MarchAutumn Leaves · Tokyo & Around
Kochia at Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachinaka, IbarakiPark🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Overview
Overview
Round kochia bushes turn a whole hillside bright red in Ibaraki's signature autumn scene. In 2026, kochia has been planted not only on Miharashi Hill but also in Miharashi Village at its foot, so you can enjoy about 40,000 red plants stretching up to the hill.
- Address
- 605-4 Oaza Mawatari Aza Onuma, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki (Miharashi Hill and Miharashi Village, Hitachi Seaside Park)
- Closed
- Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday). Open every day in October
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for the kochia hill alone. Half a day to explore the whole park
- Official website
- https://www.hitachikaihin.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakMid-October to late October in 2026 (official)
September
October
November
December
The official website announced that the kochia reached their best on 10/10 in 2026. The peak color usually lasts about 1 week to 10 days, so check the latest information on the official website before you go
🍁 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 kochia are green in summer and turn red in autumn. In 2026 there are about 40,000 plants on Miharashi Hill and in Miharashi Village. On Miharashi Hill, yellow cosmos (about 2.7 million plants, mid-September to late October) bloom at the same time, creating a red-and-yellow landscape.
📷 Best views
Miharashi Hill
A hill covered with kochia and yellow cosmos
Miharashi Village
In 2026, kochia was planted in what used to be a buckwheat field, in a layout that continues up to the hill
Hours
Opening hours
9/1–10/319:30–17:00
11/1–end of February9:30–16:30
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Adults (high school students and older)¥450
¥800 during the seasonal fee period (10/9–11/3, 2026)
Seniors (65 and over)¥210
¥560 during the seasonal fee period (10/9–11/3, 2026)
Junior high school students and youngerFree
Parking (regular car, per day)¥600
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The park is large, so wear comfortable walking shoes
- ✓You can also enjoy the autumn roses at the Hitachi Rose Garden (late October to early November)
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Katsuta Station (JR Joban Line)About 15 min by Ibaraki Kotsu bus or taxi
- From major stations & airports
- Tokyo Station: JR Joban Line limited express to Katsuta Station, then Ibaraki Kotsu bus or taxi (About 85 min to Katsuta Station by limited express)
- By car & parking
- Paid parking at the park (regular car ¥600 per day). By car, about 1 km from Hitachi Seaside Park IC on the Hitachinaka Toll Road
- Getting back
- On weekends at the peak, roads and buses are also crowded on the way back, so allow plenty of time
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On weekends and public holidays at the peak, the entrance gates, parking lots and surrounding roads get very crowded. The park itself asks visitors to spread out their visits to avoid the crowds
- Quieter times
- Weekdays, right after opening
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- Normals for Mito: October high 21.2°C, low 12.5°C; November high 16.3°C, low 5.9°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
- What to wear & bring
- The seaside hill is windy and feels colder than the temperature suggests, so bring a jacket you can throw on
Events
Events & festivals in Central Tokyo
March
AprilBunkyo Azalea Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April
MaySanja Matsuri
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)
JulySumida River Fireworks Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyShiman-rokusen-nichi / Hoozuki Market
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
AugustTokyo Koenji Awa-Odori
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)
NovemberTori-no-Ichi
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day
2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)
November–FebruaryMarunouchi Illumination
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberHagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")
2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)
Attractions
Attractions in Central Tokyo
Theme parkTokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Located in Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, this resort centers on two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. It’s about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line, close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo. Park tickets are date-specific with variable pricing and must be bought in advance on the official website or official app.
Advance, date-specific tickets required
Studio tourWarner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
This indoor walk-through attraction takes you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. It opened in June 2023 on the former site of Toshimaen. There are no rides; instead, you explore sets, props, and costumes on foot at your own pace.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkSanrio Puroland
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Tama
A fully indoor theme park where you can meet Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters. Parades, musical shows, rides, and character greetings are packed into a four-story building, so you can enjoy a full day regardless of the weather.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
ExperienceteamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Toyosu
An immersive museum by the art collective teamLab where you walk barefoot into the artworks. It's a series of vast spaces, including works you wade through water to experience, where your whole body becomes one with the art. It's scheduled to run until the end of 2027.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ZooUeno Zoological Gardens
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Ueno
Japan's oldest zoo, located inside Ueno Park. With affordable admission, it's a central Tokyo zoo that's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums.
AquariumSumida Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Oshiage / Tokyo Skytree Town
An urban aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. It's entirely indoors and directly connected to the station, so you can drop by whatever the weather. It stays open into the evening, making it easy to pair with the Skytree observation decks or sightseeing in Asakusa.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
AquariumKamogawa Sea World
Tokyo & Around ・ Kamogawa, Chiba
An aquarium on the Pacific coast of the Boso Peninsula where you can see performances by four species: orcas, belugas, dolphins, and sea lions. Admission includes all performances. It's about 2 hours from Tokyo Station by the Limited Express Wakashio or the direct Akushi-go highway bus (アクシー号), so it works as a day trip.
Amusement parkYomiuriland
Tokyo & Around ・ Inagi
An amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with something to enjoy year-round: pools in summer and illuminations in winter. Inside the park is PokéPark KANTO, an area where more than 600 Pokémon live. It's about 10 minutes from Keio-yomiuri-land Station by the Sky Shuttle gondola.
AquariumSunshine Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Ikebukuro
An urban aquarium on the roof of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City. Themed as an oasis in the sky, it consists of indoor exhibits on two floors and the outdoor Marine Garden. It's within walking distance of Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro stations, making it easy to drop by between other Tokyo sightseeing.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Tokyo & Around
Lake🍁 Typical peak
Lake🍁 Typical peakMomiji Corridor, Lake Kawaguchi
Tokyo & Around ・ Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi
🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Mid Nov
✦ Illumination
Park🍁 Typical peak
Garden
Mountain & highland
Garden
Temple
Park
Temple
GardenKoishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
🍁 Typical peak: Late Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
Garden
TempleHasedera Temple (Kamakura)
Tokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima
🍁 Typical peak: Late Nov – Mid Dec
✦ Illumination
Peak 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: 2026-10-18