Autumn foliage viewing spots in Tohoku area

The highlights are the three colors of "yellow," "red," and "green" and the autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface.

A harmony of autumn leaves created by a wide variety of trees and white spray from the clear streams

A colorful gorge landscape said to be one of the best Tohoku

The highlights are the three colors of "yellow," "red," and "green" and the autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface.

In autumn, when the leaves change color, the steeply sloping lakeshore is covered in three colors: yellow from beech trees, red from maples and rowan trees, and green from Japanese red pines, delighting all who come to see the vibrant colors.
Come and see the splendid autumn foliage along the shores of Lake Towada and the surrounding mountains.

The contrast between the autumn leaves and the mysterious lakes and ponds is beautiful

Urabandai has around 300 lakes and marshes, including Lake Hibara, due to the eruption of Mount Bandai. There is a 3.6km long nature trail surrounding the area, where you can enjoy the autumn foliage of the giant maple, Japanese maple, and Japanese lacquer tree.

A famous autumn foliage spot spanning Miyagi, Akita, and Iwate

The surrounding natural scenery, centered on Mt. Kurikoma, which is 1,626 meters above sea level, has been designated a quasi-national park, and untouched nature remains, including virgin beech forests and marshes. In the autumn foliage season, the beautiful contrast between the red of rowan trees, the yellow of maples, and the black of volcanic rocks captivates visitors.

A colorful gorge landscape said to be one of the best Tohoku

Naruko Gorge is a beautiful natural sight that is said to be one of the best in Tohoku. It is a large canyon that is 100m deep! The entire area is covered in autumn leaves!
The views from the observation decks and walking trails are also beautiful, and many people visit from all over the country to catch a glimpse of this magnificent view.

A harmony of autumn leaves created by a wide variety of trees and white spray from the clear streams

Oirase Stream is a 14km long valley created by Oirase that flows out of Towada, and is one of the most scenic spots in Tohoku.
Along the stream that winds through the dense woods, the sight of the diverse trees unique to the forest, such as beech, maple, Japanese maple, Mongolian oak, and Japanese walnut, changing color is simply magnificent!

A famous autumn foliage spot that straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures

Zao is a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, straddling Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. The Yamagata side is covered with deciduous trees such as beech and birch, and the foothills of Zao are beautifully colored in red and yellow. On Miyagi side, you can't miss Sankai Falls. The waterfall has a drop of 181m, and the sight of it cascading in three thin tiers is fantastical, and it is said to be most beautiful in the autumn when the beech and Mizunara trees change color.

A panoramic view of a carpet of autumn leaves from a gondola

Take the Adatara Mountain Ropeway to the summit station and enjoy a 10-minute aerial stroll while gazing down at the carpet of autumn leaves below.
The fiery autumn leaves seen from Yakushidake Panorama Park are breathtakingly beautiful.

*There are also tours that do not include a ropeway ride. Please check the tour details before applying.

A highland road with a view of the observation points and spectacular autumn foliage

A mountain tourist road stretching 29km from Takayu Onsen at the eastern foot of Mt. Azuma to Tsuchiyu Pass, it offers a magnificent panoramic view of the highlands while overlooking Mt. Azuma. There are observation points scattered around, such as Jododaira and Komi Pass, and Tsubakuro Valley, about 8km from the Takayu side, is famous as a scenic spot for the autumn leaves of maples and Erman's birch.

Beautiful autumn foliage that can only be seen at a high altitude

On Hachimantai Aspite Line, which runs from Gozaisho-numa to Akita Prefecture near the summit of Mt. Hachimantai (1,613m above sea level), you can see the beautiful scenery of the white trunks of Erman's birch trees with their yellow leaves floating fantastically in the sea of Aomoritodomatsu trees in autumn. Also nearby is a lush primeval forest of deciduous trees such as beech, oak, maple and Japanese maple, and Matsukawa Valley, where the leaves change color in autumn to a stunning sight. The spectacular view from Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge in particular is one you'll want to capture on camera. (The best time to see the autumn leaves in Matsukawa Valley is usually from mid-Oct. to late Oct..)

A carpet of autumn leaves seen from the ropeway

At Mt. Hakkoda, you can see a variety of trees changing color every year from late Sep. to mid Oct.. From the ropeway that connects the base to the summit, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of a magnificent carpet of autumn leaves below you. At the summit, there is a walking path where you can enjoy the marshland, and from the observation deck you can see the Tamogaya Marshland. During the autumn foliage season, it is a beautiful place with beautiful autumn leaves.

