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Popular spots for viewing autumn leaves in Akita Prefecture include Senshu Park in Akita City, where you can easily enjoy autumn leaves in the city, the samurai residences in Kakunodate
However, there are also many driving routes where you can enjoy the view of the vibrantly colored autumn leaves from the car window in the midst of nature
In this article, we will introduce three courses that we particularly recommend for the coming season
Hachimantai Aspite Line (Kazuno City)
Autumn leaves on the Aspite Line Source: Akita Prefecture official tourism website "Akita Fan"
This is the nickname for the approximately 40km prefectural road that connects Kazuno City to Hachimantai City in Iwate Prefecture, and its official name is " Iwate Prefectural Road/Akita Prefectural Road No. 23 Obuke Hachimantai Line ."
On the Iwate side, the Mikaeri Pass near the summit of Mt. Hachimantai is the dividing line, and on the Akita side, you can enjoy the wide view of the autumn leaves on the plateau with fewer mountains and trees
Additionally, there are many autumn foliage viewing spots, such as Lake Onuma, between Mikaeri Pass and National Route 341. The best viewing time is until late October, and the road is closed for the winter from early November
The Dragon Eye that appears in spring Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
When the road reopens in April, a " snow corridor you'll be able to see the dragon eye of Kagami-numa
Aspite Line <Information>
Name: Hachimantai Aspite Line (Akita Prefectural Route 23)
Location: Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
Goshogake Onsen
Goshogake Onsen (winter)
There are many hot springs around Hachimantai in both prefectures, but Goshogake Onsen, located along the road on the Akita side, is particularly effective and is known for its black hot spring eggs
Goshogake Nature Study Trail Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
The Goshogake Nature Study Trail located near Goshogake Onsen , is a spot where you can observe volcanic phenomena such as high-temperature hot spring vents, fumaroles, and mud pods that spew out hot mud .
Goshogake Onsen＜Information＞
Name: Goshogake Onsen
Location: Kumazawa National Forest, Hachimantai, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
"Northernmost Peach Soft Serve Ice Cream" at "Kazuno Roadside Station Antraa"
Kazuno Roadside Station Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
After descending the Aspite Line lined with autumn leaves, you will see the " 40th Parallel Line " monument on your right and come to a T-junction where it intersects with National Route 341.
If you turn left, you will pass through Tamagawa Onsen and head to Lake Tazawa, which is also a spectacular autumn foliage driving course, but we also recommend turning right and stopping at Kazuno Antler Roadside Station
Kazuno's northernmost peach Source: Akita Prefecture official tourism site "Akita Fan"
Kazuno is a region where apples and other fruit trees are cultivated, and the " northernmost peach " is particularly popular as it can be enjoyed until late September, later than in other peach-producing areas.
Northernmost Peach Soft Serve Ice Cream made with the juice of these northernmost peaches at the roadside station.
A food stall on display at the festival exhibition hall at the roadside station. Source: Akita Prefecture official tourism website "Akita Fan"
This roadside station also festival exhibition hall where you can experience the culture of Kazuno, with a Hanawa Bayashi floats on display
Please note that opening hours have been shortened to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (toilets and rest areas are available 24 hours a day)
Kazuno Roadside Station <Information>
Facility name: Kazuno Roadside Station Antler
Address: 11-4 Hanawa Shindencho, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
A stroll around the deep blue Lake Tazawa (Semboku City)
Autumn leaves at Lake Tazawa
It is a beautiful circular caldera lake with a circumference of approximately 20km and a diameter of approximately 6km. With a maximum depth of 423.4m, it is the deepest in Japan and is known for not freezing even in the middle of winter
Three Akita Prefectural Roads ( Prefectural Road 38 Tazawako Nishiki Line, Prefectural Road 60 Tazawakohan Line, and Prefectural Road 247 Ainogata Kata no Line ) are located along the lakeside, and we recommend taking a course that goes around the lake with its autumn leaves.
Lake Tazawa Blue Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
" Lake Tazawa Blue or " Persian Blue ," can be enjoyed from mid-October to early November.
Lake Tazawa Pleasure Boat Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
the Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat operates from April to early November
Lake Tazawa＜Information＞
Name: Lake Tazawa
Location: Semboku City, Akita Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
The legend of Tatsuko passed down around the lake
Tatsuko Statue Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
Tatsuko Statue standing on the west shore of the lake depicts the legend surrounding Lake Tazawa.
Long ago, a beautiful girl named Tatsuko who lived in Kaminari Village on the shores of Lake Tazawa wished to attain immortality and drank the water from a spring as per the divine revelation of Kannon
No matter how much water she drank, she always felt thirsty, and after drinking it repeatedly, she transformed into a dragon and became the master of Lake Tazawa
The legend continues, saying that a man named Hachiro, who was the lord of Lake Hachirogata in the north, fell in love with Tatsuko and began living at Lake Tazawa
As a result, Lake Tazawa became even deeper, and conversely, Lake Hachirogata, without its owner, became even shallower
Statue of Tatsuko <Information>
Facility name: Tatsuko statue
Location: Nishikimachi, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, Saimyoji, Katajiri
Phone number: 0187-43-2111 (Semboku City Tazawako Tourist Information Center "Folake")
Kiritanpo, a local specialty of Akita, is usually eaten in a hotpot, but in the Tazawako area it is eaten as misotanpo, which is skewered, coated with sweet and spicy miso, and grilled
Tatsuko Chaya located on the shores of Lake Tazawa, miso tantampo , and you can enjoy fragrant miso tantampo baked over an open hearth.
