Autumn foliage spot #1
Urabandai
Bandaisan Gold Line
Bandai-Azuma Lake Line
Bandai-Azuma Skyline
The Bandai and Azuma area boasts three scenic roads (free of charge) registered as part of the Japan Scenic Byways: the Bandaisan Gold Line, the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, and the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. From Bandaisan Gold Line you can enjoy views of the crater of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro; from the Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, as well as the excellent viewpoint of Nakatsugawa Valley; and from Bandai-Azuma Skyline, you can admire the mountains, lakes, and wetlands. These roads offer a rich variety of natural scenery that changes with the seasons.
Autumn foliage spot #2
Urabandai
Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley
Nishi Azuma Kaibare
This road led to the Shirabu Pass, which was crossed on foot or horseback during the Sengoku period (Warring States period) battles between Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture and Aizu. It stretches 17.8 km between Shirabu Takayu and Wasedazawa. As you ascend and descend the road, which features a series of hairpin bends and offers views of Mount Bandai, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Hibara. The "Higashi Hachi Nanamagari" section along the way is a particularly famous viewpoint.
Autumn foliage spots #3
Urabandai
Nakasenuma Pond and Renge Marsh
Nakasenuma Rengenuma
Located almost in the center of Urabandai, the Nakasenuma Pond Renge-numa areas offer a relatively flat and easy-to-navigate course, perfect for first-timers. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Mount Bandai. This course is also popular for its abundance of wild birds. It's a popular spot for photography, offering a direct view of Mount Bandai.
Autumn foliage spots #4
Urabandai
Magarisawa Marsh
Magarisawanuma
Magarisawa Marsh is located even further inland from Lake Sohara.
Urabandai, a hidden gem for autumn foliage, the "mirror-like autumn leaves" reflected on the tranquil lake surface captivate many visitors. The fleeting scene of the water and forest at dusk is so beautiful that it feels almost a shame to press the shutter button, making it Urabandai 's top spots for photographing autumn leaves, attracting many photographers.
Autumn foliage spots #5
Urabandai
Onogawa Fudo Falls
Onogawa Fudotaki
This waterfall is located upstream of Lake Onogawa. Its name comes from the fact that a statue of Fudo Myoo (Acala) is enshrined at the site of the waterfall. The water flows from Hyakkan Shimizu in the Bandai Plateau and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waters as "Onogawa Spring Water".
Autumn foliage spots #6
Urabandai
Grande Kourabandai Ropeway
After a pleasant 15-minute ride on the ropeway, you'll arrive at the mountaintop station, where you can enjoy breathtaking views and magnificent nature that only an altitude of 1,390 meters can offer.
Autumn foliage spots #7
Inawashiro (god of fishing)
Hanitsu Shrine
Haniatsu Shrine
This is one of the places you absolutely must visit if you want to delve into the history of Aizu. It is a shrine dedicated to Matsudaira Masayuki, the first lord of the Aizu domain. The maple leaves turn a brilliant red, creating a breathtaking sight like a red carpet. Many photographers visit every year.
Autumn foliage spots #8
Inawashiro
Showa-no-Mori Park
Showa no Mori
Located on the southern slopes of Mount Bandai, at Tenkyodai, this natural park in Fukushima Prefecture offers a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Inawashiro.
Autumn foliage spots #9
Inawashiro
Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls
Tatsuzawa Fudotaki
Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls, selected as one of the New Eight Scenic Views of Inawashiro, is a popular and beautiful waterfall. This magnificent waterfall flows on the Fudo River, which originates from Mt. Funamyojin in the Adatara mountain range, and a shrine dedicated to Fudo Myoo (a Buddhist deity) is located at the base of the falls. In autumn, visitors can see the waterfall cascading majestically amidst a mosaic of autumn leaves. It is especially beautiful during the seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves, and because it is accessible by car, it attracts many tourists.
Autumn foliage spots #10
Kitakata
Shingu Kumano Shrine Nagatoko
Shingu Bear Shrine Nagatoko
Shingu Kumano Shrine Nagatoko), with its 44 cylindrical pillars, and the large ginkgo tree are truly a sight to behold. The Nagatoko is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The golden carpet of fallen leaves from the 800-year-old ginkgo tree attracts many tourists every year. This is a recommended spot in the Aizu region where you can enjoy the late-blooming autumn foliage.
Autumn foliage spots #11
Aizuwakamatsu
Tsurugajo Castle
Tsurugajo
Tsurugajo Castle, a representative tourist spot in Aizu, is illuminated every year during the autumn foliage season. In addition to the autumn leaves, the stone walls and various points of interest are lit up, allowing you to see Tsurugajo Castle in a way that is unique to the night. Enjoy the fantastical world created by the autumn leaves and the castle.
[Illumination Period]
Mid-October to mid-November
*Time: Sunset to 8:30 PM (approx.)
Autumn foliage spots #12
Yanagizu
Enzoji Temple
Fukumankokuzo Bosatsu Enzoji
Enzoji Temple was founded in 807 by Tokuichi Daishi, and its principal image, Fukuman Kokuzo Bosatsu, is said to have been created by Kobo Daishi. It is counted as one of the three great Kokuzo Bosatsu statues in Japan and is known as the guardian deity for those born in the Year of the Ox or Tiger. In autumn, the contrast between the vibrant autumn leaves and the white walls of the temple grounds is beautiful, making it one of Yanagizu's most famous spots. Furthermore, the autumn leaves of Enzoji Temple can be viewed in their entirety from Zuikoji Park.
Autumn foliage spots #13
Urabandai
Lake Hibara sightseeing boat
Hibarakokankosen
Urabandai offers a chance to fully enjoy the beauty of nature. On Lake Hibara, the largest lake Urabandai, you can leisurely cruise among the islands floating on the lake while gazing at the rugged crater of Mount Bandai. In autumn, you can enjoy picturesque autumn foliage and other scenery that can only be seen from a cruise.
Autumn foliage spots #14
Urabandai
Goshikinuma
Goshikinuma
Urabandai Goshikinuma is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan.
Especially in autumn, the contrast between the autumn leaves and the mysterious group of lakes and marshes is beautiful, and the view of Mount Bandai from Bishamon-numa is one of Urabandai the most famous sights in the area. Goshiki-numa is a 3.6 km long nature trail dotted with lakes and swamps created by the eruption of Bandai-san, including Bishamon-numa, Akanuma, Midoronuma, Ryunuma, Bentenuma, Ruri-numa, Aonuma, and Yanaginuma. The name of the area comes from the various colors of the water, such as green, red, and blue, depending on the lake. These mysterious lakes and swamps, which are hard to believe to be natural colors, fascinate visitors. The abundance of wild birds is one of the best in Japan. Ooruri (Japanese bush warblers), red-crowned night-herons, yellow-throated flycatcher, and red-cockaded woodpecker can all be seen here. The entire area is designated as a special protected area of the national park.
Recommended activities
Click here for your first stroll around Goshikinuma.
Autumn foliage spots #15
Urabandai
Morohashi Museum of Modern Art
Morohashi Kindai Bijutsukan
As the third museum in the world to house works by Dalí, it opened after the Dalí Theatre-Museum (Spain) and the Dalí Museum (USA). Its 39 sculptures are an unparalleled collection, and the museum as a whole boasts one of the largest collections of Dalí's works in Asia. Visitors can also enjoy the autumn foliage around the museum.
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