The famous Naruko Gorge is about a 10-minute drive away from Naruko-Onsen Station on the JR Lines and contains one of the most recognizable autumn foliage scenery associated with Miyagi.

Late October to early November is the best time to visit Miyagi to catch sight of the gorgeous autumn foliage on display here. The valley - filled with the canopies of colorfully vivid beech and maple trees - is about 2.6 kilometers (1.61 miles) long and 100 meters (328 feet) deep.

A great view of these autumn leaves in Miyagi to visit is the observatory platform found on the premises of Naruko Gorge Resthouse. Here is where you can admire the valley's landscape, which comes with a curious bridge peeking out between the foliage for a harmonious picture of verdant nature and modern architecture.

Matsushima City is another destination with plenty of popular autumn leaf spots for visitors of Miyagi, foremost among which is Entsūin, a temple that was founded in 1647. It is a very accessible 5-minute walk from Matsushimakaigan Station on the JR Lines. The four gardens within temple grounds have been designed with traditional Japanese aesthetics in mind.

The best time to visit Matsushima for autumn foliage is between late October to mid-November. During this period, the temple gardens will be illuminated at night as well, which adds a touch of dramatic flair to its already audacious appearance. The must-see scene here is the sight of red maple leaves dangling upside-down as they are reflected on the clear and tranquil surface of the temple's Shinji Pond.

The massive Mount Kurikoma straddles the prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate, and Akita. The impressive layers of red, yellow, and orange autumn foliage here mainly consist of beech and rowan tree leaves. This breathtaking view can be enjoyed from mid-September to mid-October. So breathtaking is the scene when autumn is in full swing that the mountain has been fittingly dubbed "The Carpet of God," making it among Miyagi's most popular places for autumn leaves.

To trek up the mountain, new hikers can use the relatively easier route from Miyagi, known as the Iwakagami Daira Trail Entrance, which can be reached in about 1.5 hours by car from Kurikoma-Kogen Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen. You can also hop on a shuttle bus from the station during weekends and public holidays that fall between the end of September to early October.

This nature park is located in the Akiu Onsen area on the outskirts of Sendai City, and a light-up event is held here every fall season. The mystical mood it evokes draws crowds of tourists and sightseers to the city every year.

The light-up event features lights and illuminations that evolve yearly through collaborations with local facilities such as glasswork factories or the Sendai Kaleidoscopes Art Museum. In fact, it once won second place in the event category at the Darc Awards, an awards ceremony celebrating the best in lighting design from around the world.

The park features a Japanese garden called "Koyadate Ato Garden," along with hot springs and an auto campsite. The garden is illuminated at night, and it's recommended to explore it during the day as well. You can walk through the entire garden in about 30 minutes.

To get there from Sendai Station, take the Miyagi Kotsu bus from bus stop 8 at the west exit, heading towards "Akiu Onsen." Get off at "Akiu Onsen Yumoto," and it's about a 15-minute walk from there. If you're visiting during the day, you can also take the Takeya Kotsu "Akiu-Kawasaki Sendai West Liner" from bus stop 63 at the west exit of Sendai Station. The ride takes about 34 minutes, and you should get off at "Kinoya-mae," from where it's a 5-minute walk.

If enjoying the autumn leaves in Miyagi from the comfort of your rental car is your kind of tourism, then absolutely plan for a road trip down Zao Echo Line, which is a sightseeing route that cuts through the Zaō Mountain Range from east to west.

Along the way, you'll pass by interesting areas such as the emerald green volcanic crater lake Okama; Takimidai, a platform where you can admire three different waterfalls from a safe distance; and the intimidating Fudō Myōō statue, amongst many other incredible places. This buffet of spectacular sights will enhance the beauty of the autumn leaves and add to your enjoyment.

Zaō's colorful fall leaves start turning red and yellow from the area near the mountaintop, and the period between late September to early October is the best time to catch them in their full glory here.

The coloring then moves down to the foot of the mountain, so mid-October to late October is the best time to see them at the base. It takes about 20 minutes by car to get to the entrance of the Zao Echo Line from Tohoku Expressway's Murata IC.

The Akiu Great Falls, designated as one of Japan's top three waterfalls, offers a breathtaking view where the powerful cascade meets the vibrant autumn foliage. Well-maintained trails and stairs allow you to get close to the basin of the waterfall, providing an impressive view up close. It takes about 30 minutes on foot from the large parking lot to the waterfall basin. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs can be steep and slippery.

