Nara Fall Foliage

Nara is a great place to see Japan’s famous autumn colors. The city is filled with park, temples, shrines and gardens where you can enjoy the leaves. Here is a list of the best spots and information on timing.

[Brilliant maple tree in Nara-koen Park © coolinsights]

In a hurry? Scroll down for our list of the best foliage spots in Nara. Otherwise, read the following section on the best time to see the autumn colors in Nara.

When is fall foliage season in Nara?

In an average year, the leaves start changing color sometime in October in Nara. The peak of autumn color usually comes in mid-November, and you can usually see colors on the trees until mid-December. Thus, in an average year, the foliage season in Nara lasts from 15 October to 15 December, with a peak around 15 November.

Nara’s best fall foliage spots

Here is our list of the best fall foliage spots in Nara. For more details on these places, visit our Things To Do in Nara page.

• Nara-koen Park: The vast expanse of Nara-koen Park is the perfect place to enjoy the autumn colors, and the deer make nice additions to your photographs.
• Todai-ji Temple: There aren’t many trees within the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha enclosure), but the area around the temple, including the walk up to Sangatsu-do and Nigatsu-do, is covered with trees that burst into brilliant colors in the fall.
• Kasuga-taisha Shrine: The trails in and around Kasuga-taisha Shrine are lined with trees, including several broadleaf varieties that turn color in the fall. The walk from Nigatsu-do to Kasuga-taisa is a great way to enjoy the colors.
• Isui-en and Yoshiki-en Gardens: These two adjoining gardens are perhaps our favorite places in the city to enjoy the autumn colors. The garden setting here makes for particularly lovely photos.

Outside Nara

If you have more time, consider a trip outside of Nara City to visit some of the other great foliage spots in Nara Prefecture. Our favorites are:

• Muro-ji Temple and Hase-dera Temple: These temples, in the southeast of the prefecture, can easily be paired together to form a great half-day trip out of Nara City. Both look lovely during foliage season.
• Tanzan-jinja Shrine: This shrine in the south of Nara Prefecture is one of Japan’s most famous maple leaf viewing spots. The red of the shrine against a backdrop of fiery maples is an unforgettable sight.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Nara map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Nara Travel Guide:

• Nara Travel Guide Overview
• Things To Do In Nara
• Nara Walking Tour
• Places To Eat In Nara
• Nara Itineraries
• Nara Districts
• Nara Hotels
• Nara Ryokan
• Nara Cherry Blossoms
• Nara Fall Foliage
• Best Time To Go To Nara
• How To Get To Nara
• Getting Around Nara
• Nara Annual Festivals And Events

More Things To Do In Japan

We also have guides about things to do in Kyoto, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Hiroshima and Mijiyama.

Nara Districts Map