Autumn in Shuzenji: maple leaves, evening light-ups and a hot bath (2026 season)
Izu's maples turn late, from mid-November into December. Where to see them around Shuzenji, the 2026 light-up dates announced so far, and where to warm up afterwards.
- Peak colour
- Usually late November to early December
- Nijinosato light-up 2026
- 7 Nov to 13 Dec, 17:00 to 21:00 (as reported; check official site)
- Access
- Shuzenji Station (Izuhakone Railway), then bus about 10 min to the onsen town
While Kyoto's maples peak in mid to late November, the Izu Peninsula is still mostly green. Its mild, sea-tempered climate pushes the colours later: around Shuzenji, in the hills at the centre of the peninsula, the leaves usually turn from late November to early December, and in recent warm autumns they have held into mid-December. That makes Shuzenji one of the last good maple trips within easy reach of Tokyo, and it comes with an onsen town attached.
Shuzenji Nature Park: the maple forest
The maple forest in Shuzenji Nature Park (修善寺自然公園もみじ林) holds roughly 1,000 maple trees on a hillside west of the onsen town. On clear days you can see Mount Fuji beyond the leaves. Japanese seasonal guides give the usual peak as late November to early December; Weathernews publishes live colour reports for the spot from September each year, which are the best way to time a visit.
Shuzenji Nijinosato: maples after dark
Next to the nature park, the Shuzenji Nijinosato theme park lights up its own maple grove in the evening. For 2026 the park's winter illumination, Illumi the Night 2026, runs on opening days from 10 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with fireworks announced for 14, 22 and 28 November at 19:30. Press coverage of the announcement gives the maple light-up as 7 November to 13 December 2026, 17:00 to 21:00; for comparison, the 2025 light-up ran from 15 November to 14 December. Tickets for the evening are sold separately from daytime entry, and prices differ between periods, so check the park's official site before you go. Events can be cancelled in bad weather.
The onsen town itself
Shuzenji Onsen follows the Katsura River for a few hundred metres. The maples and the bamboo along the river path are lit in the evening during the autumn season (in 2025, from mid-November to early December, from sunset until late evening), and the walk is short enough to combine with dinner at a ryokan. Highlights within ten minutes on foot:
- Shuzen-ji temple, which gave the town its name, at the top of the main street.
- Tokko-no-yu, the small hot spring in the riverbed that is the symbol of the town.
- The bamboo path (Chikurin-no-komichi), a lane of tall bamboo along the river; see our guide to the bamboo path.
- Hakoyu, a small public bathhouse recognisable by its wooden tower, for a soak without staying the night. Hours and prices change, so check them locally.
Making a day of it
Shuzenji is the terminus of the Izuhakone Railway's Sunzu Line from Mishima, and some Odoriko limited expresses run through from Tokyo (see getting to Izu from Tokyo). From Shuzenji Station, Tokai buses take about ten minutes to the onsen town; Nijinosato and the nature park are on separate bus routes further west. On autumn weekends the narrow roads around the maple spots fill up, so the bus is usually faster than a car. If you have a second day, the silver grass of Hosono Highlands is at its best in autumn too.
When to go
- Mid-November: the light-ups have started, leaves in the hills are beginning to turn.
- Late November to early December: the usual peak for the maple forest.
- Mid-December: possible in a warm year, with fewer people; check colour reports first.
Dates and times above are as announced or reported in October 2026. Please confirm with the Izu City Tourism Association or the venues before travelling.
