The Dohoku (Northern Hokkaido) area, dotted with high mountains, is the first place in Hokkaido to welcome the autumn foliage season! Here are 10 recommended spots in the Dohoku area, perfect for a drive or a weekend getaway to enjoy autumn ahead of the rest.

Peak Viewing Time in Northern Hokkaido: Around September 13 to mid-October (as of September 5)

At 2,291 meters, Mt. Asahidake is the highest mountain in Hokkaido and is listed as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. It is known as the first place in Japan to see autumn colors. The peak viewing season starts in the Sugatami area from mid to late September, gradually moving down to Asahidake Onsen. Many tourists from all over come to see the magnificent colors spreading across Daisetsuzan National Park.

Ginsendai on Mt. Akadake, one of the famous autumn foliage spots in the Daisetsuzan mountains, is popular as the place to see the earliest autumn colors in Japan. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape where the green of coniferous trees and the red and yellow of broad-leaved trees overlap in countless layers. It is also a trailhead for climbing Mt. Akadake, attracting many hikers. The Sounkyo Onsen at the foot of the mountain is perfect for sightseeing and relaxing after viewing the autumn leaves.

Sounkyo Gorge, a popular autumn spot in Hokkaido, is known as the place to see stunning autumn foliage earliest in Japan. The mountains, dyed in red and yellow, are like a scene from a painting. The dynamic landscape and autumn colors viewed from the swaying ropeway gondola are also captivating.

This is one of Biei's most famous tourist spots, a mysterious pond whose water appears blue. The pond's surface, which changes to various shades of blue depending on the season and weather, combined with the withered larch trees, creates a fantastical landscape. A world away from the beautiful contrast of fresh green and blue in summer, the water's surface adorned with golden autumn colors is also a magnificent sight.

Located within a village-run natural park, 'Sekigan Seigan Kyo Gorge' is a famous autumn foliage spot with a unique landscape of red and blue giant rocks. During the autumn foliage season from late September to early October, the maple trees turn red and yellow, further enhancing its beauty. It is also a popular spot for rafting and a mecca for rock climbing, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery while experiencing nature firsthand.

This is Japan's largest man-made lake, with 13 large and small islands floating on its surface. It is also known for being inhabited by the 'Sakhalin taimen' (Ito), Japan's largest freshwater fish, known as a phantom fish, attracting many visitors during the season. While it bustles with camping in summer and ice fishing for smelt in winter, autumn offers a beautiful view of the surrounding trees turning yellow and reflecting on the lake's surface.

Meaning 'Village of the Gods' in the Ainu language, this is a scenic spot where strangely shaped rocks and stones line the rapids of the Ishikari River for about 10 km. You can enjoy the changing scenery with cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn colors in fall, and snow in winter. The dark green and black rocks of the valley are called Kamui Kotan stones, and near the suspension bridge, you can find the 'Kamui Kotan Potholes,' formed by the river's flow over many years.

Located directly below the main peak of Mt. Tokachidake in Daisetsuzan National Park, this is a wonderful autumn foliage spot with a panoramic view spreading across the vast foothills. You can enjoy a variety of colors, mainly from dwarf pines and white birches. The colorful combination of autumn leaves and snowfields right after the first snowfall (hatsuyuki), which occurs only a few days a year, is a precious and spectacular sight that you can only see if you time it right.

This is the perfect spot to fully enjoy the rich nature of Yubari. The valley, formed by the erosion of the Yubari River, consists of unique rock formations and countless waterfalls of all sizes, offering a powerful and spectacular natural landscape. It shows different faces with each season, and the autumn foliage, especially when enjoyed with Ryusenkyo Gorge and Chidorigataki Falls, is known as one of the most famous spots in Hokkaido.

This observatory is located near the 5th station of Nissho Pass. In autumn, you can get a panoramic view of the magnificent Tokachi Plain and the town of Shimizu, all colored in red and yellow. In the distance, you can also see the scenery of the Daisetsuzan mountain range and the mountains of Akan. While the beauty of the autumn leaves is remarkable, the sheer scale of the nature spreading out below is truly overwhelming.

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