Chasing Autumn Colors─A Camping Car Journey Through Chubu, Tokai & Hokuriku: Foliage, Hot Springs & Starry Skies
As autumn deepens, the Japanese archipelago is enveloped in vibrant colors from north to south. Among them, the Chubu, Tokai, and Hokuriku regions are exceptional areas where you can enjoy autumn foliage for approximately three months, from mountain peaks reaching 3,000 meters to coastal lines. For exploring this vast territory, a camping car journey offers the ultimate freedom. Without being bound by hotel reservations, you can move according to peak foliage times, soak in hot springs to refresh yourself, and gaze at starlit skies from light-pollution-free locations. Why not embark on such a luxurious autumn journey?
In Chūbu, autumn colors start in the high mountains and descend into the lowlands. Peak periods spread from mid-October to early December. The curves show the relative “foliage intensity” over time—use it to plan your trip.
Chūbu Foliage Peak Curves (2025)
Smooth, bell-shaped curves visualize each spot’s peak and shoulder periods. Hover for “Best Window”.
【Shizuoka・Sumatakyo】Spectacular Autumn Colors Reflected in Emerald Waters
Sumatakyo Gorge in Kawanehon Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a renowned spot where you can enjoy the beauty of the valley at the foothills of the Southern Alps. The main attraction is the 90-meter-long “Dream Suspension Bridge.” The autumn foliage viewed from this bridge over the emerald green lake is truly breathtaking. From late October to early December, maples and oaks turn red and yellow, creating a fantastical landscape with stunning contrast against the lake water.
From Ozakizaka Observatory, you can overlook the entire gorge, and early mornings when mist lingers in the valley are the golden hour for photography. With a camping car, you can stay overnight nearby and capture the perfect shot in the silent, empty morning. At night, there’s also illumination at Zoriishi Park, allowing you to enjoy different expressions of the scenery day and night.
The surrounding area has historic hot spring resorts such as Umegashima Onsen and Shuzenji Onsen. RV Park Shizuoka (Sun Friend Yuyu no Sato) in Izu no Kuni City is Shizuoka Prefecture’s first certified RV park, offering spacious parking spaces and an adjacent day-trip hot spring spa. It serves as an excellent base for relaxing after autumn foliage walks.
【Aichi・Korankei】Valley Painted by 4,000 Maple Trees
Korankei, Aichi Prefecture’s representative autumn foliage spot, is located in Asuke Town, Toyota City. Approximately 4,000 maple trees are planted along the Tomoe River, and from mid to late November, the entire valley is dyed in fiery red. The autumn foliage shining in early morning sunlight is especially photogenic, and the “upside-down foliage” reflected on the river surface is also unmissable.
Nighttime illumination transforms the scenery into a mystical view, presenting a serene and mysterious beauty in contrast to daytime vibrancy. However, during peak foliage season, crowds are inevitable, so if visiting by camping car, targeting early mornings or weekdays is wise.
Nearby Inabu Onsen “Donguri no Yu” is a day-trip hot spring facility attached to Michi no Eki “Donguri no Sato Inabu,” with a large parking lot where overnight parking is possible. You can view autumn foliage in the Inabu mountains from the indoor bath, making it a popular stopover point. Additionally, Hotel Mikawa Kaiyokaku in Miya Onsen has RV Park “Kaiyokaku,” offering hot springs and spectacular open-air baths for 4,000 yen per night.
【Mie・Mount Gozaisho】Long-season Foliage Relay Created by Elevation Difference
Mount Gozaisho in Komono Town, Mie Prefecture, is known as the main peak of the Suzuka Mountain Range at 1,212 meters elevation. Taking advantage of this elevation difference, autumn foliage can be enjoyed for an extended period from mid-October at the summit to late November at the base, which is the greatest feature.
Momijidani (Maple Valley) viewed from the ropeway is magnificent, with the gradient of red and yellow spreading below taking your breath away. From the mountain park, you can see all the way to Ise Bay, and on clear days, you can even glimpse Mount Fuji in the distance. The colors woven by diverse tree species such as maple, Iroha maple, lacquer tree, and beech are nature’s art itself.
The Yunoyama Onsen area at the base is also decorated with autumn foliage, and in 2023, “RV Park smart Yunoyama Onsen” was established. Access is excellent, just 7 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway Komono IC. You can slowly savor the afterglow of autumn foliage while warming up in the hot springs.
【Gifu・Enakyo & Shirakawa-go】Harmony of Artificial & Natural, Cultural & Foliage
In Gifu Prefecture, let’s visit two spots with different attractions. First is Enakyo Gorge in Nakatsugawa City. The experience of viewing autumn foliage while cruising the emerald green gorge by sightseeing boat is exceptional. The landscape woven by red maples and oaks against strange rocks and yellow kunugi oaks along the shore is truly like a brocade painting. Peak viewing is around mid-November, and the foliage reflected on the water surface makes an excellent photographic subject.
