Autumn in the East Hokkaido area, which boasts magnificent nature represented by Shiretoko and Kushiro Marsh, is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery that can only be seen at this time of year! Here are 10 recommended autumn foliage viewing spots in the East Hokkaido area for a drive or a weekend excursion, plus one extra spot.

Autumn foliage viewing season in the East Hokkaido area: October 12 to late October (as of September 6)

Iwanai Senkyo Gorge offers beautiful mountain stream scenery in a magnificent natural setting. The autumn leaves are especially beautiful, and the view of the mountain stream from the suspension bridge is very impressive. Every year in mid-October, the Iwanai Senkyo Maple Festival is held. The festival features local gourmet foods and agricultural products for sale, and is a great place to fully enjoy the autumn and autumn colors of Tokachi.

Mikuni Pass is the highest pass in Hokkaido. It is a spectacular spot with mountains in the distance and a large sea of trees below. The beautiful Matsumi Ohashi Bridge, which looks as if it is floating in the sky in the midst of the great sea of trees, attracts many visitors as a spectacular spot in autumn. There is also an observation deck with an adjoining café where visitors can relax and enjoy the view.

Lake Akan is a caldera lake in Akan-Mashu National Park. The view of Mt. Ouakan rising from the eastern shore is magnificent, and the autumn leaves surrounding the lake in fall, of course, make the lake look beautiful in every season. The lake is also famous for the "Lake Akan Marimo," a rare species of marimo that grows in the lake and is a special natural treasure.

This is the headwaters of the Akan River, not far from Akan Onsen Hot Spring Resort, where abundant water from Lake Akan and Lake Taro flows as waterfalls. The bridge is named Takimi-no-Bashi because of the view of the waterfalls flowing in all their glory. The clear stream flowing through the bright red and yellow autumn leaves is as beautiful as a garden.

The Shiretoko Mountain Pass, located on the border between Rausu Town and Shari Town on the Shiretoko Transversal Highway that crosses the World Heritage Site "Shiretoko", is a mountain pass with beautiful, expansive scenery. From the winding road, you can enjoy the beautiful mountains with autumn leaves and primeval forests of Quercus crispula and Abies sachalinensis. On a clear day, you can see as far as Kunashiri Island.

Kinsenkyo Gorge is a ravine along the Naginashiname River that flows through the city. From the promenade along both banks of the river, you can see alpine plants, various trees, and wild birds throughout the four seasons: fresh greenery in spring, cool shade in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. It is also known as an ideal place for bird watching.

Lake Nukabira is a man-made dammed lake completed in 1956. Lake Nukabira is a popular outdoor spot where visitors can enjoy nature observation in each of the four seasons, cherry and rainbow trout in summer, and wakasagi fishing from the frozen lake surface in winter. The lake is also popular during the fall foliage season, when the yellowing of the trees is reflected on the lake's surface.

Oshinkoshin Falls, also known as "Soubi Falls" because the water flow splits in two in the middle, is a popular spot selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan. Stairs lead up to the middle of the waterfall, and the powerful stream can be seen splashing right in front of your eyes. In the fall, the area around the falls becomes even more beautiful as the leaves change color.

The only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park, Shikaribetsu Lake is the highest lake in Hokkaido at 810 meters above sea level. Surrounded by virgin forests of Abies sachalinensis, Ezo spruce, and downy birch, the texture changes with the seasons, enhancing the beauty of the lake. Tenmouzan (Mt. Tenmou), located to the east of the lake, is called Kuchibiru-yama (Mt. Lip) because of its shadow on the lake surface and its shape, and has become the symbol of Lake Shikaribetsu.

This garden is open to the public for a limited time only once a year, usually for about a month from mid-September to mid-October. The trees planted in the garden and the surrounding natural forest are in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful garden decorated with autumn leaves. This is a spot where visitors can look forward to seeing the different autumn foliage each year.

A popular spot in East Hokkaido during the fall foliage season. In autumn, a part of Lake Notoriko is covered with red coral grasses, which gives the lake a different atmosphere from that of the autumn leaves. A wooden boardwalk has been set up so that visitors can walk among the coral grass. A festival is held in mid-September, when the coral grass is at its most reddish.

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