Japan’s Northern Alps: 5 Unbelievable Autumn Landscape You MUST See
Autumn is the most magical season. A season where nature comes
alive with its vibrant colors. And there’s no better place to
experience its magic than Japan. As the season turns, the northern Japanese elves become a canvas for this
incredible transformation. I’ve journeyed through these regions to bring you the five most breathtaking autumn
scenery you have to see to believe. Kamikochi is a scenic mountain valley
in the Nagano Prefecture known for its stunning views of the Japanese Alps and
Azusa River. The best way to enjoy the autumn foliage in Kamikochi is by hiking the
trails from Taisho Pond to Dakesawa March. Taisho pond was formed in 1915 when an eruption of a nearby volcano Mount
Yaridake damned the Azusa River. The trail to Dakasawa March is
particularly beautiful during the autumn folliage season which
usually peaks in mid October. The trail is mostly flat and requires no
hiking experience and only an hour of time. It passes through serene alpine forests
of larch and pine, small rivers and ponds. Tashiro Pond, one of the Kamikochi’s most scenic
spots, is a small pond surrounded by marsh land. It is located along the hiking trail that
connects the Kappa bridge with Taisho pond. Auzusa River flows to the heart
of Japan’s stunning northern Alps. This river is more than just
a natural marvel. It crystal clear waters and serene charm are a heaven
for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The hike culminates at the Kappa
bridge, the heart of Kamikochi Kappabashi is a suspension bridge over Azusa
River. Here the full spectacular panaroma opens up the sweeping river valley framed by
the iconic Hotaka and Yari mountain ranges. Our trip began at the Ogizawa bus terminal where electric buses transport passengers
through a tunnel to Kurobe Dam. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is a unique
and spectacular journey through the northern Japan Alps. It is a journey where you
can see four season in just one day. The route’s main attraction is a stunning
views of the Tateyama mountain range. Visitors can experience different
landscapes throughout the seasons. Crossing the Kurobe Dam will bring
you to the Kurobeco station where a cable car will bring you
to the Kurobedaiya station. This station serve as a transfer point
between the Tateyama ropeway and the Kurobeko station featuring a restaurant,
souvenir shop and a stunning mountain wheels. One of the highlights of our
trip was the ropeway ride to Murado. This cable car is one of the
longest single span ropeway in Japan, and it offers breathtaking view without
any support poles blocking your sight. In just 20 minutes, we reached the Murado
Station at an elevation of 2,450 m. The landscape here was covered in complete white from a recent snowstorm. At the Murado
Plateau, we took a hike to Mikuri Lake. Located just a short 30
minutes drive from Kamikochi, Norikura Kogen is a place of breathtaking
natural beauty. There are many attractions in Norikura Kogen. The following are what
I feel is the three most scenic ones. The once a year bright and beautiful
sight of the great maple of Norikura is a must visit destination. We
are extremely lucky and excited to be there just in time when the
red maple leaf is in full bloom. In October, the vibrant red leaf of the maple tree
bloom for just a week before gracefully falling. Maimoneke pond among the many ponds
in Norikura Kogen stands out with its colorful forest backdrop and
breathtaking mountain view. We embark on a scenic hill
hike along a gentle trail surrounded by vibrant autumn hills until
we reach the captivating Maimoneke pond. Zengora Falls, the most accessible and visually
striking, was just a 70 m walk from the center. Along the way, we stroll through
a forest filled with beautiful yellow autumn leaf as if stepping into a
picture perfect scene from a fairy tale. After a 20 minutes walk, we were greeted
by the breathtaking sight of the waterfall. The trail starts from Kamikochi and follows along
the Azusa River to Yooku Hut. From the Yooko hut, the trail climbs steeply for 3 hours
before reaching the Karasawa Cirque. The 6 to 7 hours hike will make you question
why you choose this challenging trail. But the view of the mountains and the vivid
autumn leaves color will leave you speechless. Karasawa is one of the most gorgeous spots in
Kamikochi or even in Japan, especially in autumn. The best time to see autumn leaf around Karazawa region is usually from mid
September to mid October. I’ve seen pictures of autumn leaf, but to see it
with my own eyes is a totally different thing. We are here at the Karasawa Goya hut
after around 7 to 8 hours of hiking. We have a great balcon balcony here looking at
the Karasawa Cirque and of course the Hotaka mountain range. Once you arrive at the Karasawa
Cirque, you could choose to stay at the Karasawa Goya Hut to enjoy the scenery which we did and the
experience is something that we will never forget. The last autumn spot is located in the Hakuba
mountain range. Among the many natural wonders, Happo pond stands as a true gem and is most famous for reflecting the Hakuba peaks
on its surface like a mirror. Mother nature, however, has
her own intention. Expecting a relaxing autumn atmosphere, our hiking
journey has turned into a snowy adventure. It began to snow once we reached the top of the chairlift and transform the
whole landscape to snowy white. Even though we could not see
the autumn colors on this hike, this is still a beautiful place to visit.
Thank you for watching until the end and we hope that you will have an amazing
experience of autumn in Japan Alps.
Join me on a journey through Japan’s most stunning autumn destinations in the Northern Japanese Alps! From vibrant foliage to unexpected snow adventures, discover five incredible spots that showcase nature’s breathtaking transformation.
📍 Destinations Featured:
Kamikōchi – Scenic mountain valley in Nagano Prefecture with stunning views of the Japanese Alps and Azusa River. Best enjoyed by hiking from Taishō Pond to Dakesawa Marsh.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – Spectacular journey through the Northern Japan Alps featuring cable cars, ropeways, and electric buses. Experience four seasons in one day with vibrant autumn colors peaking from late September to early November.
Norikura Kōgen – Breathtaking natural beauty just 30 minutes from Kamikōchi. Highlights include:
– The Great Maple of Norikura (vibrant red leaves for one week in October)
– Maimenoike Pond with colorful forest backdrop
– Zengoro Falls surrounded by beautiful yellow autumn leaves
Karasawa Cirque – One of Japan’s most gorgeous autumn spots, especially from mid-September to mid-October. A challenging 6-7 hour hike rewards with spectacular mountain views and vivid autumn colors.
Hakuba Mountain Range – Home to Happo Pond, famous for mirror-like reflections of Hakuba peaks. Our autumn hike turned into a snowy adventure, proving that every season brings its own magic!
“Which of these autumn spots would you most want to visit? Let me know in the comments below!”
📍 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Kamikochi
05:17 Tatejama Kurobe Alpine Route
08:16 Norikura Kogen
11:12 Karasawa Cirque
13:21 Happo Pond
#JapanAutumn #JapaneseAlps #FallFoliage #JapanTravel #Kamikochi #Norikura #Hakuba #TateyamaKurobeDam
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