Miso Tanpo (Tatsuko Chaya) <Information>
Facility name: Tatsuko Chaya
Address: 40-1 Nakayama, Lake Tazawa, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
Sanzu River Valley - Kawarage Jigoku - Akinomiya Onsen (Yuzawa City)
Sanzu River Valley Source: Akita Prefecture Yuzawa City Tourism and Products Association Official Website
The area from Yuzawa City in the south of the prefecture to the border with Miyagi Prefecture is known as the Sanzu River Caldera , and is home to many highly geothermal fumarolic zones such as Kawarage Jigoku, as well as numerous hidden hot springs and autumn foliage viewing spots.
This is a 40km course that runs from Sukawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway to Sanzu River Valley Prefectural Route 51 Yuzawa Kurikoma Park LinePrefectural Route 310 Akinomiya Oyasu Onsen Line
Kawarage Jigoku, where you can see the autumn leaves turning red. Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
Along Prefectural Route 51, "Cosmos Line," approximately 60,000 cosmos flowers bloom before the autumn leaves change color, and Prefectural Route 310, "Komachi Yuttari Road," is a mountain road that runs through fumarolic areas such as Kawarage Jigoku and beautiful autumn-colored forests
Please note that both prefectural roads are closed during the winter (November to May), so please check road information in advance from November onwards
Sanzu River Valley: The entrance to hell
The Sanzu River Valley is said to be the entrance to Kawarage Jigoku, and from the Sanzu River Bridge, where stone statues of King Enma and others stand, you can see autumn leaves clinging to the 40m high cliffs
From the Sanzu River Valley, drive along Prefectural Route 51 for a while, then switch to Prefectural Route 310 and drive for a while until you see the source of the hot spring steaming along the road and arrive at Doroyu Onsen town
Sanzu River Valley <Information>
Name: Sanzu River Valley
Location: Takamatsu, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
Doroyu Onsen, a hidden hot spring in the mountains
Doroyu Onsen Town Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
This hot spring resort is said to have been discovered in the early Heian period, and has the atmosphere of a hidden hot spring hidden among the autumn foliage of the surrounding mountains.Currently, there are two hot spring inns, Okuyama Ryokan and Ogura Ryokan
Kawarage Jigoku (acid alteration zone of Kawarage)
Kawarage Jigoku Source: Akita Prefecture Yuzawa City Tourism and Products Association Official Website
The white ash plateau, where no trees can grow due to hydrothermal eruptions and volcanic gas fumes, is called Jigoku, and is considered one of Japan's three most sacred places, along with Mount Osore (Aomori Prefecture) and Mount Tateyama (Toyama Prefecture)
The contrast with the surrounding vibrant autumn leaves is beautiful and can be seen from the car window on Prefectural Route 310. To get a closer look at the fumarole, you can walk along the promenade from the parking lot, but please be careful not to enter any restricted areas as volcanic gases containing hydrogen sulfide are emitted here and there
Kawarage Jigoku <Information>
Name: Kawarage Hell
Location: Takamatsu Banzawa, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
GOOGLE MAP
Akinomiya Onsen Village's "Riverside Bath"
The temperature is adjusted by digging a hole and mixing hot spring water with river water. Source: Akita Prefecture Yuzawa City Tourism and Products Association Official Website
Komachi Yuttari Road , with autumn leaves spreading on both sides from Kawarage Jigoku to Akinomiya Onsenkyo, ends at the intersection with National Route 108.
Turn left at this intersection and you will come to a foot bath spot called " Kawahara no Yukko ," a rare foot bath that uses natural hot spring water.
You can freely dig in the riverbed of the Yakunai River using a shovel that is available for free rental, and mix the hot spring water with the river water to enjoy a foot bath at the temperature of your choice
Free rental shovels at the management hut Source: Akita Prefecture Yuzawa City Tourism and Products Association Official Website
You can have ramen or other dishes delivered to a nearby restaurant or riverside, and enjoy your meal while admiring the autumn leaves and soaking your feet in the footbath
Riverside Baths <Information>
Facility name: Kawara no Yukko
Address: 83 Akinomiya Yunotai, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
Cross section of Dutch ware Source: Akita Prefecture official tourism site "Akita Fan"
Yuzawa City is famous for its local dish, Inaniwa udon, but there is also a local gourmet dish that originated in Yuzawa called Oranda-yaki
The sweet and fluffy dough, similar to obanyaki or imagawayaki, is filled with ham and plenty of mayonnaise, creating an exquisite balance between the saltiness and the sweetness of the dough
There is plenty of mayonnaise on top of the ham. Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
The name comes from the fact that the ham placed on top of the dish when it is grilled resembles a Dutch windmill, and it is said to be the soul food of the people of Yuzawa. Today, it can be found throughout southern Akita Prefecture and Akita City, but the long-established Takaichi Seikaten is particularly popular.
Dutch Yaki (Takaichi Seikaten) <Information>
Facility name: Takaichi Fruit and Vegetable Store
Address: 1-1-28 Omotemachi, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture
In this article, we have selected a route from the many roads in Akita Prefecture where you can enjoy autumn foliage driving, where you can enjoy viewing the autumn leaves from late October to early November
All of these roads are in the mountains, and are narrow and have sharp curves with poor visibility, so please enjoy your drive safely without being distracted by the autumn leaves
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!
![Akita Catch](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "The pride of the six Tohoku prefectures: "Constructed in peacetime, yet with a sturdy structure!" Kubota Castle, located in a prime location in front of the station [Akita City, Akita Prefecture]")
![Akita Catch](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/979a38324ff45520e274bdc0cee6df5e-150x150.jpg.webp "The pride of the six Tohoku prefectures: "Constructed in peacetime, yet with a sturdy structure!" Kubota Castle, located in a prime location in front of the station [Akita City, Akita Prefecture]")
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