Column / 2019.10.29

YOLO JAPAN's questionnaire revealed that foreigners' number one spot to view autumn leaves is Hakone

Even if there is no culture surrounding autumn leaves in their country, 99% of foreign nationals answered that they would like to make a trip to see them this year.

According to a recent questionnaire conducted by YOLO JAPAN, operator of Japan's largest media outlet for foreigners in Japan, the spot that foreigners living in Japan most want to visit to view autumn leaves is Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture.
※ Questionnaire period: September 2, 2019 - September 31, 2019
Number of valid responses: 551 people from 70 different countries

The next most popular spots were Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture), Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture), and Kinkakuji (Kyoto Prefecture), which are popular destinations among Japanese people as well. Many people expressed a desire to visit nearby spots, or spots they could visit on a day trip, so the top three autumn leaf viewing destinations are all near big cities.

Top 10 most popular spots to view autumn leaves in Japan

1. Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture (192 votes)

"I heard that this place has the most beautiful scenery in Japan. Besides autumn leaves, Hakone has temples, parks, lakes, and is full of nature, so I really want to go. I love that Japan has a culture of enjoying and appreciating nature." (Namibia, female, 20s)
"No spot has more vivid fall leaves than Hakone!" (Philippines, female, 20s)

2. Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture (191 votes)

"It's surrounded by forest and there are a lot of trees, so the fall leaves are especially beautiful! I'm interested in Nikko because it has Lake Chuzenji, Yumoto hot spring, and lots of other places to enjoy. My country has fall leaves too, but Japan is interesting because the color of the leaves is totally different depending on the area and climate." (Nepal, male, 20s)

3. Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture (156 votes)

"I've been to Miyajima before, but I want to go again because I think it's the most beautiful tourist spot in Japan. I haven't been in the fall yet, but I'm sure it's even more beautiful!" (Uruguay, male, 40s)
"I live in Hiroshima and Miyajima is nearby, but I've never been before so I'm interested. I heard that there are also tourist attractions around there besides fall leaves, so I'd like to go!" (Namibia, female, 20s)

3 (tie). Kinkakuji, Kyoto Prefecture (156 votes)

"I went to Kinkakuji during last year's Obon holiday. The view of the golden temple with the red leaves was the most beautiful of any place I've visitied in the fall." (Philippines, female, 20s)
"I'm sure that the color of the leaves and the gold of the temple must shine together, so I'd like to go." (Ukraine, female, 30s)

The next best ranked spots were Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, near Mount Fuji, followed by Kenrokuen in Ishikawa Prefecture, and Todaiji in Nara Prefecture. We concluded that, along with the autumn leaves, participants wanted to enjoy famous tourist spots representative of Japan.

5. Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture (104 votes)

"I like that at Kawaguchiko you can enjoy a view of the leaves and Mount Fuji at the same time, so I'd like to go." (Philippines, male, 30s)
"You can enjoy the lake, Mount Fuji, and the leaves all at once, and I heard that there is also delicious food and many different kinds of accommodations in Kawaguchiko, so I'm looking forward to going." (Brazil, male, 20s)

6. Kenrokuen, Ishikawa Prefecture (87 votes)

"I've been to many places to see fall leaves in Japan, but I haven't been to Kenrokuen. When I saw pictures it looked like such a nice, calming place, so I'd like to go." (Germany, female, 30s)

7. Todaiji, Nara Prefecture (77 votes)
"It's close to where I live, so I go with my family every fall. There are fall leaves in my country too, but there aren't famous places to go see them like there are in Japan." (Philippines, female, 40s)
"I've been before and I really liked it, so next time I want to take my family." (USA, female, 30s)

Number 8 and below are the dawn redwood trees of Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Korankei in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and Oirase Stream in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The famous autumn leaf viewing spots in each region received attention.

8. Dawn redwood trees, Shiga Prefecture (75 votes)

"Like the name suggests (referring to the red leaves) it's a great spot to experience the fall. There are fall leaves in my country too, but the color is not as beautiful as it is here." (Jamaica, female, 20s)
"I've never been, but it got great reviews online, so I'd really like to go. My country doesn't have four seasons, so I think if everyone came to Japan they could enjoy the fall leaves all over the country like I do." (Indonesia, female, 20s)

9. Korankei, Aichi Prefecture (43 votes)

"Korankei is close to my house, and the scenery is really beautiful, so I'd like to go. In Brazil, we don't have the culture of viewing fall leaves, but I always watched videos on YouTube and became interested." (Brazil, male, 30s)

Answers provided by YOLO JAPAN members

10. Oirase Stream, Aomori Prefecture (21 votes)

"My friend told me about it, and the pictures looked really nice. I think it's a less known place because I'd never heard of it before, and it seems like a nice quiet atmosphere." (Philippines, female, 30s)
"I want to go to Oirase Stream because there are beautiful waterfalls and fall leaves, and I love hiking in the mountains. It's my husband's first year in Japan, so I want to enjoy the culture of viewing fall leaves together." (USA, female, 30s)

Through this questionnaire we learned that despite most people reporting that their country doesn't have autumn leaf viewing culture (60%) or spots to view autumn leaves (70%), almost all foreigners (99%) expressed a desire to go see autumn leaves this year, indicating a strong interest in Japan's autumn leaf culture among foreigners. The figure breaks down to people who have plans to go (70%), and people who don't have plans to go but would like to (29%). Furthermore, more than half of the people who have plans to go see autumn leaves reported that they plan to invite family or friends from their home country to Japan during the autumn season.

As for the reason Japanese autumn leaves are so popular, participants reported an appreciation for Japan's richness of nature and the changing of the four seasons, the ease of being able to enjoy the leaves nearby popular tourist spots or in their hometowns, and for the autumn leaves' established place in Japanese culture.

"Japan has a different kind of fall leaves. We have four seasons in Pakistan too, but I like Japan because the views are completely different depending on the area." (Pakistan, male 20s)
"In my country we don't really stop to look at the fall leaves. The leaves just turn brown or yellow, there are no vivid colors like the red and orange leaves in Japan." (Belgium, femals, 20s)
"Japan's four seasons are more distinct than in America, so the fall leaves feel even more special. Where I'm from it changes from hot to cold very quickly, so we don't really have time to enjoy the fall." (America, female, 30s)
"In Uruguay, the places with pretty fall leaves are in the countryside. There are no tourist attractions or accomodations there, so it's not fun to go." (Uruguay, male, 40s)

The following popular overseas spots were also selected by those who have autumn leaf viewing spots in their countries (30%).

Brazilian user's recommended spot: Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
American user's recommended spot: Aspen, Colorado, USA
Indian user's recommended spot: Kashmir (India/Pakistan border)
Korean user's recommended spot: Mount Seorak, Gangwon, South Korea

YOLO JAPAN will continue to conduct surveys and refer to the opinions given while expanding our services in order to better support foreigners living in Japan.