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Of the six Tohoku prefectures that are surrounded by nature, Aomori Prefecture has a particularly untouched amount of nature, and there are many famous autumn foliage spots scattered throughout the prefecture. As the northernmost prefecture in Tohoku, the leaves change color earlier than other prefectures, and although some areas have already begun to change color, you can still enjoy viewing the autumn leaves until early to mid-November
In this article, we will introduce three recommended autumn foliage driving courses from among the famous autumn foliage spots in Aomori Prefecture
Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge, and Mount Hakkoda
Road in the Hakkoda mountains
from Lake Towada along the Oirase Gorge and leadsto Mount Hakkoda .
This driving course within Towada-Hachimantai National Park allows you to enjoy a variety of untouched natural scenery, including mountains, lakes, and valleys
The best time to see the autumn leaves in this area is usually from late September to late October, but because snowfall occurs early, we recommend switching to winter tires from mid-October onwards
Enjoy the autumn leaves of Lake Towada while walking around the lakeside
Nakayama Peninsula (Lake Towada) seen from the observation deck
There are many observation decks on the outer rim of the Towada Caldera that offer a panoramic view of the lake, allowing you to enjoy the various faces of Lake Towada along with the scenery from the shore
The most common way to access the lake is via National Route 103 from the Towada Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Route 103 passes through the mountains on the south shore of the lake, but there is another route that allows you to see the lake from an observation deck
Autumn leaves and the maiden statue (Lake Towada)
Odate-Towada Lake Line: Jukai Line ), which connects from Kosaka Town to Route 103, offers a pleasant drive, with attractions such as the Kosaka Nanataki Roadside Station
Alternatively, National Route 454 runs east from Hachinohe, and National Route 102 runs along the north shore of the lake, providing access to the lake from Hirosaki and the Oirase Gorge. Route 102 also has the Oirase Bypass on the north side of the Oirase Gorge, which is recommended if the Oirase Gorge is congested during peak tourist season
Utarube Pier and Mikura Peninsula in the East Lake area of Lake Towada
The approximately 50km lakeside course, consisting of three national highways, Route 102, Route 103, and Route 454, allows you to enjoy the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves that stand out against the deep blue lake water and sky blue sky
Lake Towada <Information>
Name: Lake Towada
Location: Towada City, Aomori Prefecture and Kosaka Town, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
Google Map
Oirase Gorge passing through autumn leaves
Oirase Stream
The Oirase Gorge, which flows from the eastern shore of Lake Towada, is said to have been created when Lake Towada burst its banks long ago, causing a major flood that severely eroded the downstream area
This has resulted in numerous waterfalls and steep rock faces scattered throughout the area, creating a mountain stream landscape
Choshi Falls in the Oirase Gorge
The national highway (Routes 102 and 103 overlap) that runs alongside the mountain stream is covered with tall, leafy deciduous broadleaf trees, creating a tunnel of green in the summer and red and yellow in the fall
Autumn leaves at Tsutanuma Pond
If you continue north along the stream, you will come to a junction where Yakeyama National Highways 102 and 103 branch off. Turn left and head north on Route 103, passing Tsutanuma Numa, a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, towards Yachi Onsen
Oirase Gorge <Information>
Name: Oirase Gorge
Location: Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Google Map
Drive around the foot of Mt. Hakkoda
Autumn leaves on Mt. Hakkoda, with Aomori city and Mutsu Bay visible in the background
The area surrounding Mount Hakkoda, which is located at the northern end of the Ou Mountain Range and is made up of 18 composite volcanoes, with Odake, the highest peak, at 1,585 meters above sea level, being known as one of the world's heaviest snowfall areas, including Sukayu .
Sukayu Hot Springs
At the foot of Mt. Hakkoda, hot springs with a variety of spring qualities, including Sukayu, are gushing out, and you can enjoy a drive to see the autumn leaves while soaking in each of the hot springs
Yachi Onsen and Sukayu , where National Highways 103 and 394 overlap runs between the Kita-Hakkoda and Minami-Hakkoda volcanic groups
Hakkoda Ropeway
From Sukayu, head north on National Route 103 (Hakkoda Gold Line), and turn right onto Prefectural Route 40 (Aomori Tashiro Towada Line) just past the Hakkoda Ropeway base station to reach the northern foot of the mountain
Jogakura Bridge
By the way, past Sukayu, if you turn left onto National Route 394 near Hotel Jogakura, you will find the Jogakura Stream,Jogakura Ohashi Bridge spans,
After passing through the Tashiro Plateau and crossing the Komagome River, turn right at the intersection with National Route 394 and drive south on Route 394 for about 10km to arrive at Yachi Onsen, where you started
Mount Hakkoda <Information>
Name: Mount Hakkoda
Location: Komagome Fukazawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Google Map
Himemasu dishes you should try at Lake Towada
Kokanee
Himemasu is a freshwater fish that became a specialty of Lake Towada when Sadayuki Wainai successfully cultivated it in the area during the Meiji period, when the lake was inhabited by no other fish. The fish has beautiful, sweet salmon-pink flesh and is served as sashimi, grilled with salt, or meunière at lakeside inns and restaurants
Whole kokanee salmon sashimi
October is also the fishing season, so you can enjoy fishing
Tsugaru Plain (Mount Iwaki and Hirosaki Park)
Mount Iwaki, Tsugaru's solitary peak, will be at its best from now until mid-October when the mountain cherry trees at the foot of the mountain will turn bright red, creating a stunning contrast with the green of the pine trees
Autumn leaves and Mt. Iwaki
The driving course that goes around the foot of Mt. Iwaki takes you through bright red apples with autumn leaves in the distance
From Hirosaki City, Prefectural Route 3 ( Hirosaki-dake Ajigasawa Line ) clockwise around the foot of the mountain from the south side until you come to a fork in the road Route 30 ( Iwakisan Loop Line ). Turn right and head towards Hirosaki on Route 30.
