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In Yamagata Prefecture, the leaves have already begun to change color around high altitude driving routes such as the Zao and Azuma mountain ranges, and are at their peak, but they will soon begin to gradually descend into the countryside
In this article, we will introduce three routes where you can enjoy autumn foliage drives even in November, as well as recommended gourmet food in the surrounding area
Mogami Gorge (Tozawa Village to Shonai Town: National Route 47)
Autumn leaves in Mogami Gorge Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Travel to Yamagata"
The 16km midstream section of the Mogami River from Furukuchi in Tozawa Village to Kiyokawa in Shonai Town is called Mogami Gorge
The national highway runs parallel to the JR Rikuu West Line, and is a beautiful driving route with mountains covered in autumn leaves of mountain maples and other trees lining both banks of the Mogami River
Mogami River Boat Trip Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Travel to Yamagata"
There is also a boat ride in Mogami Gorge, where Matsuo Basho is said to have taken a boat ride, allowing you to enjoy the autumn leaves from the river, and the river is designed so that you can board the boat even while on a drive
You can enjoy the scenery of autumn leaves reflected on the river surface while feeling the refreshing river breeze, which is a bit different from viewing it from a train window
Mogami River Basho Line Boat Ride
Mogami River Basho Line Boat Ride Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
The boat ride takes you leisurely down the river for about an hour, surrounded by autumn leaves that spread across both banks of the Mogami River, with the boatman giving tourist information in his Mogami dialect and boat songs playing in the background
Three trips are operated per day throughout the year, but during the autumn foliage season the number of trips is increased to four per day until Sunday, November 10th, and heated boats are in operation from December to March
Furukuchi Port in Tozawa Village Kusanagi Port near Shiraito Falls . There are three ways to get back to your car:
Return to Furukuchi Port by local bus: Buses run according to the ship's arrival time
Return to Furukuchi Port on the boat you were on: an exhilarating activity of sailing upstream at full throttle
Have your car delivered to Kusanagi Port: You can get off the ship and continue driving right away
Please note that car transfers are by reservation only
of the Hongokai ferry landing further upstream where Matsuo Basho boarded his ship , and a route has also been set up from there.
Mogami River Basho Line Boat Ride <Information>
Name: Mogami River Basho Line Boat Ride
Operation period: All year round
Boarding location: Furukuchi Port (Tozawa Domain Ship Station), 86-1 Furukuchi, Tozawa Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture
Disembarkation location: Kusanagi Port (River Station, Mogami Gorge Kusanagi), 1525-2 Furukuchi, Tozawa Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture
For inquiries, please contact: Mogami Gorge Basho Line Tourism Co., Ltd
Another boat ride: "Mogami River Boat Ride: Yoshitsune Romantic Tour"
Sennin-do Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
The tour departs from Takaya, located between Furukuchi and Kusanagi, and returns to Takaya after visiting Sennin-do, a temple on the opposite bank that can only be reached by boat. This tour also includes a guided tour by the boatman and boat songs
Sennindo (Tokawa Shrine) is said to have been founded by Hitachibo Kaison, a vassal of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and is also known as shrines of love and romance
There are also plans available that allow you to taste soba and taro stew, including the " Mogami River Boat Gourmet PackSoba Restaurant Lunch Course which you can enjoy at Sennindo .
Mogami River Boat Ride and the Romantic Yoshitsune Tour <Information>
Name: Mogami River Boat Ride Yoshitsune Romantic Tour
Operation period: All year round
Boarding (disembarkation) location: Furukuchi, Tozawa Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture (boarding reception is at JR Takaya Station)
Contact: Mogami River Boat Ride Yoshitsune Romantic Tour
The fillet cutlet burger served at the parlor of Shiraito Falls Drive-In located on the opposite bank of Shiraito Falls, rice daughter pigs " raised on rice and whey in Kanayama Town, Yamagata Prefecture, sandwiched between buns.
"Kome no Musume Buta" is a delicious, tender cutlet with a light, sweet fat. You can enjoy a fillet cutlet burger, which is a sandwich of this fillet cutlet, cabbage, cucumber, and plenty of tomato, at your leisure in the parlor while taking in the view of the Mogami River and Shiraito Falls
An overwhelming presence! "Waterfall Burger" and "Five-Storied Pagoda Burger"
The parlor's popular menu items are tower-like burgers made up of pork fillet cutlet burgers stacked one on top of the other, with the " Waterfall Burger " having three burgers and the " Five-Storied Pagoda Burger " having five burgers stacked high, making for a very striking visual impact.
