This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
in Akita City, where you can easily enjoy viewing the autumn leaves in the city,Senshu Parkin Kakunodatethe samurai residencesPopular autumn foliage spots in Akita Prefecture include
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 site "Akita Fan"
This is the nickname for the approximately 40km-long prefectural road connecting Kazuno City to Hachimantai City in Iwate Prefecture. Its official name is "Iwate Prefectural Road/Akita Prefectural Road No. 23Obuke-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"
Furthermore, when the road reopens in April, a "snow corridorthe famous "Dragon Eyeallowing visitors to see
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"
located near Goshogake OnsenGoshogake Nature Research Trailhigh-temperature hot spring vents, fumaroles, and mud pods that spew out hot mud.is a spot where you can observe volcanic phenomena such as
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, which is adorned with autumn foliage, you will see the "40th Parallel North Line" monument on your right, and you will come to a T-junction where it intersects with National Route 341.
Turning left will take you to Lake Tazawa via Tamagawa Onsen, which is also a scenic autumn foliage drive, butMichi-no-Eki Kazuno Antoraawe also recommend turning right and stopping by
Kazuno's northernmost peach Source: Akita Prefecture official tourism site "Akita Fan"
Kazuno is a region where fruit cultivation, such as apples, is thriving, but among them, the "northernmost peaches" are particularly popular because they can be enjoyed until late September, later than in other peach-producing regions.
made with the juice of peaches grown at the northernmost limit of their distribution,Northernmost Peach Soft Serve Ice Creamat 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"
Furthermore, this roadside station alsoHanawa Bayashi" festival are lined upFestival Exhibition Hall, allowing visitors to experience the culture of Kazuno.
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 Tazawako Lakeside Line, and Prefectural Road 247 Ainaigata Katanō Line) run along the lakeshore, and a recommended route is to circle the lake amidst the autumn foliage.
Lake Tazawa Blue Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Akita Fan"
"Tazawako 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"
from April to early NovemberLake Tazawa Sightseeing Boat" operates
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"
standing on the western shore of the lakeTatsuko statuedepicts a legend associated with 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
, located on the shores of Lake Tazawa,Tatsuko Chayathere.is considered the birthplace of miso tanpo, and you can enjoy fragrant miso tanpo grilled over a 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 stretching from Yuzawa City in the southern part of the prefecture to the border with Miyagi Prefecture is known as the "SanzuRiver Caldera," and is home to numerous fumarole areas with high geothermal activity, such as Kawarage Jigoku, offering many secluded hot springs and opportunities to enjoy autumn foliage.
from the Sugawa Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway,Prefectural Road 51 (Yuzawa-Kurikoma Park Lineruns alongPrefectural Road 310 (Akinomiya-Koyasu Onsen LineThis is an approximately 40km course that starts
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
where autumn leaves spread out on both sides from Kawarage Jigoku to Akinomiya Onsenkyo,Komachi Yuttari Road,ends at the intersection with National Route 108.
If you turn left at this intersection, you'll find a footbath spot called "Kawahara no Yukko," which is a rare footbath that uses naturally occurring 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"
While Yuzawa City is famous for its Inaniwa udon noodles as a local specialty, it alsoHolland-yakihas a local snack called
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 when it's grilled resembles a Dutch windmill. It's considered a soul food for the people of Yuzawa, and can now be found throughout southern Akita Prefecture and even in Akita City, but TakaichiSeikatenis particularly popular as a long-established shop.
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'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!
![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]")
