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Famous Locations in Southern Tohoku for autumn colors
Yama-dera – Yamagata Prefecture
| Typical viewing dates | Typically from late October to early November |
|---|---|
| Location | Oaza Yama-dera, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Visitor information | 365 days a year Visiting time: 8:00 to 17:00 Admission: 300 yen |
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Things to see
Yama-dera, known more properly as Hojusan Risshaku-ji Temple, belongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. At the front gate (Tozanguchi) rises a large building named Konpon Main Hall, which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. A wonderful place to enjoy the scenery of the passing seasons, Yama-dera provides truly breathtaking views in autumn. Nearby is Mount Omoshiro with a two-kilometer hiking trail recommended for its Momiji Stream Valley, where the babbling of the brook and autumn colors represent the pinnacle of Japan's beauty.
Use your JR EAST PASS to visit the autumn beauty of Yama-dera at great savings.
Naruko Canyon – Miyagi Prefecture
Photographs courtesy of the Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
| Typical viewing dates | Typically mid-October to early November |
|---|---|
| Location | Naruko Onsen Shitomae, Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture |
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| Things to see in the area |
Things to see
Naruko Canyon is a valley located on the Daiya Stream, a tributary of the Eiai (or Arao) River. Located here are the Naruko Hot Spring Villages, a cluster of five villages along the stream. When autumn comes, the 100-meter-tall cliffs that form a valley, over 100 meters wide, take on a color contrast among yellows, reds and greens that is a sight to see. The scenery from the Miharashidai lookout platform over the Ofukusawa-bashi Bridge and the valley it spans is one of the finest views in Narukokyo. Also, the trails along the valley are excellent for enjoying nature.
Use your JR EAST PASS to visit the autumn beauty of Naruko Canyon at great savings.
Ouchi-juku – Fukushima Prefecture
| Typical viewing dates | Typically from late October to early November |
|---|---|
| Location | Ouchi Aza Yamamoto, Shimogo-machi, Fukushima Prefecture |
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| Things to see in the area |
Things to see
Ouchi-juku flourished as a horse stop, or post town, along the Shimotsuke Kaido, a road that connected Aizuwakamatsu and Nikko Imaichi from the fifteenth century to the nineteenth century. Efforts have been made to preserve the feel of the old-style buildings with their thatched roofs, and in 1981, the town was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. In autumn, when the mountains are colored red and yellow, the atmosphere of the town makes you feel as though you've gone back in time to the Edo Period.
Use your JR EAST PASS to visit the autumn beauty of Ouchi-juku at great savings.
