Autumn Leaves Around Niseko in 2026: Where and When (Hangetsu Lake, Lake Toya, Jozankei)

In autumn 2026 you can still catch the fall colours around Niseko. The summits of Mt Yotei and Niseko Annupuri have already had their first snow and are now late in the season, but Hangetsu Lake and Jozankei are right at peak, and the Lake Toya shoreline comes into its best through late October. Below are the leaf-peeping spots you can reach on a day trip from Niseko: where the colour stands now, how to get there, what it costs, and what to watch for as winter moves in. Peak timing shifts year to year, so check each tourism association's latest posts before you set out.

Here is the rough picture for mid-October 2026.

• High summits (Mt Yotei, Niseko Annupuri): late, already snow-capped
• Hangetsu Lake, Jozankei, Hoheikyo Dam: right at peak
• Lake Toya shoreline: coming into peak (mid to late October)

Where is the colour now? High peaks are late, the lakes are coming

Hokkaido's autumn front moves down from the peaks to the valleys. In 2026 some spots are running later and still filling in (foliage progress at 2026 autumn report, as of 13 October 2026). The summits of Niseko Annupuri (1,308 m) and Mt Yotei (1,898 m) have already had their first snow and now hold snow and colour at once. The lakeshores and hot-spring towns at 300 to 760 m, meanwhile, are at their best from mid to late October. Use that difference in height and a single trip can take in both the fading peaks and the valleys in full colour. For the mountain itself, see our guide to climbing Mt Yotei.

Hangetsu Lake: Yotei's foot, 10 minutes from Kutchan by car

Close to the town of Kutchan, Hangetsu Lake is a crater lake formed by Mt Yotei's volcanic activity, with a walking loop of about an hour. Its colour usually peaks from early to mid-October, which places 2026 right in season now. There is a free car park for 80 vehicles, large coaches included. By public transport, take a bus about 10 minutes from JR Kutchan Station, get off at Yotei Tozanguchi, and walk about 15 minutes. Both the walk and the parking are free, and enquiries go to the Kutchan tourism and commerce division (0136-23-3388). Seeing the colour reflected on the water with the snow-capped summit of Mt Yotei behind it is something only this short window offers (Kutchan tourism).

Shinsennuma: a Niseko-range marsh that closes for winter in late October

Shinsennuma, a high marsh at about 760 m in the Niseko range, is one of the first places in Hokkaido to turn. Its colour usually peaks from late September to early October, so by mid-October it may already be late, led by the golden grasses. If you want it, go soon. There is a free car park for 80 vehicles and a rest house serving soba and udon. The thing to watch is the winter closure: Route 66, the road up to Shinsennuma, usually closes from late October until late April. Before you go, confirm this year's closing date with the Kyowa town industry section (0135-67-8778) (Kyowa tourism).

Lake Toya: the shoreline is coming into peak, mid to late October

If you range south from Niseko, Lake Toya is another place known for its leaves. The colour starts in early October and peaks from mid to late October, lasting into early November some years (Lake Toya foliage). Maple, rowan and beech line the shore, and the Silo Observatory and the Usuzan Ropeway look down over the lake and the colouring hills. Because the lake sits low, the gap in height to the surrounding mountains is wide, which keeps the season long here. To pair the colour with a soak, our 14 recommended Niseko hot springs covers the baths on the Niseko side.

Jozankei: a hot-spring town, Hoheikyo Dam, and autumn buses

Cross the pass toward Sapporo and you reach the autumn colour of Jozankei Onsen. It usually peaks from early to mid-October, and the Futami Suspension Bridge and Kappa Pool photograph well (Jozankei foliage). A little upstream, Hoheikyo Dam closes the road to private cars past a designated car park, so you switch to an electric hybrid bus to go in. The 2026 service runs until 3 November, from 8:45 to 16:00 (last bus up at 15:30). The bus runs about 1,200 yen return for an adult in autumn, though fares change, so check the latest on site or with the operator (Hoheikyo Dam). Through October, Jozankei also runs seasonal buses such as the Koyo Kappa Bus and the Hoheikyo Dam Liner (Jozankei information centre, 011-598-2012).

Before you go: bears, winter tyres, and snow on the passes

The thing to mind on an autumn walk is bears. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office reports that acorns such as Mongolian oak are running short this autumn of 2026 (Hokkaido Regional Forest Office), which can bring bears searching for food down close to towns. On trails like Hangetsu Lake and Shinsennuma, carry a bear bell and avoid walking alone. You can check current sightings on the prefecture's Higuma Map (Hokkaido Higuma Map). The other thing is the roads. By late October, snow and icy surfaces start on the higher passes such as Nakayama. If you are crossing a pass to Lake Toya or Jozankei by car, get winter tyres sorted early. We cover winter driving in before your first Niseko trip.

FAQ

Can you still see autumn leaves around Niseko in 2026?

Yes. The summits of Mt Yotei and Niseko Annupuri are late, past their first snow, but Hangetsu Lake, Jozankei and Hoheikyo Dam are right at peak in mid-October, and the Lake Toya shoreline comes into peak through late October.

Can you get to the colour without a car?

Hangetsu Lake is reachable by bus and a short walk from JR Kutchan Station. Shinsennuma and Hoheikyo Dam, though, have limited public transport, so a car moves you around more easily. For car-free options, see can you get around Niseko without a car?

Can you combine the leaves with an onsen?

You can. Niseko, Jozankei and Lake Toya all have hot springs. The baths on the Niseko side are in our 14 recommended Niseko hot springs.

The colour is gone within a few weeks. If you can move this weekend, start with Hangetsu Lake, the closest of them.

— Niseko Hub Editorial Team