Autumn Colors on Nikko's Irohazaka: Best Time to View and Highlights

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The road known as Irohazaka is one of the best places to enjoy the autumn foliage in Nikko. Read on to learn when is the best time to visit, the best viewing locations, and tips on how to avoid traffic congestion.

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かとうまこ

After graduating from high school, I enrolled in a scriptwriting course for three and a half years with the aim of becoming a screenwriter. After that, I started working as a writer to utilize my writing skills. At MATCHA, I mainly write articles introducing places to go out, but so far I have been involved in creating articles related to beauty, rental cars, and MVNO.

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Irohazaka is a road that connects the Umagaeshi area in Nikko to the shores of Lake Chuzenji, and it is a popular autumn foliage spot that attracts many visitors each year.

In autumn, maples, Japanese maples, and oak trees display vibrant colors, allowing you to enjoy beautiful autumn scenery while driving. Additionally, due to the elevation difference of 440 meters, you can also appreciate the stunning gradient of the foliage.

In this article, we will explain the best time to view the autumn foliage on Nikko's Irohazaka, highlights, access methods, and ways to avoid traffic congestion.

Nikko's Irohazaka: Autumn Foliage Viewing Tips

1. The Best Time to See the Autumn Foliage on Irohazaka
2. Highlights of the Autumn Foliage on Irohazaka
3. Irohazaka Access and Traffic Information
4. How to Avoid Traffic Congestion and Other Tips

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The Best Time to See the Autumn Foliage on Irohazaka

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The best time to see the autumn foliage on Irohazaka is from mid-October to early November.

As mentioned earlier, due to the significant elevation change on Irohazaka, you can enjoy different scenic views each time you visit during the foliage season.

While you can enjoy the scenery from your car, there are also photo spots where you might need to get out of the vehicle for pictures, so it is recommended to visit in warm clothing.

Highlights of the Autumn Foliage on Irohazaka

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Below we introduce two excellent locations to enjoy the autumn scenery on Irohazaka.

1. Akechidaira Observatory

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Akechidaira Observatory is located at the endpoint of the ascent of the second Irohazaka, and it offers a spectacular view of Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and Mount Nantai.

Since it cannot be accessed from the descent of the first Irohazaka, be careful not to miss the "Ne" curve.

You can also reach Akechidaira Observatory by taking the ropeway from Akechidaira, which is a recommended option as it allows for an easy visit in a short time.

Information about the ropeway has been summarized in the table below, so please refer to it!

	Information
Operating Hours	9:00 - 16:00 (subject to seasonal changes)
Interval	Approx. every 10 minutes
Travel Time	Approximately 3 minutes
Fare	Adults: 600 yen one way (1,000 yen round trip) Children: 300 yen one way (500 yen round trip)

2. Kurokami-daira View Point

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Another recommended spot is the Kurokami-daira View Point.

Kurokami-daira is an observatory located along the ascent of the second Irohazaka, and it is a hidden gem where you can overlook the entire Irohazaka.

It has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Roads in Japan, and during the autumn foliage season, you can enjoy the vibrant colors of the mountainside.

Since Kurokami-daira is one-way, be careful not to miss it, as once you pass it, you cannot return.

Access and Traffic Information for Irohazaka

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If driving to Irohazaka from the city center, it takes about 2.5 hours.

From the Kiyotaki IC on the Nikko Utsunomiya Expressway to the entrance of Irohazaka, it is about a 15-minute drive. From there, it usually takes about 20 minutes to reach the ascent of the second Irohazaka, but during the autumn foliage season, it can take 2 to 3 hours due to traffic congestion.

As an alternative access method, you can also reach Irohazaka by bus from Nikko Station, which takes about 25 minutes.

However, this can also be delayed due to traffic, so when visiting Irohazaka, be sure to allow plenty of time for your travel plans.

How to Avoid Traffic Congestion on Irohazaka

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Since Irohazaka is a popular autumn foliage spot, it becomes particularly crowded on weekends, leading to severe traffic congestion.

If you want to avoid traffic, it is recommended to visit in the early morning when there are fewer cars. A time frame of 6:00 to 19:00 will allow for a smoother driving experience.

Additionally, when descending Irohazaka, you can avoid heavy traffic by doing so before 15:00 on weekdays and before 14:00 on weekends and holidays.

Since congestion conditions can vary, it is also important to check traffic information in advance. Aim for smooth travel and plan your visit to enjoy the autumn foliage.

Enjoy the Autumn Colors in Nikko

In this article, we introduced the best time to see the autumn foliage on Nikko's Irohazaka, highlights, access methods, and ways to avoid traffic congestion.

During the autumn foliage season on Irohazaka, you can see the beautiful gradients of the foliage and enjoy breathtaking views while driving.

However, particularly on weekends, severe traffic congestion can occur, so it is best to visit during the early morning and descend as early as possible.

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Main image by Pixta

Written by

かとうまこ

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