Nikko Irohazaka Autumn Leaves 2026
Last updated: July 28, 2026. Typical viewing times and details below are compiled from official park, temple, city and tourism-association websites (linked at the end of this page). The dates of annual night light-ups are set each year — check the official site before you travel.
Irohazaka is the winding gateway to Oku-Nikko, a pair of one-way mountain roads with 48 hairpin curves and about 440 m of elevation gain, and it is celebrated as Nikko's most beautiful place to see the autumn leaves.
Key Facts
| Typical peak | Mid-October to early November |
|---|---|
| Best months | October–November |
| Location | Nikko, Tochigi |
| Nearest station | Tobu Nikko Station / JR Nikko Station (then bus toward Chuzenji Onsen) |
| Admission | Free to drive; the Akechidaira Ropeway to the observation platform is paid. |
| Night light-up | No autumn night light-up |
| Official site | https://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/9 |
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Highlights
- 48 lettered hairpin curves climbing through steadily changing bands of autumn color
- The uphill Second Irohazaka and downhill First Irohazaka, each with its own overlooks
- Kurokamidaira and Akechidaira viewpoints framing the switchbacks below
Where to See the Autumn Leaves
Akechidaira Observation Platform (Paid)
Reached from Akechidaira on the Second Irohazaka, this overlook opens onto Kegon Falls and the foliage-colored ridgelines; the platform is served by a ropeway.
Akechidaira Ropeway station on the Second (uphill) Irohazaka route.
Kurokamidaira Viewpoint (Free)
A midway pull-off on the uphill road looking out over layered, color-changing mountains toward the Nikko townscape in the distance.
On the Second (uphill) Irohazaka, below Akechidaira; roadside stop, no charge.
Getting There
By car via the First and Second Irohazaka roads between central Nikko and Chuzenji; buses toward Chuzenji Onsen also climb the route. Normal drive time is about 20 minutes but can reach 2-3 hours at peak foliage.
Crowd & Timing Tips
- During the mid-October to early-November peak, expect congestion roughly 9:00-15:00 with travel times that can exceed three hours.
- On weekends and holidays, leaving before 7:00 makes for a much smoother climb.
About Nikko Irohazaka
Each of the 48 curves is marked in order with a character of the old Japanese iroha syllabary, which gives the road its name.
See more autumn-leaf spots: Kanto Autumn Leaves 2026 · Japan Autumn Leaves Guide 2026