Nearby Enakyo Onsen offers scenery where autumn foliage and hot springs are integrated. Additionally, this area is famous as the birthplace of kuri kinton (chestnut paste confection), with prestigious shops like “Suya Honten” and “Kawakami-ya” beginning to sell kuri kinton from early September. The simple and elegant taste made only from chestnuts and sugar is truly the pinnacle of autumn flavors.
Meanwhile, at the UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village, you’ll encounter the original Japanese landscape woven by thatched roofs and autumn-colored mountains. From late October to early November, maples and oaks turn colors, and the view of the entire village from the observatory is an autumn-exclusive spectacular view. At the Gassho-zukuri Folk Village, autumn foliage illumination is also held, allowing photography of the fantastical night view with illuminated thatched houses.
If lucky, you might see the three-layer color contrast of clear blue sky, first snowfall, and autumn foliage all at once. RV Park Hida Manga Okoku (Miyagawa Town, Hida City) offers all-you-can-read access to 42,000 manga volumes and unlimited hot spring bathing for 1,500 yen per night. It’s perfect as a base for Hida Furukawa sightseeing.
【Toyama・Kurobe Gorge & Gokayama】Japan’s Deepest V-shaped Gorge and World Heritage Performance
In Toyama Prefecture, first head to Kurobe Gorge, known as “Japan’s deepest V-shaped gorge.” The gorge beauty viewed while swaying on the trolley train reaches its climax in early November when maples and oaks are dyed red and yellow. The contrast with the emerald color of the Kurobe River is magnificent, with abundant photography spots along the line including Shin-Yamabiko Bridge.
Unazuki Onsen, the base for Kurobe Gorge sightseeing, has Michi no Eki “KOKO Kurobe” with a large parking lot and foot bath. Many ryokans offer day-trip bathing, making it easy to stop by on the way back from gorge foliage viewing.
Gokayama Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village is also a World Heritage autumn foliage spot with peak viewing from mid-October to mid-November. The scenery of mountain slopes dyed red and yellow decorating the gassho-zukuri village is the very essence of Japan’s original landscape. Like Shirakawa-go, if lucky, you can see the performance of first snow and autumn foliage together. To capture this spectacular view, planning that matches first snow forecasts with peak foliage timing is key.
“Natural Hot Spring Yumegokochi” in Toyama City has an RV park attached with excellent access about 5 minutes from Tateyama IC, offering comfortable overnight camping with electricity and water facilities.
【Ishikawa・Kenrokuen】Harmony of Kaga Million-Koku Garden Beauty and Autumn Foliage
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is renowned as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. From mid to late November, maples and fan maples color the garden. The autumn foliage reflected in Kasumigaike Pond and its collaboration with Kotojitoro Lantern create scenery unique to Kanazawa.
The period when yukitsuri (snow protection ropes) preparations progress often overlaps with peak foliage, making the contrast between Japan’s traditional winter preparations and autumn foliage picturesque. Nighttime illumination is implemented, allowing enjoyment of night photography using water mirrors and capturing colors highlighted by lighting.
Kaga Onsen-kyo’s Yamashiro Onsen and Yamanaka Onsen are well-equipped with communal baths and soyu (public bathhouses), with spacious municipal parking lots safe for large vehicles. Nearby Kakusenkei Gorge autumn foliage spot allows for a hot spring-filled journey. Additionally, “Michi no Eki Korogaki no Sato Shika” in Shika Town has RV Park Shika attached, with adjacent hot spring facility “Aquapark Sea-on” offering open-air baths overlooking the Sea of Japan.
Kanazawa’s wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) culture shouldn’t be missed. “Shibafune Koide” sells autumn-limited “Imohyoe” dorayaki and “Luxurious Montblanc Made by Wagashi Artisan” from around October 1st. “Rakugan Moroeya” displays autumn sweets from late September, perfect as companions for autumn foliage viewing.
【Fukui・Kuzuryu Lake】Foliage and Celestial Collaboration in a Starry Sky Sanctuary
Kuzuryu Lake in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture, is this man-made lake surrounded by mountains, and is also a celestial observation sanctuary with a track record of being selected as “Japan’s Most Beautiful Starry Sky” for two consecutive years in the Ministry of Environment’s starry sky survey.
Autumn foliage reaches its peak from early to mid-November, and the sight of lakeside maples and lacquer trees reflecting on the water surface is fantastical. Particularly, the box-shaped bridge called “Dream Bridge” is popular as a photo spot with its silhouette harmonizing with autumn foliage.
Enjoying autumn foliage during the day and gazing at the starry sky at night—this is the real pleasure of camping car travel. At the lakeside with almost no city lights, you can enjoy stars seemingly pouring down.