*There are also tours that do not include a ropeway ride. Please check the tour details before applying.

Spectacular autumn foliage from the train window

Tadami Line runs from Aizuwakamatsu Station in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture to Koide Station in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Tadami Line runs along the Tadami River and through lush mountain ranges, and is a hidden line with spectacular views.
During the autumn foliage season, you can enjoy beautiful scenery from the train window!

A sacred place that takes on a mysterious appearance due to the autumn leaves

Risshakuji Temple, commonly known as Yamadera, is known for the poem "The quietness of the cicadas' voices penetrating the rocks" written by Matsuo Basho in "Oku no Hosomichi." This sacred place, which boasts a history of about 1,100 years and is one of the most sacred places Tohoku, is truly mystical when colored with autumn leaves!

The maples that beautifully decorate the World Heritage Site

This ancient temple is a designated World Heritage site and is home to the mausoleum of the Fujiwara clan, who built the magnificent Hiraizumi culture in Tohoku. The grounds are covered in lush old cedar trees, including the Tsukimizaka approach to the temple, but the red of the Japanese maples and mountain maples along the approach from Dainichi-do Hall to Konjiki-do Hall and around the sutra repository beautifully colors the World Heritage site.

The highlight is the stunning harmony between the beautiful river surface and the autumn leaves.

Waterfalls of all sizes, deep valleys, rock faces carved by rough mountain streams, and red and yellow broadleaf trees, mainly cherry, beech, and maple, all reflect the clear waters of Tamagawa River, which sometimes changes color to blue and sometimes to emerald green, creating a landscape woven together in stunning harmony with nature.

The famous samurai residence street is decorated with autumn leaves

Michinoku's small Kyoto Kakunodate is the castle town of the Satake Kita family, a branch of the Akita clan. It is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring, but the autumn leaves are also spectacular. Visitors can enjoy the contrast between the chic blackboard walls and the red leaves peeking out from the mansion.
The maple trees and ginkgo trees change color, making the street of samurai residences even more atmospheric.

Spectacular autumn foliage unique to this World Heritage Site

Shirakami Sanchi Mountain Range World Heritage Site is the collective name for a vast mountainous region of approximately 130,000 hectares that straddles Akita and Aomori prefectures. The beauty of the autumn leaves is particularly special, as the leaves change color from mid-Oct. every year, starting at the higher elevations and descending to the foothills, and for about a month, the Shirakami mountains are transformed into a colorful landscape. The sight of the primeval beech forest dyed yellow is a spectacular sight.

A 360-degree view of autumn leaves

Among deck arch bridges, Jogakura Bridge boasts the longest arch span in Japan at 255m.
You can look down and enjoy the view of Jogakura Stream, one of the most scenic spots in Towada Hachimantai National Park.
During the autumn foliage season, the view of 360 degrees of autumn leaves is breathtaking.

Not just cherry blossoms. A fusion of the twelve existing castle towers and about 1,000 maple trees

Hirosaki Park is one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. However, in autumn, the approximately 1,000 maple trees change color and blend in with Hirosaki Castle, creating a completely different landscape. For a limited time, the "Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival" is held, allowing you to enjoy the park from a different angle than usual. You can also enjoy the autumn scenery, including the limited-time illumination of Hirosaki Castle and the autumn leaves.
*The Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival and the illuminations are only available for a limited time, so please check the tour details, such as the departure date, before applying.

The mountains turn red and the autumn leaves that spread across both banks are a spectacular sight.

The autumn leaves in the valley where Matsuo Basho wrote "May rain gathers and the early Mogami River." A one-hour boat ride, filled with the nostalgic songs of the boatman, is also recommended.
*There are some courses that do not include a sightseeing boat ride. Please check the course details before applying.

Yellow-tinted: The breath of a thousand-year-old tree

A large ginkgo tree located in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, is approximately 1,000 years old. With a trunk circumference of 22.0m, it is the largest ginkgo tree in Japan by species and the fourth largest among all species (※1), and was designated a national natural monument in Sep. 2004. (※1: From the Ministry of the Environment's survey of giant trees and forests in Japan)
This once-yearly light-up is for a limited time only! Enjoy the sensation of being enveloped in a fantastic yellow carpet. After the spectacular yellow (autumn) leaves, you will soon hear the footsteps of winter.