What's more, the menu also includes a 1-liter melon soda, which is simply amazing
Gassan Hanagasa Line (Nishikawa Town to Tsuruoka City: National Route 112)
Autumn leaves on Mt. Gassan Hanagasa Line Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
The 30.9km National Route 112 Bypass between Nishikawa Town and Tsuruoka City is also known as Gassan Road and is a famous spot for autumn foliage drives that has been selected as 100 Best Roads in Japan
The autumn leaves along the road begin to change color in mid-October and can be enjoyed until early November
Lake Gassan with autumn leaves Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono descend to the foot of the mountain, the road takes on a colorful appearance, creating a tunnel of autumn leaves and creating a beautiful scenery reflected on the blue surface of Lake Gassan, making this a beautiful driving course.
Large fountain at Lake Gassan
Sagae Dam and the fountain at Lake Gassan Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
Lake Gassan is a dam lake created by the Sagae Dam, which was built on the Sagae River, a tributary of the Mogami River, and is the largest lake in Yamagata Prefecture.
This lake is home to a large fountain, the largest in Japan and the fourth largest in the world in terms of spray capacity, which changes shape depending on the season and is called Spring Dance ," " Summer Dance ," or " Autumn Dance
The fountain gushes water every hour from 10am to 5pm every day from April to November, and in the dark hours it is lit up, creating a fantastic sight across the lake surface
Roadside Station Nishikawa "Gassan Meisuikan"
Nishikawa Roadside Station Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
At the foot of Mt. Gassan, in Nishikawa Town a roadside station called Nishikawa Gassan Meisuikan, which houses the Gassan Beer factory and a day spa.
Malt and hops from Germany and the Czech Republic are brewed with spring water from Mt. Gassan to produce two types of beer: a refreshing Pilsner and a fragrant Münchner
You can stay the night in your car at roadside stations, so after enjoying a soak in the hot springs, why not soothe your tired body from the drive by sipping some local beer at a restaurant overlooking the brewery?
Nishikawa Roadside Station <Information>
Facility name: Roadside Station Nishikawa Gassan Meisuikan
Gassan Beer's "Beef stewed in local beer" and "Local beer soft serve ice cream"
Beef stewed in local beer is the recommended menu item at the restaurant at Roadside Station Nishikawa
Among the soft serve ice creams sold in this snack corner, there is a rare one that contains beer malt extract and has a barley aroma.It is non-alcoholic, so drivers can also enjoy it
Mt. Chokai Blue Line (Yuza Town to Kisakata Town, Akita Prefecture: Yamagata Prefectural Route 210, Akita Prefectural Route 131)
Autumn leaves on Mt. Chokai Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
This mountain tourist road starts near Fukiura on National Route 345 along the Sea of Japan and climbs straight up to 1,100 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Chokai
From Ohira Observatory, near the highest point, you can enjoy the autumn leaves spreading from the foot of the mountain to the Shonai Plain, as well as a panoramic view of Tobishima and Sado floating in the blue Sea of Japan, and even the Oga Peninsula
Chokai Blue Line Source: Shonai Tourism and Convention Association Image provided by: Yamagata Tourism Photo Library
You can also access the area from National Route 7, and along Prefectural Route 210 (Chokai Park Fukiura Line) on the Yamagata side, there are many beech forests, so you can enjoy a drive viewing the vibrant autumn leaves
In winter, the park is closed from early November to late April due to snowfall, so please check road traffic information if you plan to visit in November
Chokai Blue Line <Information>
For inquiries, please contact: NPO Yusa Chokai Tourism Association
In Yuza Town, it has long been a soul food eaten as a rice cake dish on special occasions, when people gather together, or when entertaining guests
It is a dish similar to zoni, made by boiling pork, burdock, konjac, green onions, and fried tofu in kelp stock, seasoning it with soy sauce, mirin, and sake, and adding round rice cakes.In Yuza, it is preferred to Yamagata's specialty imoni
It is a Yuza home-cooked dish, but some restaurants in the town serve it, and the Chokai Furatto Roadside Station , packs of two round mochi (enough for two bowls) are sold as souvenirs.
It is said that the autumn leaves in Yamagata Prefecture start and end relatively early among the six Tohoku prefectures, but you can still enjoy a drive to see the autumn leaves until around mid-November
However, because it is a region with heavy snowfall, many roads in mountainous areas are closed from November onwards for the winter, so we recommend checking road information before heading out
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