circles the northern foothills of Mt. Iwaki on Prefectural Route 30 and joins Prefectural Route 3 near the Takaoka Forest Hirosaki Domain History Museum
Mount Iwaki <Information>
Name: Mount Iwaki
Location: Hyakuzawa Higashiiwakiyama, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Google Map
Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle) is not just about cherry blossoms, but also beautiful autumn leaves
Hirosaki Park illuminated in autumn
If you return to Hirosaki City from the foot of Mt. Iwaki on Prefectural Route 3, you will find Hirosaki Castle ahead
In spring, Hirosaki Park is filled with cherry blossoms, and in autumn, in addition to the cherry blossoms, maples and other trees turn a beautiful red, and the yellow of ginkgo trees creates a magnificent display of autumn leaves. The best time to see the leaves is usually from early to mid-November, but with the high temperatures this year, you may be able to enjoy them a little later
You can either continue driving around Hirosaki Park and enjoy the autumn leaves from the car window, or you can park your car in the parking lot and enjoy strolling around the park to see the autumn leaves
Hirosaki Castle <Information>
Facility name: Hirosaki Park
Address: 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0172-33-8739
Admission times: Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and Kitano-Kai: April 1st to November 23rd: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, April 23rd to May 5th: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Admission times: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: Mid-April to November 23rd: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, April 23rd to May 5th: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Closed: Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and Kitanokura from November 24th to March 31st, Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden from November 24th to mid-April
When eating squid sashimi, the tentacles are inevitably left over, but this local dish is made by pounding and mincing the tentacles, mixing them with chopped onions and carrots in flour, and frying them in oil
Locally, it is called " Igamenchi ," and there are various styles depending on the region and household. It is sold in restaurants and supermarkets in the Tsugaru region, so try comparing the different styles.
Shimokita Peninsula (Mount Osore and Yagen Gorge)
Autumn leaves at Mount Osore
Prefectural Route 4 ( Mutsu Osorezan Park Ohata LineMutsu City through Mount Osorezan to Ohata facing the Tsugaru Strait, is also a recommended autumn foliage driving course in Aomori Prefecture.
Autumn leaves at Yagen Gorge
Yagen located beyond Mount Osore , you can enjoy the autumn foliage of Aomori cypress, beech, wild cherry, and maple until late October. Along the stream, there are hot spring inns such as Yagen Onsen and Oku-Yagen Onsen, where you can stay overnight and enjoy a relaxing bath while gazing at the autumn leaves from the open-air bath.
Yagen Stream <Information>
Name: Yagen Stream (Yagen Hot Springs)
Location: Yagen, Ohata-cho, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
Mount Osore is closed from November to April in the winter, but you can stay at a temple lodging and bathe in the hot springs with a strong sulfur smell until October 31st just before the closing. In addition, the " Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage " will be held from October 12th (Sat) to 14th (Mon), and traffic congestion is expected in the area over these three days, so please be sure to check the traffic information.
Mount Osore <Information>
Facility name: Osorezan Bodaiji Temple
Address: 3-2 Usoriyama, Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0175-22-3825
Opening hours: 6:00-18:00
Opening period: May 1st to October 31st every year (closed during winter)
Bekomochi, a special treat from the Shimokita region
Bekomochi
It is a mochi sweet made by kneading glutinous rice flour and non-glutinous rice flour with sugar, coloring the dough, combining it into sticks or plates, and steaming it in a kamaboko-like shape. Like Kintaro candy, artistic patterns appear on the cross section no matter how you cut it, and in the Shimokita region it is eaten sliced, steamed, or baked on special occasions.
Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost of the six Tohoku prefectures, is the first to experience autumn foliage, with some areas already starting to change color. With the long winter approaching, we recommend visiting early if you want to enjoy a drive through the autumn leaves in Aomori Prefecture
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
