Hokkaido in November: Autumn Leaves, Lights From Nov 20 (2026)

In November, Hokkaido shifts from autumn to winter within a single month. In 2026, the autumn-leaf light-up at Nakajima Park in Sapporo ends on November 3, Asahiyama Zoo closes for a week from November 4, and the Sapporo White Illumination starts on November 20 (all from official announcements).

This article sorts what you can still see, what is about to start, and what is closing in November, by early, mid and late month. The 13 places are plotted on a map of Hokkaido at the actual location of each site. For temperatures and what to wear, see “Hokkaido in November: temperatures and what to wear“.

What can you do in Hokkaido in November? A quick table for early, mid and late month

Early November is the end of the autumn leaves, mid-November is when closures of parks and roads increase, and late November is when the illuminations begin. If your travel dates are set, you only need to read that row.

Period	What you can see or what starts	What closes or takes a break
Early month (Nov 1-10)	Autumn-leaf light-up at Nakajima Park, Sapporo (until Nov 3) Autumn leaves at Koseien in Hakodate and at Onuma (usually until early November) Blue Canal in Otaru (in 2025, from Nov 1)	Asahiyama Zoo closed (Nov 4-10) Shiretoko Crossing Road closed (in 2025, from 5:00 p.m. on Nov 4) Shiretoko Five Lakes (open to visitors usually until early November) Mt. Hakodate Ropeway suspended (until Nov 8)
Mid month (Nov 11-20)	Asahiyama Zoo winter opening (from Nov 11) Akkeshi Oyster Festival (Nov 14-15) Sapporo White Illumination (from Nov 20)	Hokkaido Route Akan-koen Tsurui Line closed (in 2025, from Nov 14)
Late month (Nov 21-30)	Yukinowa Asahikawa (in 2025, from Nov 22) Obihiro Illumination (in 2025, from Nov 29)	–

For items marked “in 2025”, please check the official page for this year’s dates before you go. They are usually around the same time each year, but the dates change from year to year.

Where to go in Hokkaido in November? 13 places on a map

The numbers match the table below. Sapporo (1 and 4), Hakodate (2 and 13) and Asahikawa (6 and 12) are close together, so only the number tags are shifted sideways. The dots themselves have not been moved.

We also made “November Hokkaido Drive“, where you leave New Chitose Airport on November 1 and drive these 13 places on real roads, and added it later in this article. It moves at up to 200 km and 9 hours of driving a day, with overnight stops, and shows whether the autumn leaves or illuminations are on when you arrive.

No.	Place	Type	November schedule
1	Nakajima Park (Chuo Ward, Sapporo)	Autumn leaves	Autumn-leaf light-up Oct 23 to Nov 3
2	Koseien / Miharashi Park (Hakodate)	Autumn leaves	Usually late October to early November
3	Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae)	Autumn leaves	Usually mid-October to early November
4	Odori Park (Chuo Ward, Sapporo)	Illumination	From Nov 20
5	Otaru Canal (Otaru)	Illumination	In 2025, from Nov 1
6	Heiwa-dori Shopping Park (Asahikawa)	Illumination	In 2025, from Nov 22
7	JR Obihiro Station north exit (Obihiro)	Illumination	In 2025, from Nov 29
8	Nenohi Park (Akkeshi)	Food	Akkeshi Oyster Festival, Nov 14-15
9	Noboribetsu Onsen Sagiriyu (Noboribetsu)	Hot spring	Day-trip bathing, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
10	Shiretoko Five Lakes (Shari)	Closing	Open to visitors usually until early November
11	Shiretoko Crossing Road (Shari to Rausu)	Closing	In 2025, closed from 5:00 p.m. on Nov 4
12	Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa)	Break	Closed Nov 4-10, winter opening from Nov 11
13	Mt. Hakodate Ropeway (Hakodate)	Break	Suspended until Nov 8 (observation deck open)

Can you still see autumn leaves in November? Sapporo parks and southern Hokkaido, until early November

For autumn leaves in November, your options are the parks of Sapporo and southern Hokkaido, where Hakodate and Onuma are. According to the official information for both, the best time ends in early November. If you arrive in mid-November, keep in mind that the leaves may already have fallen.