“RV Park Kobase” in Echizen Town faces Umeura Beach, a scenic spot selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunsets. The large bath’s big window overlooks the Sea of Japan, allowing you to soak in hot springs while viewing the setting sun and night fishing fires. Additionally, “RV Park M.C.Resort” in Tsuruga City has excellent access 15 minutes from Tsuruga IC, with unlimited access to the hotel’s hot springs during your stay.
Premium Autumn Experiences Only a Camping Car Can Offer
Hot Spring Luxury
Many RV parks and michi no eki stations are attached to hot spring facilities, and being able to warm up in hot springs immediately after autumn foliage walks is a great attraction. At “RV Park Wing Hills Manten no Yu” in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, you can bathe free of charge as many times as you like in quality hydrogen carbonate spring at 1,000 meters elevation. Visiting secluded hot springs like Omaki Onsen in Toyama, accessible only by boat, is also a unique way to enjoy camping car travel unrestricted by time.
Starry Sky and Sunset Hunting
Camping cars that can freely move to mountainous areas and coastlines with little light pollution are perfect for astronomical observation. Kuzuryu Lake and Rokuroshi Kogen in Fukui Prefecture, and the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture are known as “starry sky sanctuaries,” and especially in autumn, the air is clear and the Milky Way is clearly visible.
For sunset viewing, at Amaharashi Coast in Toyama Prefecture, watch the sunset over the Sea of Japan with the Tateyama Mountain Range as backdrop, or at Echizen Coast’s Hokoshima in Fukui Prefecture, the sunset over “Echizen’s Mont Saint-Michel.” Ending the day with spectacular views and then falling asleep right there in your vehicle—such luxurious travel is only possible with a camping car.
Color Vertical Traverse Strategy in Practice
Autumn foliage in this region begins in mid-September in the alpine zones of Toyama and Gifu, continuing until early December in the plains of Aichi and Mie. With a camping car, you can perfectly execute this “color vertical traverse” strategy. Starting from Mount Tateyama’s Murodo Plateau in late September, moving to the valley beauty of Kurobe Gorge and Enakyo in October, and finishing with urban-type foliage in Kanazawa and Korankei in November. Always chasing the best viewing times—truly the ideal form for foliage hunters.
🍁 Chubu-Hokuriku RV Autumn Foliage FAQ
2025 Chubu Region Autumn Foliage Guide
Explore stunning views in Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Gifu, Toyama, Ishikawa & Fukui
Detailed Autumn Foliage Spots by Prefecture
Shizuoka: Sumatakyo
Best viewing: Late October – Early December
The contrast between emerald green lake surface and autumn foliage is spectacular. The view from “Dream Suspension Bridge” is thrilling yet unmissably beautiful.
Aichi: Korankei
Best viewing: Mid to Late November
Famous for its overwhelming foliage tunnel created by approximately 4,000 maple trees. Nighttime illumination is also fantastical, enjoyable day and night.
Mie: Gozaisho Ropeway
Best viewing: Mid-October – Late November
Due to elevation difference, foliage descends from summit to base over about 1.5 months. Enjoy the color gradation while experiencing an aerial walk.
Gifu: Shirakawa-go
Best viewing: Late October – Mid-November
The World Heritage gassho-zukuri village embraced by golden mountains is Japan’s original landscape itself. The view from the observatory is exceptional.
Toyama: Kurobe Gorge
Best viewing: Late October – Mid-November
Enjoy autumn foliage coloring cliff walls of Japan’s deepest V-shaped gorge while riding the trolley train. The dynamic scenery of untouched nature approaching is attractive.
Ishikawa: Kenrokuen
Best viewing: Mid to Late November
One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Perfectly calculated garden beauty fuses with autumn foliage, spreading scenery like a single painting. The combination of yukitsuri and foliage is also atmospheric.
Fukui: Kuzuryu Lake
Best viewing: Late October – Mid-November
Primeval beech and maple forests color the surroundings of this grand lake. The view from “Dream Bridge” over the lake is a spectacular scene where lake surface and foliage unite.
Beyond the Journey Dyed in Autumn Colors
Touring autumn foliage in the Chubu, Tokai, and Hokuriku regions isn’t just about visiting scenic spots. Long-period foliage relay utilizing elevation differences, fusion with hot spring culture, starry skies and spectacular sunsets, and even locally rooted wagashi culture. With the freedom of a camping car, you can experience all of these at your own pace and at the perfect timing.
Autumn foliage reflected in emerald lake surfaces, brocade autumn decorating World Heritage villages, red and yellow dyeing Japan’s deepest V-shaped gorge, Kaga million-koku garden beauty, and celestial shows at starry sky sanctuaries. This autumn, why not travel the autumn foliage roads of Chubu, Tokai, and Hokuriku with your beloved vehicle, feeling the deepening of autumn with all five senses? The brocade autumn scenery viewed from car windows, from hot springs, and under starry skies will surely become memories of a lifetime.
