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 this article, we will introduce three routes and the delicious local specialties from among the recommended autumn foliage driving courses in Miyagi Prefecture for the coming season
There are two routes from the northern and southern parts of the prefecture that take in classic autumn foliage spots, and the other is a route within Sendai city that allows you to enjoy the great outdoors
Naruko Gorge to Onikobe Onsen (Osaki City: National Route 47, National Route 108)
Autumn leaves at Naruko Gorge Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
Naruko Gorge in the northern part of the prefecture is also called "Narukokyo" or "Narugokyo" in the Sendai dialect, and is a gorge about 4 kilometers long located between Nakayamadaira Onsen and the Naruko Onsen hot spring resort area on the Daiya River
National Route 47, which passes through Naruko Gorge, and National Route 108, which runs from Naruko Onsen town to Onikobe Onsen, are famous autumn foliage spots representing Miyagi Prefecture, and are bustling with drivers until early November
Narukokyo Rest House
Ofukazawa Bridge seen from Narukokyo Rest House. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
Located upstream of Naruko Gorge, it offers a spectacular view of the gorge, and the Ofukazawa Bridge on National Route 47, seen from the nearby observation deck, is a classic spot for viewing autumn leaves
From here, you can walk along the Naruko Promenade along the valley to enjoy the autumn leaves, and from the suspension bridge called Kaikeibashi you can look up at Ofukasawa Bridge from below
Naruko Gorge Promenade Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
The restaurant recommends the mushroom soup, which is only available during the autumn foliage season, but there are often long lines and it can sell out
Narukokyo Rest House <Information>
Facility name: Narukokyo Rest House
Address: 13-5 Hoshinuma, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Naruko Dam Source: Wikipedia (File name: Naruko Dam survey.jpg Photographer: Qurren)
National Route 108 is a road connecting Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture to Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture. It is also known as the " Ugo Highway " and is a popular autumn foliage driving route nicknamed the " Senshu Sunline ."
From Naruko Onsen town to Kashiwagihara, just before Onikobe OnsenHanabuchiyama Bypass, as you can enjoy the autumn foliage and the scenery of Naruko Dam and Lake Arao.
Naruko Dam <Information>
Name: Naruko Dam
Location: Iwabuchi, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Phone number: 0229-82-2341 (Naruko Dam Management Office)
If you visit Naruko Onsen, be sure to try the " chestnut dumplings " at " Mochidokoro Fukase ," a shop in the hot spring town that is said to have been making them for over 100 years
A whole, fluffy chestnut in syrup is wrapped in mochi and eaten with a warm, sweet and spicy mitarashi bean paste, making this a perfect Japanese sweet for the upcoming chilly season
On rare occasions, they are sold at Fujisaki Department Store in Sendai, but the policy is to sell freshly made products in-store, and they sell out on the same day
Reservations can be made up until the morning of the day of your visit, and if you make a reservation, you can also purchase the tickets at the souvenir shops of hotels and inns in Naruko Onsen (please refer to the official website)
Shichikashuku (Shichikashuku Town, Kanda District: National Route 113, Prefectural Route 51)
Autumn leaves near Shichikashuku Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
Located south of the Zao mountain range , Shichikashuku town boasts numerous spots where you can enjoy autumn foliage until mid-November, including Yokogawa Gorge, Choro Lake, Shichikashuku Dam, and Shichikashuku Lake
Here we will introduce National Route 113 (Michinoku Fairy Tale Road) which leads to Yamagata, and Prefectural Route 51 (Minami Zao Shichikashuku Line) which branches off from it and heads towards Yokokawa Valley and Lake Chojo
Nametsu Falls Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
The town's name originates from the seven post towns ( Kamitozawa, Shimotozawa, Watase, Seki, Nametsu, Togeta, and Yuhara ) located along the border with Yamagata Prefecture , and as you drive along the road, the remains of these post towns appear one after another.
National Route 113 is known for its delicious soba restaurants, and is a driving route where you can enjoy the natural scenery of each season: snow in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in autumn
We especially recommend parking your car at Lake Shichikashuku and Nametsu Otaki, getting out and taking your time to admire the autumn leaves
Yokogawa Valley Suspension Bridge Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
The Yamabiko Suspension Bridge in Yokogawa Valley, located along Prefectural Road 51, and the autumn foliage around Chojako Lake can be enjoyed in vibrant colors until around mid-November.