Nakajima Park, Sapporo: autumn-leaf light-up until November 3

The autumn-leaf light-up at Nakajima Park in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, runs from Friday, October 23, 2026 to Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday). The ginkgo-lined path and the area around Shobuike Pond are lit, and from the “Shobuike Autumn Leaves Terrace” you can see the leaves reflected on the water (Sapporo Tourism Association, announcement of September 29, 2026).

Koseien (Miharashi Park), Hakodate: usually late October to early November

At Miharashi Park (56 Miharashi-cho, Hakodate), an autumn-leaf light-up called “Hakodate MOMI-G Festa” is usually held from late October to early November. Entry is free and there is a free parking lot (156 spaces for regular cars).

Onuma Quasi-National Park: around mid-October to early November

The town of Nanae says Onuma Quasi-National Park is most beautiful in the autumn-leaf season, from around mid-October to early November. Painted maple, oak and Japanese emperor oak change color.

For autumn-leaf spots in September and October, see “Complete guide to autumn-leaf drives in Hokkaido by campervan“. For autumn leaves at night, see “Autumn-leaf light-ups and overnight stays in a campervan“.

When do the illuminations start in November? Sapporo on November 20, with Otaru, Asahikawa and Obihiro also starting in November

November is the month when Hokkaido’s winter illuminations begin. Only Sapporo has announced its 2026 dates. For Otaru, Asahikawa and Obihiro, we list the 2025 dates.

Sapporo White Illumination: November 20, 2026 to March 14, 2027

According to the Sapporo Tourism Association, it runs from November 20, 2026 to March 14, 2027. Large and small light artworks line Odori Park, and the street trees along Ekimae-dori and Minami 1-jo-dori are lit too. Winter illuminations in Japan began in Sapporo in 1981.

Blue Canal, Otaru: in 2025, from November 1

This event lights the Otaru Canal in blue from Asakusabashi Bridge to Chuo Bridge. In 2025, it was lit from sunset until 10:30 p.m., from November 1 to January 31, 2026 (Otaru Tourism Association). The 2026 dates have not been announced yet.

Yukinowa Asahikawa: in 2025, from November 22

This winter event in Asahikawa lights up places such as Heiwa-dori Shopping Park. It was originally called “Asahikawa Machi-akari Illumination”. In fiscal 2025, it was lit from 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., from November 22 to March 8 (Asahikawa City).

Obihiro Illumination: in 2025, from November 29

The venue is the transport plaza in front of the north exit of JR Obihiro Station. In 2025, it was lit from 4:00 p.m. to midnight, from November 29 to February 23, 2026 (Obihiro City).

For the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy, including parking near the venue, see “Hakodate Christmas Fantasy by campervan“.

What to eat in November? Akkeshi oysters, autumn salmon and snow crab

Akkeshi Oyster Festival: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2026

This is the 64th oyster festival, held at Nenohi Park in Akkeshi. Admission and parking are free, and the parking lot holds about 1,200 cars. An oyster-grabbing event is also held during the festival. It is canceled in rain (Akkeshi Town).

Autumn salmon season ends, and snow crab starts in November

According to the Hokkaido Government’s “Hokkaido Fish Encyclopedia”, the autumn salmon catch season is September to November in Iburi, Ishikari, Shiribeshi, Hiyama, Rumoi and Abashiri, and September to December in Oshima. In many areas, November is the last month of the autumn salmon catch. Snow crab live in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, and are caught from March to June and from November to December.

Noboribetsu Onsen Sagiriyu: warm up with a day-trip bath

This is a day-trip bathhouse at 60 Noboribetsu-onsen-cho. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.), and an adult pays 500 yen (Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association).

What roads and facilities close in November? Shiretoko, Hokkaido routes in eastern Hokkaido, Asahiyama Zoo and Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

In November, the mountain passes you could drive in summer and the roads to lake viewpoints begin to close. Always check before you leave that your destination is not closed.

