Yoro Valley Autumn Festival 2024: Breathtaking Fall Scenery Near Tokyo

Yoro Valley: Famous Autumn Foliage Spot near Tokyo

The best time to enjoy the autumn colors near Tokyo is in November. Yoro Valley is a scenic location in Chiba that makes an excellent autumn day trip destination from Tokyo.

From Tokyo, Yoro Valley can be accessed in an hour and a half drive, or a 2-hour train ride. There is also a festival and a light-up event during the autumn foliage season.

Read on to learn the best time to visit and where to go, including the lesser-known spots.

Autumn Foliage in Yoro Valley

1. The Best Time to Visit Yoro Valley in Autumn
2. Top 5 Autumn Foliage Spots in Yoro Valley
3. Yoro Valley Autumn Foliage Festival
4. Yoro Valley Autumn Light-up

The Best Time to Visit Yoro Valley in Autumn

Photo by Pixta

The colors of the foliage in Yoro Valley reach their peak from late November to early December, which is relatively late in the Kanto Region. The area is surrounded by maple and kunugi (sawtooth oak), which color the landscape beautifully in red and yellow during the season.

The contrast between the water and the leaves is stunning, and visitors can enjoy the scenery along the trek.

Top 5 Autumn Foliage Spots in Yoro Valley

In Chiba, Yoro Valley is particularly famous for its autumn colors. The following are the five spots to visit in the area.

1. Nakase Promenade

Photo by Pixta.

Nakase Promenade is a popular spot to enjoy the colorful scenery. Its highlight is the contrast between the stream along the promenade and the foliage. The trail stretches for 1.2 kilometers, allowing visitors to enjoy a quiet walk in the forest.

The main route starts from Yoro-Keikoku Station, continues to Nakase Promenade, and leads to Kobundo Cave Site. It may be muddy in some parts, so be sure to check in advance.

Information
Location	Chiba, Isumi, Ohtaki-machi, Kuzufuji MAP
Open	24 Hours
Admission	Free
Parking	300 yen (48 parking spaces for standard-size cars)
Access	Car: 40-minute drive from Kisarazu-Higashi Interchange (Ken-oh Expressway) Public Transport: From Yoro-Keikoku Station (Kominato Railway), ride the local bus to Onsenkyo Iriguchi bus stop.

2. Kengai-kyo (Oikawa Crossroads)

Photo by Pixta

From Kengai-kyo (Oikawa Crossroads), visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley. During the season, the whole area is covered by brightly colored maples. The contrast between the leaves at the bottom of the valley and the steep cliffs looks wonderful in photographs.

There are many lodging facilities nearby, so it might be enjoyable to spend the night. Visitors taking a nighttime walk can also appreciate the illuminations.

3. Umegase Valley

Photo by Pixta

Umegase Valley offers some of the best scenery in Yoro Valley. Visitors can enjoy a different view each season, created by the combination of the clear stream and the rugged terrain. With the brightly colored leaves, autumn is the perfect time for trekking or taking photographs.

The area, with its serene atmosphere, is frequented by those who prefer to spend time outdoors. Hidaka Nobuzane was an educator from the Takanabe Domain, which was formerly located in what is now Miyazaki Prefecture. The maple carpet, created by the leaves from the tall trees at his former residence, is one of the highlights of this area.

Information
Location	Chiba, Ichihara, Ishizuka 628 MAP
Open	24 Hours
Admission	Free
Parking	From April to December: 500 yen (100 parking space for standard-size cars.) Free parking is available from January to March
Access	Car: 50-minute drive from Kisarazu-Higashi Interchange (Ken-oh Expressway)

4. Tsutsumori Maple Valley

Photo by Pixta

Tsutsumori Maple Valley is famous for its vivid colors. The name comes from the autumn scenery painted in crimson, a sight that charms visitors.

Trekkers can also enjoy the waterfalls and streams along the promenade. The quiet area is perfect for taking photos and observing the surroundings.

Information
Location	Chiba, Isumi, Ohtaki-machi, Izutsu, Kiyosumi-Yoro Line MAP
Open	24 Hours
Admission	Free
Parking	Free (20 parking spaces for standard-size cars)
Access	Car: 50-minute drive from Kisarazu-Higashi Interchange (Ken-oh Expressway). Public Transport: From Kazusa-Nakano Station (Kominato Railway), ride the local bus to Tsutsumori bus stop.

5. Awamata Falls

Photo by Pixta

Awamata Falls, 30 meters tall and 100 meters wide, is a major attraction in Yoro Valley. Visitors can enjoy the contrast between the waterfall and the surrounding leaves, along with the vibrant colors.

The sound of the falls and the stream is soothing, and there is an observatory nearby offering a grand view of the area. Please note that some parts of the promenade may be closed at times, so be sure to check in advance.

Information
Location	Chiba, Isumi, Ohtaki-machi, Awamata MAP
Open	24 Hours
Admission	Free
Parking	Standard-/Small-size Car: 500 yen Minibus: 1,000 yen Medium-size Bus: 1,500 yen Large Bus: 2,000 yen (37 parking spaces for standard-size cars, 3 spaces for large cars)
Access	Car: 50-minute drive from Kisarazu-Higashi Interchange (Ken-oh Expressway). Public Transport: From Yoro-Keikoku Station (Kominato Railway), ride the local bus to Awamata no Taki bus stop.

Yoro Valley Autumn Foliage Festival

Photo by Pixta

Yoro Valley Maple Festival, a popular event to enjoy the autumn foliage, is held on a national holiday in late November every year. From Yoro Keikoku Station (Kominato Railway), it is a 15-minute bus ride to Yoro Keikoku Yamabiko Center, the main venue.

While there are several parking lots in the area, traffic will be heavy on the day of the event, so it is advisable to use public transport. The festival is also famous for the stalls selling local products and food.

Vegetables produced by local farmers, along with ton-jiru (miso pork soup), will be on sale. Visitors can also try their hand at making mochi (rice cake) or soba noodles. Tasting the local food while viewing the illuminated leaves should be an exciting experience.

Yoro Valley Maple Festival
Venue	Yoro Keikoku Yamabiko Center (main venue), et al. For details, please check the Yoro Keikoku Sightseeing Association Website.
Event Period	On a national holiday in late November. The date for the 2024 event is TBA.

Yoro Valley Autumn Light-up

Photo by Pixta

This event is held from late November to early December every year. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic scenery from 17:00 to 21:00.

The venues will be limited to certain spots that are popular with tourists. The illuminated foliage looks quite different from how it appears during the daytime.

Yoro Valley Illumination
Venue	Awamata Falls, Oikawa Crossroads, Nakase Promenade, et al.
Event Period	From 17:00 to 21:00. The date for the 2024 event is TBA.

Enjoy the Autumn Colors at Yoro Valley

There are many attractive spots in Yoro Valley to enjoy the autumn foliage. The area is covered with vividly colored maple trees.

Kengai-kyo and Umegase Valley, both offering great views, also provide an opportunity to relax in a tranquil atmosphere. Each spot has its own unique appeal, which visitors can appreciate through trekking or a casual stroll.

If you have the chance to visit the area, be sure to check out the Maple Festival or the illumination event.