There are many Jomon period ruins around Yokokawa Valley, so we recommend visiting them and enjoying the autumn leaves while immersing yourself in history
Lake Choro with autumn leaves. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
Both have parking lots so you can get there by car, but since they are far from the prefectural road, it's best to allow yourself plenty of time when visiting
Shichikashuku Town, long known as a famous soba-producing area, has four soba restaurants that compete with each other in taste and individuality. Since all of them are located along the main road that runs through the town, the " Michinoku Otogi Kaido " is also known as the " Soba Kaido" (Soba Road )
At each restaurant you can taste handmade soba noodles made with buckwheat flour from Shichikashuku, so if you're a soba fan, it might be fun to visit all four restaurants and compare the flavors
Soba noodle making experience in Shichikashuku Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
There are also plans for a soba noodle making experience, so why not try tasting some soba noodles that you have made yourself?
Shichikashuku Town <Information>
Name: Shichikashuku Soba Highway (Shichikashuku Town Tourism Site)
Location: Shichikashuku Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture
Phone number: 0224-37-2177 (Shichikashuku Town Hometown Promotion Division, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section)
Autumn leaves at Futakuchi Gorge Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
The Futakuchi Kaido, a 30-kilometer- long road stretching from Moniwa in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City , to the border with Yamagata Prefecture , is a scenic autumn foliage drive along the Natori River, not far from the city center of Sendai
The section from Akiu Onsen to the Sendai City Akiu Visitor Center, where the trailhead and campsite information desk are located, is a pleasant drive, although there are some narrow sections of the road
Rairaikyo Gorge
Strange rock formations at Rairaikyo Gorge Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
This gorge is home to a beautiful landscape of huge rocks and strangely shaped rocks formed by the erosion of the Natori River
From cars driving along the prefectural road, all you can see are the autumn leaves. If you want to enjoy the gorge, it's best to park in the free parking lot near the "Akiu Onsen Entrance" intersection and descend to the riverside promenade from Nozoki Bridge for a stroll.
Peeping Bridge♡Heart Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
There is a heart-shaped formation in a rock crevice visible from Nozoki Bridge, and it has been designated a " Lover's Sanctuary " as " Nozoki Bridge ♡ Heart ," making it a popular spot for couples
Rairikyo <Information>
Name: Rairaikyo Gorge
Location: Yumoto, Akiu-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Towering Iwashi Rock Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
A series of rocks towering vertically like a folding screen stretches for about 3 kilometers in the canyon of autumn leaves, creating a powerful and majestic view
The road from Akiu Visitor Center to here is paved but narrow, so please drive carefully
Iwashiiwa <Information>
Name: Banjiiwa
Location: Baba, Akiu-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Phone number: 022-398-2323 (Taihaku Ward Office Akiu General Branch)
The ohagi (rice cakes) filled with red bean paste, sold at a small supermarket called " Shufu no Mise Saichi " in the Akiu Onsen hot spring resort area , has become a huge hit, with some days seeing over 5,000 units sold
The ohagi (rice cakes) made with a blend of glutinous rice from Miyagi Prefecture, called "Miyakogane Mochi," and non-glutinous rice, and generously filled with mildly sweet red bean paste from Hokkaido, are proving to be extremely popular.
Because it is so popular at Saichi that there is a line every morning before the store opens, many people have expressed their desire for it to be sold at other stores, and it is now sold on the second floor of the East Building of S-PAL Sendai only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but because the quantity is limited, it sells out quickly
Since no additives are used, the product does not keep well and is not sold online, so to ensure you get your hands on one, it's best to line up at Saichi early in the morning
In addition to the " anko " (sweet red bean paste) ohagi, Saichi also makes ohagi with " kinako " (roasted soybean flour) , " sesame ," and " natto" (fermented soybeans) (available only from October to May) , all of which are popular
Due to heavy rains in July this year, the JR Rikuu East Line is still closed as of October, and replacement buses are being operated, raising concerns about traffic congestion in Naruko Onsen during the autumn foliage season
When heading towards Naruko, we recommend that you pay attention to traffic information and plan your drive with plenty of time
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.
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