Plum Gardens in Autumn: Fall Colors at Kairakuen, Atami Baien, Kenrokuen and Okayama Korakuen

Plum-viewing spots are often thought to go quiet once the blossom season ends. But many of them are landscaped gardens and parks with plenty to see in autumn too. Here we introduce autumn at four places known for ume, using information checked on each official website.

Dates are for 2026. They may change depending on how the leaves turn, so check the official websites before you go.

Kairakuen (Mito, Ibaraki): Illuminated Maple Valley

Kairakuen is famous for its plum festival. According to Kairakuen, about 170 maples turn color in autumn in the garden's "Momiji-dani" (maple valley).

• Illumination: scheduled for Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 29, 2026, from sunset to 21:00
• The period may change depending on the autumn colors; any changes will be announced on Kairakuen's website.

Atami Baien (Atami, Shizuoka): Late Autumn Leaves and Early Plum Blossoms

Atami Baien is a plum garden opened in 1886, and Atami City describes it as having "Japan's earliest plum blossoms" and "Japan's latest autumn leaves." Of its 469 trees of 60 varieties, the first flower is said to open every year between mid-November and early December. If you visit in the autumn-leaf season, you may also catch the start of the plum season.

• Admission is free (except during the paid period of the plum festival from January to March).
• About 15 minutes by bus from JR Atami Station, then about 2 minutes on foot from the "Baien" bus stop. About 10 minutes on foot from Kinomiya Station on the JR Ito Line.

Kenrokuen (Kanazawa, Ishikawa): Autumn Leaves and Snow Ropes

According to Kenrokuen, the autumn leaves are at their best in November. You can enjoy different scenes in different parts of the garden: Mount Yamazaki with its maples and zelkovas, the waterside of Kasumigaike and Hisagoike ponds, and the mountains toward Mount Io seen from the viewpoint.

Every year in early November, work begins on the "yukitsuri" (snow ropes) that protect the pines from winter snow, starting with the Karasaki pine, and you can watch the work in the garden until around mid-December.

Okayama Korakuen (Okayama City): Autumn Fantasy Garden

At Okayama Korakuen, the special night opening "Aki no Gensō Teien" (Autumn Fantasy Garden) lights up the maple grove and other areas during the season when the leaves are most beautiful.

• 2026: Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 29, with opening hours extended to 20:30 (last entry 20:00)

Staying Overnight in Autumn

During the autumn-leaf and illumination season, you can stay at these gardens into the evening. Staying nearby lets you enjoy them without worrying about the time to head home. Each garden's page also introduces nearby places to stay and how to get there.

For plum-season spots, see the plum blossom map; for the best times to visit, see the plum blossom calendar.