Beyond the Leaves: Embracing Japan’s Cultural "Three Autumns" in Hakone

Enjoy fresh Shin-Soba, Lake Ashi Wakasagi, Kawase Hasui’s woodblock scenery, and local literature on your autumn trip.

At a Glance

Best Season: Late October to Mid-November (Peak foliage and seasonal harvests)

• Core Concept: Experiencing Japan’s cultural "Three Autumns"—Appetite (Shokuyoku), Art (Geijutsu), and Reading (Dokusho).
• Key Highlights: Fresh autumn Shin-Soba, crispy Lake Ashi Wakasagi tempura, Kawase Hasui’s historic woodblock landscape garden, and Hakone-based literature.
• Ryokan Stay Tip: Perfectly complements a peaceful stay at Kinnotake Tonosawa, Kinnotake Sengokuhara or Matsuzakaya Honten to savor seasonal Kaiseki dining and quiet reading by private open-air onsen.

Why Read This Guide? Discover why autumn in Japan is a feast for all five senses, learn where to find iconic historical scenery, and elevate your Hakone luxury stay with authentic local traditions.

The Concept of the "Three Autumns" 

When autumn arrives in Japan, locals celebrate far more than just the changing colors of the leaves. In Japanese culture, autumn is cherished as a season of sensory rebirth, giving rise to three famous seasonal expressions: Shokuyoku no Aki (Autumn for Appetite), Geijutsu no Aki (Autumn for Art), and Dokusho no Aki (Autumn for Reading).

The cooling mountain breeze and vibrant red maples create an inviting setting to nourish your body, inspire your mind, and quiet your soul. In Hakone, these three traditions blend seamlessly into a rich, immersive travel experience.

1. Shokuyoku no Aki:

Taste the Autumn Harvest As temperatures dip, Hakone’s local culinary scene comes alive with seasonal specialties:

Lake Ashi Wakasagi (Pond Smelt)

Autumn is the prime season for Wakasagi, small fish harvested directly from the clear waters of Lake Ashi. Lightly battered and fried into golden tempura, they offer a crisp, savory flavor that pairs magnificently with local sakes.

2. Geijutsu no Aki: 
Stepping into a Woodblock Masterpiece In Hakone, fine art extends beyond museum walls into the natural landscape itself. In 1935, the celebrated Shin-hanga woodblock master Kawase Hasui captured Hakone’s timeless romanticism in his iconic print series, "Views of Minamianso in Moto-Hakone" (Moto-Hakone Minamianso Fukei).

These famous prints depicted the grand lakeside estate of Baron Koyata Iwasaki (head of the historic Mitsubishi cartel). Today, this historic estate site is preserved as the Odakyu Hotel de Yama. 

Strolling through its spacious garden in autumn lets you step directly inside Hasui’s artwork: vibrant Japanese maples framing Lake Ashi, with the majestic silhouette of Mt. Fuji rising in the background.

3. Dokusho no Aki: Hakone Literature for Quiet Evenings 

To embrace Dokusho no Aki, enrich your evening downtime with a story set right in the surrounding peaks. We recommend "Run with the Wind" (Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fukiteiru) by Shion Miura (available in English translation). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_with_the_Wind

This heartwarming, inspiring novel follows an underdog university team training for the Hakone Ekiden—Japan’s legendary two-day relay race held every January that tackles Hakone’s steep mountain roads. Reading about their dedication while listening to the quiet rustle of autumn leaves outside your room creates an unforgettable emotional connection to Hakone.

Access Information

Hotel de Yama Garden / Moto-Hakone Area

Address: 80 Moto-Hakone, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, 250-0522, Japan

Step-by-Step Directions from Hakone-Yumoto Station:

Board Bus: Go to Bus Stop No. 2 at Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Bus Line: Take the Hakone Tozan Bus (Line H / Hakone-Machi Line) bound for Moto-Hakone Port or Hakone-Machi Port.

Get Off: Alight at Moto-Hakone Port bus stop.

Travel Time: Approx. 35 to 40 minutes.

Final Stretch: From Moto-Hakone Port, enjoy a picturesque 10-minute walk along the Lake Ashi boardwalk (or take the free shuttle bus) directly to the Hotel de Yama garden entrance.

Complete Your Autumn Cultural Journey with Kinnotake Resorts

A day dedicated to local art, literature, and seasonal gastronomy culminates best in absolute relaxation across our distinct properties:

Matsuzakaya Honten (Ashinoyu): Nestled in the mountains near Moto-Hakone, this historic ryokan is the ultimate destination for Shokuyoku no Aki (Autumn for Appetite), serving exquisite Kaiseki dinners made with fresh autumn harvests.

Kinnotake Tonosawa: Designed around quiet luxury and nature, it provides a peaceful haven for Dokusho no Aki (Autumn for Reading). Enjoy a captivating book on your private deck before stepping into your private open-air onsen.

Kinnotake Sengokuhara: Positioned near Sengokuhara’s iconic golden pampas grass fields, this sanctuary embodies Geijutsu no Aki (Autumn for Art and Nature). Experience artistic bamboo architecture and breathtaking seasonal highland views from your private open-air onsen.

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