Japan’s Best Fall Foliage Spots: Snake Through Tochigi’s Autumn Leaves on Irohazaka
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Autumn is on its way, and in Japan that means it’s time for koyo (紅葉), the ancient tradition of fall foliage viewing! Every year crowds from around the country and overseas flock to Japan’s most beautiful fall foliage spots to see the seasons change, and watch the leaves shift from green to red. With amazing weather and colorful scenery, autumn is a great time to explore Japan, and in Nikko, Tochigi, the hills of Irohazaka offer a spectacular view of the fall scenery from the road.
Irohazaka
Irohazaka, sometimes called “Iroha Slope,” is a winding road that runs between some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Tochigi Prefecture, connecting the city of Nikko with Lake Chuzenji, and its breathtaking “Kegon no Taki” waterfall (also called Kegon Falls). Climbing a series of steep hills using hairpin turns and some long, languid curves, the Irohazaka route is divided by the Kegon Valley to create one long one-way street. One side ascends the tree-covered hillsides to bring travelers south from Nikko towards the lake, and the other loops back down in a race towards the city.
This iconic road has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Roads in Japan, thanks to the visual spectacle and exciting experience provided by its 48 hairpin turns. Those 48 curves provided the route with its name, as well. The old-fashioned reading of Japan’s basic 48-character alphabet once began with “i, ro, ha,” while the word “zaka” simply means slope, so the name Irohazaka is a little like “ABC Hill”!
Irohazaka’s serpentine road is open to traffic throughout the year, busy with the many sightseers who come to Nikko to see the famously historic shrines and temples, soak in the local hot springs, or enjoy the picturesque lakeside. But if you want to rent a car during your time in Japan to admire some of Japan’s most gorgeous autumn views, you’ll want to head to Nikko during the second half of October, when the leaves are at their most colorful. During Irohazaka’s peak season, the crisp autumn sunlight illuminates the yellows of ginkgo trees and the reds of Japanese maples to create a brilliant autumn mosaic.
Fans of classic Japanese manga and anime might already be familiar with this unique road thanks to its use as a setting in the popular street racing manga and anime Initial D, showing up as the home course of Team Emperor as well as Kai Kogashiwa and his father. While we can’t recommend attempting a drag race on this busy road, Initial D fans might enjoy a leisurely drive along the road’s many zigs and zags!
What to Do Nearby in Nikko
Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls
Lake Chuzenji itself is a popular spot for rowboats and paddleboarding, or simply camping on the shore, but many sightseers in the Nikko area aim specifically for Kegon Falls, a towering waterfall flowing from the lake’s eastern edge. These dramatic falls were originally formed when a fresh flow of lava rerouted a local river from its original course, pushing the water over a 97-meter cliff often enshrouded in clouds of damp mist. Whether surrounded by green leaves, colorful autumn foliage, or even jagged ice, the waterfall is known for its beauty all year round, and visitors can now admire the spot from viewing decks above or take an elevator down to the base of the cliff to enjoy the view from there.
Akechidaira Observation Deck
If you really want to enjoy the local scenery, you won’t want to miss this stop on the way from Nikko to Lake Chuzenji. The observation deck at the top of Akechidaira is famous for its spectacular views of the whole area, with Kegon Falls pouring down the cliff beneath the lake, and mountains rising up in all directions.
The Akechidaira Observation Deck is accessible via the Akechidaira Ropeway, which departs from the ascending portion of Irohazaka, and arrives at the viewing point in just about three minutes. These cable cars are on the other side of the mountain from Lake Chuzenji, so they offer a totally different view of the surrounding foothills.
Around Nikko Station
Nikko is known for its charming mix of natural beauty and man-made history, and many of its most historic sights are clustered closer to the train station. Don’t miss the hugely famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine, or the elegant Shinkyo Bridge, which was constructed in 1636. There’s a lot to see in Nikko regardless of the season, but during autumn everything looks a little more beautiful!
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!
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Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!
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Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!
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Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!
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Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.
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Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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