Lookout, Sogi Falls, Gokanosho, Higashiyoka Tidal Flat, Daikozenji Temple (Tsutsuji-dera)

Hokkaido 1

• Hokkaido University (Ginkgo Avenue)HokkaidoGinkgo avenue turns yellow (late Oct–early Nov)

Okinawa 1

• Aharen Beach (Tokashiki)OkinawaA representative beach of Tokashiki Island, with white sand stretching about 800 m. Known as a snorkeling spot with coral reef and fish, with plenty of marine activities.

More in Tohoku 11

• Geibikei Gorge Boat RideIwateAutumn leaves, late October to early November
• Naruko GorgeMiyagiAutumn leaves, mid-October to mid-November
• Naruko OnsenMiyagiAutumn leaves at nearby Naruko Gorge, with a seasonal bus late Oct to early Nov
• Enzoji Temple (Yanaizu)FukushimaAutumn colours against the white walls, late October to early November, best seen from Zuikoji Park across the river
• Shiramizu AmidadoFukushimaLotus in the pond in July and early August; ginkgo and maple colours from late October to early November
• Kasumigajo Park (Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins)FukushimaCherry blossoms early to mid April; autumn leaves early to mid November
• Kamabuchi FallsIwateAutumn leaves, late October to early November
• Shingu Kumano Shrine NagatokoFukushimaThe giant ginkgo turns yellow; special illumination in November

Also: Tadami Line No. 1 Bridge Viewpoint, Kannonnuma Forest Park, Esashi Fujiwara Heritage Park

More in Kanto 16

• Fukuroda FallsIbarakiAutumn leaves, early to mid-November
• Mt. TakaoTokyoAutumn leaves, mid-November to early December
• Mt. MitakeTokyoRengeshoma flowers bloom in August; autumn leaves in November
• Tsukimachi FallsIbarakiAutumn leaves usually late October to late November; the falls sometimes freeze in winter
• Myogi Shrine & Mount MyogiGunmaA lavishly carved, black-lacquered shrine on the slopes of jagged Mount Myogi, one of Gunma's three famous peaks.
• Usui No. 3 Bridge (Megane-bashi)GunmaJapan's largest brick arch bridge, built in 1892 for the steep Usui Pass railway; walk across its top on the Abt Road trail.
• Yoro Valley & Awamata FallsChibaA wooded valley of the Yoro River in the middle of the Boso Peninsula, with waterfalls, hot-spring inns and riverside paths; Awamata Falls is the best-known view.
• Hananuki GorgeIbarakiAutumn leaves usually mid to late November

Also: Ryumon Falls, Karasawayama Castle Ruins, Agatsuma Gorge, Nakatsukyo Gorge, Dokutsu Kannon, Ranzan Valley, Lake Kameyama, Tsukinoishi Momiji Park

More in Chubu 23

• Kiyotsu Gorge TunnelNiigataAutumn leaves, late October to early November
• Yahiko ShrineNiigataChrysanthemum festival (Nov 1–24) and autumn leaves
• Kurobe Gorge RailwayToyamaAutumn leaves, mid-October to November
• Shosenkyo GorgeYamanashiAutumn leaves, early to mid-November
• Korankei GorgeAichiAutumn leaves, mid to late November
• Gujo HachimanGifuGujo Odori (mid-July to early Sept); castle autumn leaves in November
• Shuzenji OnsenShizuokaAutumn leaves, mid-Nov to mid-Dec in the town
• Northern Culture Museum (Ito Family Residence)NiigataThe 150-year-old wisteria in late April to early May

Also: Takeda Shrine, Takato Castle Ruins Park, Sumatakyo Gorge and Yume no Tsuribashi, Komoro Castle Ruins (Kaikoen), Lake Kuzuryu, Bijin-bayashi Beech Forest, Lake Hyoko (Swan Lake), Tokugawa-en Garden, Ojiragawa Gorge, Former Saito Family Villa, Kokeizan Eihoji Temple, Yoro Falls, Mount Horaiji and Horaiji Temple, Ikeda Kazura Bridge, Obara Shikizakura (Obara Fureai Park)

