One of Tohoku's draw-cards is its intense autumn foliage. Iwate Prefecture has many incredible spots that exemplify the beauty of this season, but let's condense it down to what you can see here in Ichinoseki. Peak foliage generally starts around mid to late October (depending on altitude). Please check the Ichinoseki Foliage Map to get the best idea on when to see the foliage (scroll mid-way on the linked site to view the map. Pink/red indicates peak foliage).
Without further adieu, I will rank my favourite autumn spots in Ichinoseki.
An easy walk from Ichinoseki Station, and the best place to view of the city. The vibrant maples leaves are lit up at night during peak foliage (Nov 1st-10th 2024 from 5pm to 8pm).
Genbikei's vivid emerald green waters contrast spectacularly with the autumn foliage. Kakko-ya (the flying dango shop) also has a charming outdoor setting with bright red umbrellas and tables that go well with the colors of the season.
Although a spectacle all year round, autumn is a highly recommended season to experience Geibikei Gorge. In addition to the rock faces being colored in autumn splendor, the leaves that flutter down onto the water sprinkle the Satetsu River with colour.
3) Kurikoma Yakeishi Hotline 栗駒焼石ほっとライン:
A newly constructed road that bridges Ichinoseki and Oshu City. Indulge in some incredible views of mountains and forests, speckled in vibrant reds to greens in the comfort of your car. A recommended spot en route is Isawa Dam; when the water is still it reflects the foliage perfectly.
2) Matsurube Oohashi 祭畤大橋:
A relatively unknown spot with an astonishing view of the remnants of a bridge that collapsed during the Iwate/Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake of 2008. As you walk a certain way up the damaged bridge, you get a nauseating sense of the horrors of the great earthquake.
Said to be one of the best places in all of Japan for autumn foliage, every step hiking up Mount Kurikoma is a dynamic experience and the view from the summit is unbe-leaf-able! Different stages of multicolored foliage can be experienced from early October closer to the summit, through to mid-October further down the mountain. Once you are done climbing, take a dip in a hot spring.
* Roads are closed off from late Oct/early Nov onward to about March due to snowfall * Lake Showa to the summit has been closed off, take the Ubunuma Course to the summit.
*Make sure to see if any volcano warnings are in place.
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