Autumn in Tohoku starts in late September, when fall foliage season starts. From the red-and-yellow dyed mountaintops to the incredible autumn scenery passing by as you drive around, there are many ways to enjoy the sights of these beautifully changing leaves.
Here, we will introduce ten best places to visit in Tohoku for autumn foliage, as well as the best time to see the leaves changing.
Best Time for Autumn Leaves in Tohoku
There are six prefectures stretching out longitudinally across the Tohoku Region. In Tohoku, the trees begin to change color gradually, beginning in the north and moving down south.
The best time for autumn leaves in the northernmost prefecture of Aomori is in early October, while late November is best to see fall leaves in Fukushima in the south.
There are also areas where you can see autumn colors for about a month and a half before they start to show in Tokyo. If you plan to visit multiple areas for foliage viewing, the best time to do so would be between early and late October.
1. Hakkoda Mountain Range
Best Time for Autumn Leaves at Hakkoda Mountain Range: Late September to Mid-October
The Hakkoda Mountain Range is the general name given to the approximately 20 mountains that make it up, including Hakkoda Ootake, a mountain located in the center of Aomori Prefecture with an altitude of 1585 meters. Most of the mountains have a beautiful conical shape with a sharp peak and a foot extending at the base.
The foliage you see along the Hakkoda Mountain Range are mostly yellow beech and red maple trees, with mixed alpines such as Aomori-todomatsu and Haimatsu (Japanese creeping pine) towards the summit. Because the temperature, as well as the type of trees, differ depending on altitude, the changing autumn leaves begin around the end of September near the summit and end around mid-October at the foot.
One of the best ways to enjoy this famous Tohoku autumn view of the Hakkoda Mountain Range, is to take a ride on the 100-person ropeway. Or you can get a beautiful ground view while soaking in one of the hot springs that dot the vicinity. It’s one of the best places to visit in Tohoku!
1-12 Kansuizawa, Arakawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori-ken
Phone: 017-738-0343 (Hakkoda Ropeway)
Business Hours: 9:00AM~4:20PM (winter until 3:40PM)
Fee: Ropeway: One-way 1250 yen, Round-trip 2000 yen
2. Oirase Gorge Mountain Streams
Best Time for Autumn Leaves at Oirase Gorge: Mid-Late October
The Oirase Gorge Mountain Stream in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, is a scenic spot with views of beautiful mountain streams and colorful leaves in the same area. Another of the best places to visit in Tohoku, there are many famous places with many different views and features, such as the 14 km long footpath, seven-meter-high Chos…