More in Kansai 18

• Kinosaki OnsenHyogoCherry trees along about 1 km of the river (Apr); Yume Hanabi 5-min fireworks on most nights Jul 30 – Aug 21, 2026; snow crab season from early Nov to end of Mar
• Makino Metasequoia AvenueShigaAutumn colors, late November to early December
• Takeda Castle RuinsHyogoSea of clouds, mid-September to early December (early morning)
• Miyama Kayabuki no SatoKyotoA hamlet in the hills of Nantan where most houses still wear thick thatched roofs above rice fields and a river.
• Mt. Gozaisho and Gozaisho RopewayMieAzaleas in spring, autumn leaves from mid-October at the top, rime ice in winter
• Saimyo-ji Temple (Koto Sanzan)ShigaFamous for autumn leaves; the Fudan-zakura cherry can bloom alongside them
• Kokoen GardenHyogoTea at the Sojuan teahouse; illuminated autumn leaves
• Mt. Shosha Engyoji TempleHyogoThe Mitsunodo halls and autumn leaves

Also: Eigen-ji Temple, Oishi Highlands, Soni Plateau, Kitabatake Residence Garden, Ichijoji Temple, Kyorinbo Temple, Hyakusai-ji Temple, Keisoku-ji Temple (former Hanpuku-ji), Tonomine Highlands, Mitarai Valley

More in Chugoku 15

• Bitchu Matsuyama CastleOkayamaSea of clouds, late October to early December (early morning)
• Mt. DaisenTottoriAutumn leaves late October to mid-November; mountain-opening festival in early June
• Daisenji Temple and Ogamiyama Shrine OkumiyaTottoriThe stone-paved approach through the forest and Amida-do, Daisenji's oldest building
• Former Shizutani SchoolOkayamaAutumn leaves in early-mid Nov (Chinese pistache late Oct-early Nov)
• Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)OkayamaCherry blossoms in early-mid April; autumn leaves mid-late Nov
• Rurikoji Temple Five-storey PagodaYamaguchiAutumn leaves around the pagoda reflected in the pond
• Joeiji Temple Sesshu GardenYamaguchiAutumn leaves late Oct-late Nov; evening light-up in autumn
• Mohri Garden and Mohri MuseumYamaguchiAutumn leaves in the garden

Also: Kagikake Pass, Kanba Falls, Buttsuji Temple, Okutsu Gorge, Chofu Castle Town, Mt. Senjo, Taineiji Temple

More in Shikoku 7

• Oboke Gorge & Sightseeing BoatTokushimaAutumn leaves from mid-November
• Koboke Gorge & ViewpointTokushimaAutumn leaves from mid-November
• Iya Kazurabashi Vine BridgeTokushimaAutumn leaves from early November
• Kankakei GorgeKagawaAutumn leaves, usually in November
• Iya Gorge, Peeing Boy Statue & Hinoji GorgeTokushimaAutumn leaves from early November
• Omogo GorgeEhimeGosiki-gawara riverbed and Toragataki Falls
• Cape KomoEhimeNojigiku wild chrysanthemums, early to mid November

Closed all month

• Aomori 1

• Osorezan Bodaiji (Mt. Osore)
  Closed November to April

• Iwate 1

• Toshichi Onsen

• Yamagata 1

• Mount Gassan
  Climbing season is about July 1 to late September; the road to the 8th Station is open about late June to late October and closed by snow the rest of the year

• Fukushima 1

• Oze National Park (Fukushima side, Ozenuma)

• Gunma 1

• Oze National Park (Gunma side)
  Closed by snow from November to April; May and October are the edges of the season

• Saitama 2

• Ashigakubo Icicles
• Ushijima Wisteria (Tokaen)
  Open only from about mid-April to early May; closed the rest of the year

• Fukui 1

• Mizushima Island

• Gifu 2

• Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River (Ukai)
• Mt. Norikura (Norikura Skyline)

• Osaka 1

• Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

• Kagawa 1

• Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA)

Partly closed or seasonal limits

• Hokkaido 8

• Asahiyama Zoo
  Closed about 3 weeks in April and 1 week in early November
• Cape Kamui (Shakotan)
  Trail beyond the Nyonin Kinsei Gate closed for works 5 Oct 2026 – early Apr 2027; the cape can still be viewed from near the gate
• Former Maruichi Honma Merchant House (Mashike)
  Open late April to 3 November only
• Himenuma Pond (Rishiri Island)
• Mt. Asahidake Ropeway (Daisetsuzan)
  Ropeway suspended for maintenance 16 Nov – 10 Dec 2026
• Mt. Hakodate Night View
  Ropeway closed for inspection Oct 20 – Nov 8, 2026
• Shiretoko Five Lakes
  Closed in winter (about mid-November to late April)
• Shiretoko Pass

• Aomori 8

• Anmon Falls (Shirakami-Sanchi)
• Cape Shiriya & Kandachime horses
• Fujita Memorial Garden
  Garden closed Nov 24 to mid-April; only the Western house opens (9:00–16:30)
• Hakkoda Ropeway
  2026: no service Nov 8–20 (maintenance and power works)
• Hirosaki Nakacho Samurai District
  Nov–Mar each house opens only 2–3 days a week; Umeda house closed Dec–Mar
• Hotokegaura
• Juniko Lakes (Aoike Pond)
  The Juniko bus runs only from about mid-April to the end of October
• Komakino Site

