Journey Through Stunning Autumn Colors
Escape the summer heat and enjoy the refreshing autumn breeze and breathtaking views
Hachimantai City is located in the heart of the northern Tohoku region of Japan. While autumn leaves typically reach their peak from October to November, in Hachiman-tai, the foliage starts to change color as early as mid-September, offering the earliest autumn colors in Honshu. Every year, many people visit Hachimantai to witness the first fall colors of the season in Honshu.
Here are some easily accessible autumn leaf spots that you can visit by car or bike.
Appi Kogen Secondary Beech Forest
This forest, selected as one of Japan's '100 Forests for Forest Bathing,' is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with nature. The best time to see the autumn leaves is in early October.
Hachimantai Aspite Line and Hachimantai Jukai Line
The Hachimantai Aspite Line is a 27-kilometer drive through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, spanning from Iwate Prefecture to Akita Prefecture. It allows you to cross Hachimantai while enjoying continuous beautiful mountain landscapes.
The Hachimantai Jukai Line is a 17-kilometer drive connecting the summit of Hachimantai and Matsukawa Onsen. As you drive, you can experience the vast, majestic mountain scenery and enjoy the deep connection to nature while watching the trees of the forest sway in the wind.
*Winter road closure: early November to mid-April →Real-time road information is being sent out! Hachimantai City Tourism Association HP
Iwate Prefectural Forest
The vast 360-hectare forest park is home to a variety of plants and animals, making it an ideal destination to visit in the fall. The Nanataki Falls, especially during this season, are magnificent and can be accessed via an easy 3-kilometer hike from the Forest Interaction Learning Center. The peak of the fall foliage is around mid-October.
Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge
From this bridge spanning Matsukawa Valley, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes throughout the four seasons. The view from the bridge includes the Matsukawa River flowing through the mountains and the deep forests stretching endlessly. This spot is one of the top autumn foliage locations in the region, where broadleaf trees like beech and oak turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The contrast with the emerald green of the Matsukawa River, influenced by the sulfur content near Matsukawa Onsen, captivates many visitors every year. The peak of the fall foliage is around mid-October.
Not only in autumn, but also in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, and in the mystical summer when the varying shades of green in the forest overlap. Additionally, from the drop of the sedimentation dam, refreshing sprays of water dance in the air, creating a landscape full of a cooling, invigorating atmosphere.
Matsukawa Valley Genbuiwa
Matsukawa Ohashi Bridge
This hidden gem of a local autumn foliage spot features a bridge that is closed to traffic, offering a stunning view of the valley's beautiful fall colors. Please note that parking spaces are limited. The peak foliage season is in mid-October.
