Naruko Onsen: A stroll through the spectacular autumn foliage! 5 recommended spots and information on the best time to see them

Naruko Onsen is located in the northwestern part of Miyagi Prefecture and is known as a scenic spot where the leaves turn ablaze in autumn. The scenery created by the trees dyed in vibrant Aka and yellow is truly a special sight that can only be seen at this time of year.

In this article, we will introduce famous autumn foliage spots around Naruko Onsen. If you're thinking, "I want to enjoy a luxurious hot spring trip while also viewing the autumn leaves!", why not use this information to plan your trip?

• Table of Contents
• When is the best time to see the autumn leaves around Naruko Onsen?
• 5 Must-See Spots for Viewing Autumn Leaves Around Naruko Onsen
• If you want to enjoy the autumn leaves around Naruko Onsen, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

When is the best time to see the autumn leaves around Naruko Onsen?

The best time to see the autumn leaves around Naruko Onsen is usually from late October to early November. At this time, the mountains and valleys around Naruko Gorge and Katanuma are dyed in vibrant gradations of Aka , yellow, and orange.

The cool mornings and evenings make the autumn leaves look even more beautiful. It is said that the longer the cold weather lasts, the more vivid the colors of maple, beech, and oak trees become.

With a little thought and consideration for when you visit, you will be able to encounter some truly memorable and moving scenery.

5 Must-See Spots for Viewing Autumn Leaves Around Naruko Onsen

Here we will introduce five carefully selected spots around Naruko Onsen that are particularly recommended for viewing autumn leaves.

Naruko Gorge | A magnificent view of the grand canyon woven with autumn leaves

Naruko Gorge is a valley that represents Naruko Onsen, located in Osaki City , Miyagi Prefecture . There are several hot spring resorts in the surrounding area, including Nakayama Onsen, Naruko Onsen, and Higashi Naruko Onsen, making it a popular area where you can enjoy both autumn leaves and hot springs.

In autumn, Naruko Gorge is captivating with its spectacular scenery, as the valley is filled with fiery red leaves. The 100m-deep gorge is dyed Aka and yellow, creating a magnificent sight of sheer cliffs and streams.

From the observation deck at Naruko Gorge Rest House, you can get a panoramic view of the entire gorge, which will leave you overwhelmed with its power. In particular, the contrast between the Ofukazawa Bridge spanning the gorge and the autumn leaves captivates visitors as a landscape that symbolizes Naruko Gorge.

Address: Miyagi Prefecture, Naruko Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Naruko Onsen Station

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Ofukazawa Promenade | A hidden gem of a walking trail in a quiet valley

The Ofukazawa Promenade is a place where you can walk among the autumn leaves and enjoy the autumn nature with all your senses.

The promenade is approximately 2.2 km long and takes about 50 minutes to complete. The relatively flat path makes it easy to walk and allows you to enjoy a leisurely stroll. Listening to the murmuring of the river and admiring the beautiful colors of the beech, oak, maple and other trees up close is an exceptional experience.

Especially in the morning, when the light filters through the trees and illuminates the autumn leaves, creating a fantastical sight. Why not spend some luxurious time strolling along the Ofukazawa Promenade, taking in the crisp autumn air?

Address: Ofukazawa, Naruko Onsen , Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture Prefecture

Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Naruko Onsen Station

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Naruko Gorge Promenade | Two routes to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the mountain stream

If you want to experience the nature of Naruko Gorge up close, we recommend the Naruko Gorge Promenade. As you walk along the mountain stream, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the clear water flowing and the dynamic rock faces. One of the joys of the walk is searching for rocks with unique names such as "Saru no Tekake Rock" (Monkey's Tegake Rock) and "Byobu Rock" (Screen Screen Rock).

Currently, the Narukokyo Promenade can be walked on two routes: Nakayama and Narukoguchi. Nakayama is a winding promenade about 350m long, set on a cliff with a drop of 100m. On the other hand, Narukoguchi is a promenade about 230m long one way.

Address: Miyagi Prefecture, Naruko Onsen , Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Access: Starting point of Nakayama: Narukokyo Rest House, First Parking Lot

Starting point of Narukoguchi: Otanigawa Bridge

Business hours: 9:00-16:00 (both Nakayama and Naruko entrances)

Katanuma | A spectacular view of the sparkling emerald green lake and autumn leaves

Katanuma is a volcanic caldera lake with a mysterious emerald green water surface.

During the autumn foliage season, the vibrant colors of the trees surrounding the lake are reflected on its surface, creating a breathtaking sight. The color of the lake, which changes subtly depending on the season, weather, and time of day, also captivates visitors.

There is a promenade along the lakeside, and it takes about 30 minutes to walk around it. The well-trodden path is easy to walk on, and you can spend a relaxing time enjoying the contrast between the emerald green lake and the autumn leaves up close.

Address: Yumoto, Naruko Onsen , Osaki City , Miyagi Prefecture Prefecture

Access: Approximately 7 minutes by car from JR Naruko Onsen Station

Opening hours: Open 24 hours (closed for winter from late November to late April)

Around Naruko Dam | Enjoy the reflections of autumn leaves without the crowds

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Naruko Gorge and Katanuma and enjoy the autumn leaves in a quiet setting, we recommend Naruko Dam. The autumn leaves are reflected on the calm surface of the majestic dam lake, creating an exceptionally beautiful sight.

Naruko Dam is known as the first arch concrete dam in Japan to be built entirely by Japanese engineers. You can spend your time there however you like, such as walking along the dam's embankment or enjoying the view from the observation deck.

The artificial dam and the natural beauty of the fiery autumn leaves blend beautifully together, creating a spectacular view that will make you want to take a picture. This is the perfect hidden spot for those who want to enjoy a romantic atmosphere and take a photo that will look great on social media.

Address: Miyagi Prefecture , Osaki City Prefecture

Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Naruko Onsen Station

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (please refer to the Naruko Dam website for closing dates)

If you want to enjoy the autumn leaves around Naruko Onsen, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

In autumn, the Naruko Onsen area offers a variety of autumn foliage attractions, from the beauty of the valleys and the reflections on the lake surface to strolling along quiet promenades. The contrast between the Aka and yellow mountains and the pure water captivates visitors.

If you're planning a trip to enjoy the autumn leaves of Naruko Onsen to your heart's content, we recommend Hotel WAMARE Onikobe. Located in the Onikobe Onsen area, you can rent an entire building with a modern Japanese atmosphere and relax while savoring the afterglow of your autumn foliage viewing.

Make a reservation here

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