The best time to visit is from mid-October to early November. To reach the large parking lot, take the city bus from JR Ayashi Station at platform 2 on the Akiu Onsen and Futakuchi route. The bus ride takes about 23 minutes, and the stop is right at "Akiu Otaki."

If you're coming from JR Sendai Station, buses are available only on weekends and holidays. Board at platform 8 of the west terminal, and the ride takes about 30 minutes, getting off at "Akiu Otaki."

Lake Choro is a beautiful lake with a pristine blue surface that reflects its surroundings perfectly. During the fall season, therefore, when the surrounding beech, oak, and maple trees start donning their autumn leaves, the beautiful sight is reflected upon the lake's surface. This view is the very epitome of picturesque autumn leaves in Miyagi Prefecture!

Mid-October to early November is the best time to catch this fantastic view. The most convenient way to get to Lake Choro is by car, but if you are using public transport, note that you'll have to transfer between buses that infrequently run, so be sure to include plenty of leeway in your schedule.

For bus access, take the Shichikashuku Town Bus bound for Yakuba from Shiroishizao Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen and get off at the last stop after about 50 minutes. Transfer to the Shichikashuku Town Bus bound for Yokokawa/Choro and get off at the last stop after about 25 minutes, then walk for about 10 minutes more to reach the lake proper.

This peaceful temple is located deep within the mountains on the outskirts of Sendai City. It opened its doors in 1706 and is said to bring blessings upon those who come to seek luck in romance, fertility, and personal safety.

When fall comes around to Miyagi, the trees within the temple start taking on beautiful autumn shades, making it look quite artistic, but in a tastefully Japanese way, especially with the 29-meter tall five-storied pagoda standing tall among the brilliant and beautiful leaves as they sway in the breeze.

The best time to visit is typically in late October. For access, you can take the Sendai City Bus bound for "Jogi" from platform 10 at the west bus terminal of JR Sendai Station. The ride takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes, and you'll get off at the final stop. Although the ride is around 1 hour and 15 minutes, it's a direct route from Sendai Station, so you can travel with ease.

Both sides of the canyon are decorated with broadleaf trees like beech and oak, and early October to late November is the best time to catch them in their full autumn glory, especially from the middle of Yamabiko Suspension Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in Tohoku, measuring about 120 meters (393 feet) in length. Many have had their breaths taken away by the beautiful sight the place has to offer - and it sure wasn't because of being on a suspension bridge!

Although there is a nearby bus stop, the limited number of bus services makes driving the recommended option for access. If you prefer to use public transportation, take the town-operated bus from JR Tohoku Main Line's Shiroishi Station, heading towards "Shichikashuku Town Hall," which takes about 43 minutes. Get off at the final stop, then transfer to the bus bound for "Yokokawa/Chorou" and ride for about 12 minutes. Get off at "Yamabiko no Mori," and it's about a 10-minute walk from there.

Nametsu Falls is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Miyagi Prefecture. It has a few layers of tuffs shaped like stairs, which also earned it the moniker "Two-Storied Waterfall." The waterfall is 10 meters (32 feet) tall and 30 meters (98 feet) wide, and a large quantity of water constantly flows off the edges across its entire width, a mighty sight whether from afar or up close.

Surrounding the waterfall are beech, oak, and other broadleaf trees, offering some of the best autumn leaves in Miyagi between mid-October and early November. A great viewpoint to visit is the Takimi Platform at the carpark of the nearby Shichikashuku Seasonal Market. The area also installs illuminations during the fall season every year to liven up the mood even further.

Take a bus from Shiraishi Station on the JR Lines and get off at the Shichikashukucmachi Yakuba bus stop in around 39 minutes. Change to a town bus and get off at the Nametsu Ootaki bus stop (around 15 minutes) and walk for 2 minutes to reach. As mentioned, the bus runs irregularly, so be sure to plan a lot of allowance into the schedule, just in case anything crops up.

We hope you've found the list helpful! The exact best timing to catch the autumn foliage at its peak will differ from year to year, and the dates of events being held in these places, such as night illumination events, may change as well, so always check the location's official website for the latest information before heading down!

Text by: ShoePress. English translation by: Huimin Pan.
*This article was originally published in June 2020 and updated in August 2024. Please check official websites for the latest information.