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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 stretch of the middle reaches of the Mogami River, from Furuguchi in Tozawa Village to Kiyokawa in Shonai Town, is known as the "Mogami Gorge," and you can enjoy a scenic autumn drive along the Tsuruoka Highway (National Route 47) that runs along the river.
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
in Tozawa VillageFurukuchi Portnear Shiraito FallsKusanagi Port, but 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
further upstream from where Matsuo Basho boarded his boatHon-go-umi Ferry Crossing Site, and a ferry route has also been established 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(Togawa Shrine) is said to have been founded by Hitachibo Kaison, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, andshrine for matchmakingis also known as
They also offer plans where you can enjoy soba noodles and imoni (taro stew), including the "Mogami River Boat Cruise Gourmet Packwhich you can enjoy at SennindoSoba Restaurant Lunch Course.
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
located on the opposite bank of Shiraito Falls,Shiraito Falls Drive-in,The pork fillet cutlet burger served at the parlor ofKome no Musume Buta" pigs raised in Kaneyama Town, Yamagata Prefecture, on rice and whey, 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 most popular menu item is a tower-like burger made by stacking their pork cutlet burgers. The "Waterfall Burger" has three burgers, while the "Five-Storied Pagoda Burger," as the name suggests, has five burgers piled high, creating a truly 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 the Gassan Road andJapan's 100 Best Roadsis a popular spot for autumn foliage drives, having been selected as
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 andMt.Yudono descend to the foothills, the surrounding area becomes colorful, creating a beautiful driving route with tunnels of autumn leaves and stunning scenery reflected on the blue surface of Lake Gassan.
Large fountain at Lake Gassan
Sagae Dam and the fountain at Lake Gassan Source: Yamagata Prefectural Government Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
LakeGassan is a reservoir created by the Sagae Dam, 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 massive fountain, said to be the largest in Japan and the fourth largest in the world in terms of water jet capacitySpring Dance," "Summer Dance," and "Autumn Dance. The shape of the water jets changes with the seasons, and is called the
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 Mount Gassan in Nishikawa Towna roadside station calledMichi-no-Eki Nishikawa Gassan Meisuikan" which houses a Gassan Beer factory and a day-use hot spring.
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 craft beer is the signature dish at the restaurant at "-no-Eki Nishikawa" (a roadside rest area). The beef, simmered until tender in beer, has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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
While it's a home-style dish from Yuza, some restaurants in town serve it, andMichi-no-Eki Chokai Furattopacks containing two round mochi rice cakes (enough for two bowls) are sold as souvenirs at places like
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 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!