Shiretoko Crossing Road (Route 334): in 2025, closed from 5:00 p.m. on November 4

This road links Shari and Rausu over Shiretoko Pass. In 2025, night-time traffic restrictions began on October 24, and the road closed for winter from 5:00 p.m. on November 4 (Shiretoko Shari Tourism Association). For 2026, please wait for the announcement and check. For how long roads are closed in winter and the detours, see “Hokkaido roads that close in winter“.

Shiretoko Five Lakes: open to visitors usually until early November

According to the Shiretoko Shari Tourism Association, Shiretoko Five Lakes is open to visitors from late April to early November. If you are going to Shiretoko, plan your trip for early November.

Hokkaido routes around Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu: in 2025, from October 31

According to the Kushiro Construction Management Department, in fiscal 2025 the Hokkaido Routes Kussharo-Mashuko-han Line (11.9 km, from Atosanupuri in Teshikaga to Lake Mashu Viewpoint 1) and Kussharo-Tsubetsu Line (7.6 km) closed for winter from October 31, and the Akan-koen Tsurui Line (13.2 km) from November 14. When you drive in eastern Hokkaido in November, check that the route in your map app does not pass through these sections.

Asahiyama Zoo: closed November 4 to 10

In 2026, the zoo is in summer opening until November 3, and since October 16 it is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last entry 4:00 p.m.). It is closed from November 4 to 10, and the winter opening starts on November 11 (Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa City).

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway: suspended until November 8

For a legally required inspection, the ropeway is suspended for 20 days, from October 20 to November 8, 2026. The summit observation deck is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., so you reach the summit by means other than the ropeway (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway).

Places to stay also decrease in winter. The “List of RV parks in Hokkaido” separates 18 facilities that close for winter from 38 that are open all year.

How many days from New Chitose Airport? Checking by driving a November route

These are the distances and driving times to the 13 places from New Chitose Airport on real roads. We assumed a limit of 200 km and 9 hours of driving a day (the same rule as the Hokkaido Sugoroku game), and calculated which day you arrive if you leave at 9:00 a.m. on November 1.

Destination	Distance	Driving time	Arrival if you leave at 9:00 a.m. on Nov 1	What it is like on arrival
1. Nakajima Park autumn-leaf light-up	48 km	0 h 49 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 9:49	You make it to the autumn-leaf light-up (until Nov 3)
2. Koseien (Miharashi Park)	270 km	3 h 29 min	Nov 2 (Mon) 9:54 (1 night on the way)	Near the end of the best autumn-leaf time (usually until early November)
3. Onuma Quasi-National Park	244 km	3 h 05 min	Nov 2 (Mon) 9:33 (1 night on the way)	Near the end of the best autumn-leaf time (usually until early November)
4. Sapporo White Illumination (Odori Park)	48 km	0 h 48 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 9:48	Illumination not started yet (from Nov 20)
5. Blue Canal (Otaru Canal)	89 km	1 h 17 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 10:17	Blue Canal is lit (in 2025, from Nov 1)
6. Yukinowa Asahikawa (Heiwa-dori Shopping Park)	149 km	2 h 17 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 11:17	Not lit yet (in 2025, from Nov 22)
7. Obihiro Illumination (JR Obihiro Station north exit)	162 km	2 h 05 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 11:05	Not lit yet (in 2025, from Nov 29)
8. Akkeshi Oyster Festival (Nenohi Park)	325 km	4 h 18 min	Nov 2 (Mon) 10:39 (1 night on the way)	Oyster festival not started yet (Nov 14-15)
9. Noboribetsu Onsen Sagiriyu	71 km	1 h 01 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 10:01	You can bathe at Sagiriyu (last entry 8:30 p.m.)
10. Shiretoko Five Lakes	404 km	5 h 02 min	Nov 3 (Tue) 9:03 (2 nights on the way)	You make it to the end of the visiting season (usually until early November)
11. Shiretoko Crossing Road (Route 334, Shiretoko Pass)	406 km	5 h 01 min	Nov 3 (Tue) 9:04 (2 nights on the way)	You can cross the pass (in 2025, closed from 5:00 p.m. on Nov 4)
12. Asahiyama Zoo	160 km	2 h 35 min	Nov 1 (Sun) 11:35	You can enter (last entry 4:00 p.m.)
13. Mt. Hakodate Ropeway (base station)	270 km	3 h 27 min	Nov 2 (Mon) 9:54 (1 night on the way)	The ropeway is suspended (until Nov 8; observation deck open)

The farthest place, Shiretoko, is 404 km away. You stay 2 nights on the way and arrive on the morning of day 3. Shiretoko Five Lakes is open usually until early November, and in 2025 the Shiretoko Crossing Road closed from November 4, so even if you leave at the start of November, there is not much room to spare for Shiretoko.

5 nights and 6 days through southern Hokkaido’s autumn leaves (leaving November 1)

Departure	Leg	Distance and driving	On arrival
Nov 1 (Sun) leave 9:00	New Chitose Airport → Nakajima Park autumn-leaf light-up	48 km, 0 h 49 min	Arrive Nov 1 (Sun) 9:49. You make it to the autumn-leaf light-up (until Nov 3)
Nov 2 (Mon) leave 9:00	Nakajima Park autumn-leaf light-up → Noboribetsu Onsen Sagiriyu	108 km, 1 h 29 min	Arrive Nov 2 (Mon) 10:29. You can bathe at Sagiriyu (last entry 8:30 p.m.)
Nov 3 (Tue) leave 9:00	Noboribetsu Onsen Sagiriyu → Onuma Quasi-National Park	187 km, 2 h 19 min	Arrive Nov 3 (Tue) 11:19. Near the end of the best autumn-leaf time (usually until early November)
Nov 4 (Wed) leave 9:00	Onuma Quasi-National Park → Koseien (Miharashi Park)	30 km, 0 h 31 min	Arrive Nov 4 (Wed) 9:31. Near the end of the best autumn-leaf time (usually until early November)
Nov 5 (Thu) leave 9:00	Koseien (Miharashi Park) → New Chitose Airport	270 km, 3 h 29 min, 1 night on the way	Arrive Nov 6 (Fri) 9:54.

The total is 644 km. The Nakajima Park autumn-leaf light-up ends on November 3, and the best time at Onuma and Koseien is usually until early November, so this order, leaving at the start of the month, suits autumn leaves. The way back from Hakodate to the airport is 270 km, so you stay one night on the way. Mt. Hakodate Ropeway is suspended until November 8, but the summit observation deck is open.

2 nights and 3 days through the illuminations (leaving November 22)

Departure	Leg	Distance and driving	On arrival
Nov 22 (Sun) leave 9:00	New Chitose Airport → Blue Canal (Otaru Canal)	89 km, 1 h 17 min	Arrive Nov 22 (Sun) 10:17. Blue Canal is lit (in 2025, from Nov 1)
Nov 22 (Sun) leave 11:17	Blue Canal (Otaru Canal) → Sapporo White Illumination (Odori Park)	36 km, 0 h 32 min	Arrive Nov 22 (Sun) 11:49. White Illumination is lit (from Nov 20)
Nov 23 (Mon) leave 9:00	Sapporo White Illumination (Odori Park) → Yukinowa Asahikawa (Heiwa-dori Shopping Park)	131 km, 1 h 54 min	Arrive Nov 23 (Mon) 10:54. Lit (in 2025, from Nov 22)
Nov 23 (Mon) leave 11:54	Yukinowa Asahikawa (Heiwa-dori Shopping Park) → Asahiyama Zoo	11 km, 0 h 19 min	Arrive Nov 23 (Mon) 12:13. Winter opening (from Nov 11)
Nov 24 (Tue) leave 9:00	Asahiyama Zoo → New Chitose Airport	160 km, 2 h 35 min	Arrive Nov 24 (Tue) 11:35.

