Picture-Perfect Trip: 3 Must-See Autumn Spots in the Hokuriku Region
If Japan is a popular place to visit in the fall, that’s because of koyo, the Japanese word for autumn leaves. The sight of trees in blazing shades of red and orange is simply breathtaking, one that nature-loving tourists can’t afford to miss.
To catch the beauty of autumn in Japan with your own eyes, here are three of the best autumn destinations in Japan’s Hokuriku region worth visiting. These locations paint a wonderful fall scenery like no other, so be sure to bring your camera along to snap some photos!
1) Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Toyama Prefecture)
One of the top mountain sightseeing routes in the world, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route runs through the Northern Alps at an altitude of 3,000 meters that connects Toyama Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. It is hailed as one of the best autumn spots in Japan, as you can easily enjoy the fantastic scenery created by nature while using different modes of transportation to get around.
Along with the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Range in Hokkaido, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the places where autumn leaves appear earliest in Japan. Here, the annual changing of the leaves starts appearing around mid-September.
The usual reds and yellows aren’t the only fall colors to admire. You’ll also see dark green from the Pinus pumila as well as light green from the Sasa Kurilensis. No wonder Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route attracts thousands of tourists in the fall each year.
If you want to take great photos, it’s a must to ride the ropeway that connects Daikanbo Station and Kurobedaira Station. At an altitude of 2,316 meters, the ropeway allows you to see Lake Kurobe, Tanbodaira, and Daikanbo from up above. At such a height, where there are no structures blocking your view, you can get a clear view of the brightly colored autumn leaves that spread before your eyes like a painting.
While on the ropeway, look out for the three-layered autumn leaves, a view of a stunning landscape that includes the snow on the high mountains, autumn leaves in the middle, and green leaves at the foot of the mountain.
Spot Information
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Name: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Access:
Website: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (English)
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2) Kenrokuen (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Along with Mito Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture and Korakuen Garden in Okayama Prefecture, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty, the garden is a fine representation of the Daimyo gardens of the Edo period (1603-1867).
A wide variety of flora thrives in the garden, treating you to spectacular views all year round. Apart from the seasonal flowers, around 340 maple trees, 420 cherry trees, 60 zelkova trees, euonymus, and Enkianthus perulatus are found in the park.
If you want to see autumn leaves, this Japan destination is best visited in November. Throughout the month, the appearance of red and gold colors is a popular attraction for many tourists.
Even the mountains that surround the park are also covered in autumn leaves. These, plus the park’s very own trees, makes for a great panoramic shot. To get the best photos, head to spots overlooking the garden, such as Kasumigaike Pond from the summit of the artificial Mt. Sazaeyama, which stands at about 9 meters.
When you visit Kenrokuen Garden during autumn, you’ll notice that the trees are tightly tied with ropes. This is called Yukizuri, a winter practice to ensure tree branches do not break under the weight of snow. The melding of two seasons beautifully together creates a sublime scene that you’ll only see in Japan.
Visit the area after sunset, as Kanazawa Castle Park, Gyokusen-inmaru Garden, and Kenrokuen Garden are illuminated at night during autumn. The best part? You can gain admission to Kenrokuen Garden for free during illumination hours!
Spot Information
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Name: Kenrokuen Garden |
3) Kuzuryu Lake (Fukui Prefecture)
Kuzuryu Lake is an artificial lake created with the construction of the dam on the Kuzuryu River. Due to its huge temperature difference between day and night, the place encourages the growth of colorful autumn leaves, creating a crimson world spread across the whole area. These conditions have made Kuzuryu Lake one of the best autumn spots in Japan.
The best time to see the autumn leaves is from late October to mid-November. Around this season, you can see the fiery trees all around, but we also recommend taking your photos from the Hakogase Bridge. The bridge was constructed as a prototype of the Great Seto Bridge, and it elegantly blends with the splendid mountain scenery and the gigantic dam lake.
Spot Information
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Name: Kuzuryu Lake |
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