An autumn mountain festival amid Mount Tsukuba’s foliage and nighttime lights
Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year in November / Every year
- Location
- Mount Tsukuba
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Tsukuba City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min · limited express)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An autumn festival where you can admire the foliage around Tsukubasan Shrine and near the summit, and enjoy weekend illuminations and views from the mountain.
About Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival
The Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival is an autumn festival held on Mount Tsukuba in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy the fall foliage.
On Mount Tsukuba, the leaves begin to change color near the summit, and the area around Tsukubasan Shrine and the summit draws many visitors when the foliage peaks in mid-November.
Various events take place during the festival, along with autumn-leaf illuminations, mainly on weekends.
Source: 筑波山もみじ祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include the autumn leaves deepening in color around Tsukubasan Shrine and near the summit, and illuminations that light up the mountain at night.
The leaves begin to change near the summit around late October and reach their peak in mid-November.
In addition to weekend-only illuminations, this is also a time when you can enjoy mountain scenery and night views from the Mount Tsukuba cable car and ropeway.
An autumn mountain festival amid Mount Tsukuba’s foliage and nighttime lights
What to expect
During the festival, you can visit the area around Tsukubasan Shrine and the summit, and enjoy the autumn foliage on foot.
Various events take place during the festival, and on weekends you can spend the evening admiring the illuminated autumn leaves.
Using the cable car or ropeway lets you enjoy not only the mountain scenery but also views from the summit and Mount Tsukuba in autumn, without having to hike.
Source: 筑波山 | 観光いばらき公式ホームページ
Location and access
- Venue and address
Mount Tsukuba, 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
- Train and bus
It takes about 40 minutes from Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express by direct Tsukuba-san Shuttle Bus.
- By car
It takes about 40 minutes by car from either Tsuchiura-kita Interchange on the Joban Expressway or Sakuragawa-Chikusei Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway.
- Parking
There are the Municipal Mount Tsukuba Parking Lot and Tsukuba-san Tsutsujigaoka Parking Lot.
市営筑波山駐車場は5:00～20:00で、普通自動車は500円です。
Address 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates and season
It is usually held in November.
The leaves begin to change near the summit around late October and reach their peak in mid-November.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Ibaraki Prefecture / Tsukuba City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Roads and hiking trails around Mount Tsukuba get crowded during the autumn foliage season.
The municipal parking lots and Tsutsujigaoka Parking Lot may be full from around 8 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the autumn foliage season, so arriving early is advisable if you are driving.
When it is busy, consider using public transportation such as buses, and allow plenty of time for your return bus or cable car.
Source: 筑波山の渋滞・混雑情報／つくば市公式ウェブサイト
Nearby attractions
Around Mount Tsukuba, featured spots include the Zuishinmon Gate at Tsukubasan Shrine, Tsukubasan Hotel Aokiya, Kamadaki Onigiri Tsukubasan Enmusubi, and CAFE Nisshoan.
The Zuishinmon Gate at Tsukubasan Shrine is a city-designated Important Cultural Property.
While enjoying the autumn foliage, you can also explore nearby cultural sites, places to eat, and accommodation alongside the mountain scenery.
Source: 筑波山 | ひたちのくにめぐりん号
地図と測量の科学館
茨城県つくば市にある科学館
地質標本館
茨城県つくば市にある博物館
松見公園
つくば市の公園
研究学園駅前公園
茨城県つくば市にある地区公園
筑波実験植物園
茨城県つくば市にある植物の研究機関
筑波山神社
茨城県つくば市にある神社
Origins and History of Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival
The Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival has been held every year in November since 2003.
On Mount Tsukuba, the trees near the summit begin to change color around late October, and the foliage reaches its peak in mid-November.
Various events and weekend-only illuminations are held during the festival, which continues as an occasion to enjoy Mount Tsukuba in autumn.
Official information
The Tsukuba Tourism and Convention Association is listed as the contact.
公式サイトは Official website です。
Check the latest event announcement for the 2026 dates and program.
Source: “赤色・黄色いばらき”特集2025／茨城県
Mount Tsukuba Maple Festival at a Glance
Tsukuba Mountain Autumn Leaves Festival is a November festival where you can enjoy autumn foliage and mountain scenery at Mount Tsukuba in Tsukuba City.
The main highlights are the autumn leaves at Tsukuba Shrine and near the summit, weekend illuminations, and views from the cable car and ropeway.
Roads and parking lots tend to get crowded during the foliage season, so using public transportation and allowing plenty of time in your plans are recommended.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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