• Iwate 2

• Geto Onsen
• Takadachi Gikeido
  Closed in winter from Nov 21; the hall's site says it reopens in March, the Iwate tourism site says Mar 15

• Miyagi 2

• Mt. Kurikoma (Iwakagami-daira)
• Zao Okama Crater Lake
  Road closed from early November to late April

• Akita 13

• Dakigaeri Gorge
  Trail and toilets closed in winter (late Nov to late April)
• Former Ikeda Family Garden
• Hachimantai Summit & Dragon Eye
  Aspite Line closed in winter (early Nov to mid-April)
• Hottai Falls
  The road from Sarukura closes for winter from late November (Nov 20 in 2025); reopening date not stated
• Isedotai Jomon Site
• Kawarage Jigoku (Hell Valley)
• Kawarage Oyutaki (Hot-Spring Waterfall)
• Mt. Chokai (Hokodate)
• Mt. Moriyoshi (Ani Gondola)
• Oyasukyo Gorge Daifunto
  Gorge path closed in winter (about early Nov to late April); view from the bridge
• Takedai Nature Observation Forest (Shirakami)
  Closed from late November to mid-May (access road closed in winter)
• Tamagawa Onsen
  Closed in winter (about Nov 30 to mid-April); sister inn Shin-Tamagawa stays open
• Yasu-no-Taki Falls
  Road closed by snow from about mid-November to late May

• Yamagata 3

• Uesugi Shrine (Matsugasaki Park)
  The Keishoden treasure hall is open from mid-March to November 25 (and on the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival weekend in February); the shrine grounds are open all year
• Yudonosan Shrine
  Open from June 1 to about November 3 (2026); closed by snow the rest of the year
• Zao Onsen
  Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open

• Fukushima 4

• Jododaira and Bandai-Azuma Skyline
  The Skyline is closed in winter, from mid November to early April
• Maezawa Magariya Village
  The museum and facilities close for winter, from mid November to late April
• Nakatsugawa Gorge
• Shioyazaki Lighthouse

• Gunma 3

• Ichinokurasawa
• Lake Nozori
• Mount Tanigawa & Tanigawadake Ropeway
  Closed for maintenance for part of April and November; in winter it serves the ski area

• Niigata 2

• Lake Okutadami (Sightseeing Boat)
• Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum (Echigo-Tsumari Art Field)

• Toyama 2

• Kaiwomaru Park & Shinminato Bridge
• Shomyo Falls
  Road closed in winter (about late Nov to late Apr); bus runs mid-May to mid-Nov

• Ishikawa 2

• Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road
• Kanazawa Umimirai Library

• Fukui 1

• Maruoka Castle

• Yamanashi 2

• Hirogawara (Kita-dake trailhead)
• Mt. Mizugaki

• Nagano 5

• Happo Pond (Hakuba Happo-one)
  Hiking lifts run from late May/June to early November (2026: May 30-31 and Jun 6-Nov 3); the area is a ski resort in winter
• Kamikochi
  Open from mid-April to November 15
• Kitayatsugatake Ropeway & Tsuboniwa
• Kitazawa Pass
• Shirahone Onsen
  The public outdoor bath closes for winter, Nov 25 to mid-April (inns stay open)

• Shizuoka 1

• Mt. Fuji Fujinomiya Trail 5th Station

• Mie 1

• Osugidani Gorge

• Shiga 2

• Biwako Terrace (Biwako Valley)
• Mt. Ibuki

• Nara 1

• Odaigahara

• Shimane 1

• Kuniga Coast (Oki Islands)
  Sightseeing boat not running Nov - mid-March

• Okayama 1

• Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art (Nagi MOCA)

• Yamaguchi 1

• Motonosumi Shrine
  Closed to visitors on weekends and holidays until November 2026

• Kumamoto 1

• Tsujunkyo Bridge
  Walking on the bridge is suspended for the rest of 2026 while earthquake damage is surveyed; the water release still goes ahead.

• Okinawa 1

• Sefa Utaki
  Repair works: parts closed 1 Jul – 1 Nov 2026; from 2 Nov 2026 to 5 Jan 2027 only up to the Ujoguchi gate (entry free)

Where to stay this month

• Kyoto 22 at their best within 60 km
• Osaka 16 at their best within 60 km
• Tokyo 11 at their best within 60 km

Onsen in November →

Other months: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · December