Aomori in autumn is home to many of the most famous fall foliage spots in Japan! In fall, red, orange, and gold leaves decorate trees, turning them into painting-like landscapes. According to the foliage forecast, autumn colors are expected in Aomori around November 11.
The leaves gain unique colors due to the difference in temperature between day and night, and the landscape of forests, valleys, and parks is spectacular.
Here we will share some of the most beautiful autumn foliage spots unique to Aomori Prefecture, blessed by lush nature, plus the best time to visit.
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- Table of Contents
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- 1. Tsutanuma Lake: Fiery Autumn leaves reflecting on the water
- 2. Oirase Stream: Stroll along a walking path illuminated by gorgeous fall leaves
- 3. Nakano Momiji Mountain: Dramatic shows of leaves in day and night
- 4. Jogakura Ohashi Bridge: Spectacular scenery from the 360m panoramic bridge
- 5. Mount Hakkoda: See a thrilling carpet of crimson leaves seen from the ropeway
- 6. Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains: Stroll through the magical golden forest
- 7. Great Ginkgo in Kita-Kanegasawa: Shining gold
- 8. Hirosaki Park: Fantastic autumn leaves floating in the dark night
- 9. Jigokunuma Pond: Colorful autumn leaves and a steamy, phantasmagoric pond
- 10. Nango Kakko-No-Mori Echoland: Hidden among the glorious Japanese maples
1. Tsutanuma Lake: Fiery Autumn leaves reflecting on the water
Tsutanuma Lake is located in the Oirase area of Towada City. It's surrounded by virgin forest and visited every year by tourists from all over the country and world who come to see the autumn colors and take as many pictures as they can.
In particular, the mirror-like surface of the lake creates a mysterious and charming picture at sunrise that can only be seen at that moment. We also recommend visiting the other marshes while exploring the promenade, especially in mid-October.
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Tsutanuma Observatory蔦沼展望台
- Address Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301
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Nearest Station
Nearest station: From JR Shin-Aomori Station, take the JR Bus Mizuumi Line for 2 hours and 8 minutes, get off at "Tsuta Onsen," then walk 15 minutes. By car, it's about 60 minutes from the Tohoku Expressway "Kuroishi IC."
・Phone: 0176-24-3006 (Towada Oirase Tourism Organization)
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Address
Okuse Aza Tsutanoyu 1, Towada, Aomori, 034-0301
View Map -
Nearest Station
Shichinohe-towada Station (Tohoku Shinkansen / Hokkaido Shinkansen)
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Address
Okuse Aza Tsutanoyu 1, Towada, Aomori, 034-0301
2. Oirase Stream: Stroll along a walking path illuminated by gorgeous fall leaves
Oirase Stream is located in Towada City, like Tsutanuma Lake, and is surrounded by a deep, natural forest. The 14km path beside the stream itself is surrounded by many kinds of trees, like azalea, maple, and more, forming a gorgeous tunnel of fall foliage.
The autumn leaves show their best from late October to early November. The combination of the tunnel embellished by the autumn colors, the dynamic mountain stream, and the magnificent waterfall make for a fantastic landscape.
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Address
Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori, 034-0301
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Nearest Station
Hachinohe Station (Hachinohe Line / Tohoku Shinkansen / Hokkaido Shinkansen / Aoimori Tetsudo)
90 minutes by bus
- Phone Number 0176-75-2425
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Address
Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori, 034-0301
3. Nakano Momiji Mountain: Dramatic shows of leaves in day and night
Located in the center of Aomori Prefecture, Nakano Momiji Mountain, in Kuroishi City, is a famous location for autumn leaves with its beautiful Japanese maples. 100 kinds of maple trees were ordered from Kyoto and planted during the time of the feudal lords (around 1802). Now the fiery red maple trees perfectly espouse the bridges and torii gates of this beautiful site.
At night, the leaves are illuminated, creating a fantastic world, and showing a completely different spectacle from the one you can enjoy during the day.
You will also see the Kanpudai area, with its famous beautiful carpets of fallen leaves, and Fudo Falls, with their soothing sound. The best time to admire the foliage here is from mid-October to early November.
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Nakano Momiji Mountain中野もみじ山
- Address Fudoudate 27, Minaminakano, Kuroishi Shi, Aomori, 036-0405, Japan
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Nearest Station
From JR Aomori Station, take the Ou Main Line for about 45 minutes to Hirosaki Station. Transfer to the Konan Railway for 36 minutes to Kuroishi Station, then take the Konan Bus for 24 minutes and get off at "Nakano Minami-guchi," followed by a 5-minute walk. By car, it's about 10 minutes from the Tohoku Expressway "Kuroishi IC."
・Phone: 0172-88-8815 (Kuroishi Tourist Information Center)
・Light-up dates: Will be held in 2024
・Light-up time: From dusk until 9 PM
4. Jogakura Ohashi Bridge: Spectacular scenery from the 360m panoramic bridge
Jogakura Ohashi Bridge in Aomori City is a huge bridge with a 255m arch spanner. When it opened in 1955, it used to be the longest bridge in Japan. It's located in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which spans across three prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, and Akita.
From the Jogakura Ohashi Bridge, you can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view or the red and yellow field of foliage in Aomori in autumn, around mid-October. From the 122m high bridge, you can see the valley at the bottom, with the tranquil Jogakura Mountain Stream flowing along - one of the most scenic bodies of water in the area. There are parking lots at both ends of the bridge, making it easily accessible and perfect to stop and take pictures.
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Jogakura Ohashi Bridge城ヶ倉大橋
- Address Minamiarakawa 1-1, Arakawa, Aomori, 030-0111
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Nearest Station
From JR Aomori Station, take the JR Bus bound for Towadako for about 1 hour, get off at "Jogakura Onsen," and walk for about 20 minutes. By car, it's about 35 minutes from the Tohoku Expressway "Kuroishi IC."
・Phone: 017-728-0200 (Aomori Prefecture East Ao Area Citizens Bureau)
5. Mount Hakkoda: See a thrilling carpet of crimson leaves seen from the ropeway
Mount Hakkoda, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, is a popular ski destination in winter, but in autumn, it sports one of the most beautiful places for fall foliage in Aomori. Trees spread over layers of other trees, lush with autumn leaves, appearing like a carpet when seen from the ropeway.
These autumn leaves are at their peak of beauty in late October. At the mountaintop park of the ropeway (Hakkoda Gourd Line), you will find a promenade offering a 1km-walk surrounded by autumn leaves.
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Hakkoda Ropeway八甲田ロープウェー
- Address Kansuizawa 1-12, Arakawa, Aomori, 030-0188
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Nearest Station
Take the JR bus from JR Aomori Station to Hakkoda Ropeway Station. By car, it is about 19km from Aomori Chuo IC.
- Phone Number 017-738-0343
・Hakkoda Ropeway Hours: 9 AM - 4:20 PM (March to early November), 9 AM to 3:40 PM (mid-November to February)
・Hakkoda Ropeway fare: Adult (junior high school student or older) 1,400 yen one way (round trip 2,200 yen); child (elementary school) 450 yen one way (round trip 700 yen). Free for preschoolers. (*Tax included in all fares)
・Closed: Open daily (may be closed in case of strong winds, or abnormal weather). There will be a suspension from November 8-13, 2024, for inspection and maintenance.
6. Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains: Stroll through the magical golden forest
The Shirakami-Sanchi mountain area is a treasure trove of nature surrounded by vast beech forests, also recognized as a World Natural Heritage site. From mid-October to late October every year, the autumn leaves are in full bloom, and the vast beech forest is vividly colored.
The landscape, even from a distance, is beautiful. Still, we recommend trekking along the paths to really be in contact with nature here. Surrounded by the fall foliage in this mysterious forest, you can take a walk in the quiet promenade covered by fallen leaves.
Why not take a walk in the wilderness inhabited by Japanese serow and bears and experience the autumn of this World Natural Heritage site?
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Shirakami Sanchi Visitor Center白神山地ビジターセンター
- Address Kanda 61-1, Tashiro, Nakatsugaru Gun, Nishimeya Mura, Aomori, 036-1411
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Nearest Station
Access: Take the Konan Bus from JR Hirosaki Station and get off at Tashiro (Nishimeyamura Yakubae). About 60 minutes by car from the Tohoku Expressway Owani Hirosaki IC.
- Phone Number 0172-85-2810
7. Great Ginkgo in Kita-Kanegasawa: Shining gold
In Kita-Kanegasawa, in the city of Fukaura, facing the Sea of Japan, you can find one of Japan's most massive giant ginkgo trees, which is over 1000 years old.
Every year from mid-November to late November, this giant tree with a height of 31m and a trunk circumference of 22m, turns bright yellow, giving its nickname of "Big Yellow." The biggest highlight is the illuminated light, and its golden appearance is of staggering beauty. Absorb the power of this large national natural monument.
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Giant Ginkgo Tree in Kita-Kanegasawa北金ヶ沢の大イチョウ
- Address Shiomigata 356, Kitakanegasawa, Nishitsugaru Gun, Fukaura Machi, Aomori, 038-2504
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Nearest Station
Access: From JR Aomori Station, take the Ou Main Line to Kawabe Station. Transfer to the Gono Line and get off at Kita-Kanagasawa Station, then walk 10 minutes.
・Phone: 0173-74-4412 (Fukaura Town Tourism Division)
・Light up period: Every November from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
8. Hirosaki Park: Fantastic autumn leaves floating in the dark night
Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City, famous also for its cherry blossoms, reaches its best time to see autumn leaves between mid-October and early November.
The maple and cherry trees of the park turn bright red and yellow and combined with the tower and the castle gate of Hirosaki Castle, they recreate the atmosphere of an ancient city.
At night, the leaves are illuminated, showing another face of the landscape, with a fantastic reflection of the colorful foliage reflected in the moat, making you feel as though lost in a painting. Hirosaki, with its 400-year history, is a popular spot to enjoy autumn foliage in Aomori.
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Address
1, Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8256
View Map -
Nearest Station
Chuohirosaki Station (Konan Tetsudo-owani Line)
15 minutes by car
- Phone Number 0172-33-8739
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Address
1, Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8256
9. Jigokunuma Pond: Colorful autumn leaves and a steamy, phantasmagoric pond
Near the hot spring inn Sukayu Onsen, in Hakkoda, there is a body of water with spring temperatures of 90 degrees, called Jigokunuma Pond (or Hell Pond).
Water springs from a crater and, around mid-October, the surrounding Japanese pine trees, as well as the ornamental Chinese cabbages, will turn into splendid colors.
Against the backdrop of the steaming water swirling about in the air, the vividly colored autumn leaves are genuinely magnificent. On the way back, relax at the Sugayu Onsen in the large outdoor Sennin-buro bath.
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Jigokunuma Pond地獄沼
- Address Sukayusawa, Kokuyurin, Mt. Arakawa, Arakawa-Minami, Aomori 030-0111
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Nearest Station
Access: From JR Aomori Station, take the JR bus bound for Lake Towada. Get off at Sukayu Onsen, and walk 5 minutes.
・Phone: 017-738-6400 (Sukayu Onsen)
10. Nango Kakko-No-Mori Echoland: Hidden among the glorious Japanese maples
Nango Kakko-No-Mori Echoland, in Hachinohe City (Eastern Aomori Prefecture), is a sports facility surrounded by nature, but in autumn becomes a famous local destination for autumn leaves.
There are about 280 maple trees on the premises, which are in full color at the end of October. At night, the maples emerge from the dark thanks to the red, yellow, and blue illumination, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Tea ceremonies are also held inside, making a visit even more worth it.
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Nango Kakko-No-Mori Echoland南郷カッコーの森エコーランド
- Address Takamura 5-5, Nango Nakano, Hachinohe, Aomori 031-0114
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Nearest Station
Access: from JR Aomori Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station, change to the Hachinohe Line, and get off at Hon-Hachinohe Station. Then take the Nanbu bus to "Michi no Eki Nango." 2 minutes driving from Hachinohe Expressway "Nango IC."
- Phone Number 0178-82-3303
・Light up: November 2 & 3, 2024
・Light up time: 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Aomori in autumn is incredible. Choose the perfect kind of Aomori autumn foliage experience for yourself. Find the ideal location and the best daytime or nighttime vibe, fully immersed in nature, or surrounded by natural beauty as well as architecture. Be sure to visit Aomori Prefecture next autumn for unique and rare spectacular sights!
Text by: Shimoda Tsubasa
(*This article was originally published in June 2020 and updated in September 2024. Please refer to official websites for the latest information.)
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- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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