January–FebruaryChitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
Autumn Leaves · Hokkaido
Jozankei Onsen
Jozankei, SapporoHot spring town🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Overview
Overview
A hot spring town along a gorge, less than an hour by car from central Sapporo. In October the gorge turns into a brocade of color, and you can enjoy hot springs and autumn leaves in one trip.
- Address
- Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours to walk around the hot spring town and the Futami Jozan no Michi trail
- Official website
- https://jozankei.jp/
Area weather
SapporoWeather and what to wear in Sapporo →Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookJozankei, Hoheikyo & Lake Toya Autumn Leaves Day Tour (from Sapporo)Autumn-season bus tour from JR Sapporo Station North Exit to Jozankei, Hoheikyo Dam and Lake Toya. A plan with lunch is also availableView on Klook- PRKlookJozankei, Hoheikyo, Lake Shikotsu & Yuni Garden Autumn Day Tour (from Sapporo)Autumn-season bus tour from Sapporo to Hoheikyo Dam by electric bus, Jozankei Futami Park, Lake Shikotsu and Yuni GardenView on Klook
- PRKlookHoheikyo, Jozankei, Lake Toya & Showa-shinzan Day Tour (from Sapporo)Bus tour from central Sapporo to Hoheikyo, Jozankei, Lake Toya, Showa-shinzan and Fukidashi Park. Guide, attraction admission and the Hoheikyo electric bus ticket includedView on Klook
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually mid- to late October
September
October
November
December
As of Oct 18, 2026, the Jozankei Tourism Association reports colors fading in the hot spring town and at Mt. Hakken, and leaves starting to fall at Hoheikyo Dam and other areas. Check its autumn leaves updates for the latest colors
🍁 These spots are in their typical peak period. Actual colors shift with each year’s temperatures, so check the official foliage updates too.
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The classic view is the autumn leaves in the gorge seen from the bright red Futami Suspension Bridge, the symbol of the hot spring town. Other highlights are scattered around, including the cliffs of Kappa-buchi, home to a kappa legend, the Futami Jozan no Michi trail along the Toyohira River, and Hoheikyo Dam, where Senjo-iwa rock and the autumn leaves make a powerful scene.
📷 Best views
Futami Suspension Bridge
The red suspension bridge that symbolizes the hot spring town. On the Futami Jozan no Michi trail, looking down on the autumn leaves in the gorge
Kappa-buchi
A cliff towering over Futami-iwa rock, with autumn leaves. A pool where a kappa legend lives on
Futami Jozan no Michi
A nature trail along the Toyohira River. Enjoy the autumn leaves as you walk through the forest
Hoheikyo Dam
A dramatic landscape of the Senjo-iwa rock face and red and yellow autumn leaves
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The autumn leaves gondola (Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort) runs only from late September to mid-October. You can also enjoy the view from the mountaintop
Access
Getting there
- From major stations & airports
- Central Sapporo: Car (Less than 1 hour)
- Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino: Kappa Liner shuttle bus (reservation required)
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- Roads and parking lots around the hot spring town get busy on weekends in the autumn leaves season
- Quieter times
- Weekday mornings
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- October normals for Sapporo: high 16.4°C, low 8.0°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Jozankei is in the mountains and colder than central Sapporo
- What to wear & bring
- Mornings and evenings are cold, so bring a layer such as a light down jacket or fleece
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Jozankei OnsenPR
PR9.1花もみじ
★★★★Check rates on Agoda6,146 reviews0.4 km from center
PR9.1定山渓第一寶亭留 翠山亭
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda2,478 reviews0.4 km from center
PR8.0定山渓ビューホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,853 reviews0.2 km from center
PR9.4定山渓温泉 ぬくもりの宿 ふる川
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,203 reviews0.5 km from center
PR8.4定山渓 鹿の湯
★★★★Check rates on Agoda2,719 reviews0.3 km from center
PR9.0章月グランドホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,024 reviews0.3 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Sapporo
January–February
FebruarySapporo Snow Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early February (about one week)
2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days
MaySapporo Lilac Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
JuneYOSAKOI Soran Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
JuneHokkaido Jingu Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)
July–AugustSapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)
September–OctoberSapporo Autumn Fest
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)
2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)
November–MarchSapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)
2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)
November–DecemberMunich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)
2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Attractions
Attractions in Sapporo
ZooSapporo Maruyama Zoo
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama
Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.
AquariumAOAO SAPPORO
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji
An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ExperienceShiroi Koibito Park
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.
ExperienceHOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE
Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima
A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido
Mountain & highland
Lake
Hot spring town
Gorge
Castle
Avenue & old town🍁 Typical peakHokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue
Hokkaido ・ Hokkaido University, Sapporo
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Garden🍁 Typical peakMiharashi Park (Kosetsuen Garden)
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Early Nov
✦ IlluminationNow on
Park🍁 Typical peak
Lake🍁 Typical peakPeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-19