The total is 426 km. The Sapporo White Illumination starts on November 20. The Otaru and Asahikawa dates are from 2025, so check the official pages once the 2026 dates are out. Asahiyama Zoo has its winter opening from November 11; please check the winter opening hours on the official page.

Plan your own trip: the November Hokkaido drive

Tap a number on the map below to see the distance from where you are and the expected arrival day. Tap it again and the car drives along the real roads, so you can see whether the autumn leaves or illuminations are on the day you arrive. You can also stay overnight and move the date forward.

What should you watch for when traveling by campervan in November?

The later in the month you travel in Hokkaido in November, the more winter preparation you need. Before you leave, check these 5 points.

• Winter tires: when you book, ask the company whether your rental dates fall in the winter-tire period (When are studless tires put on?)
• Snow: the average first snow is October 19 in Asahikawa and Wakkanai, October 28 in Sapporo, and November 7 in Kushiro. Check the first snow and the start of snowy roads where you are going (When does it snow in Hokkaido?)
• Short days: it gets dark early, so plan to reach your overnight stop before dark
• Places to stay: before booking, check that RV parks and campsites have not closed for winter
• Brown bears: September to November is a season of more sightings. Do not leave food out outside the vehicle (Brown bear safety in autumn)

For worries about snowy roads, ice and heating, see “Before you travel Hokkaido by campervan in winter“, which answers them one by one.

Preview your trip with the Hokkaido Sugoroku game before you go

The Hokkaido Sugoroku is a free browser game where real RV parks are the squares and you go around Hokkaido. As you roll the dice and move, you get a feel for the distances, such as which town you can reach from which in a day. Before you decide where to go in November, play it and get a sense of how big Hokkaido is.

If you want to drive with November dates, try the “November Hokkaido Drive”. It shows whether you make it to the autumn leaves, whether the illuminations have started, and what it is like on the day you arrive.

Drive the November Hokkaido Drive →

Play the Hokkaido Sugoroku →

Sources for this article (checked October 2, 2026)

• Sapporo Tourism Association, “Notice about the Nakajima Park autumn-leaf light-up” https://www.sapporo.travel/news/nakajimapark-koyo-illumination2026/
• Hakodate official tourism information, “Miharashi Park (Koseien)” https://hakodate-kankou.com/spot/459/
• Nanae Town, “Autumn-leaf spots” https://www.town.nanae.hokkaido.jp/hotnews/detail/00000770.html
• Sapporo Travel, “Sapporo White Illumination” https://www.sapporo.travel/en/event/event-list/sapporo_white_illumination/
• Otaru Tourism Association, “Blue Canal 2025” https://otaru.gr.jp/event/aonounga2025
• Asahikawa City, “Asahikawa Machi-akari Project” https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/408/435/436/p007554.html
• Obihiro City, “Obihiro Illumination Project” https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/tourism/kankouchi/1005842.html
• Akkeshi Town, “Akkeshi Oyster Festival” https://www.akkeshi-town.jp/kanko/event/kaki/
• Hokkaido Government, “Hokkaido Fish Encyclopedia: Salmon” https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sr/gid/fis019.html, “Snow Crab” https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sr/gid/fis082.html
• Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association, “Sagiriyu” https://noboribetsu-spa.jp/oneday/oneday020/
• Shiretoko Shari Tourism Association, “Shiretoko Crossing Road: night restrictions from Oct 24, winter closure from 5:00 p.m. on Nov 4” https://blog.shiretoko.asia/2025/10/10241141700.html
• Shiretoko Shari Tourism Association, “Shiretoko Five Lakes” https://www.shiretoko.asia/detail/scenic/shiretoko_goko
• Hokkaido Kushiro Construction Management Department, “Winter road closures” https://www.kushiro.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kk/kkk/kanrika/toukikou.html
• Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa City, “Notice of fiscal 2026 summer opening” https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/news-blog/osirase/d083941.html
• Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, “Notice of ropeway suspension” https://334.co.jp/news/2026/0406-22668/