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Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/18 13:33
Hello!
I am currently planning the itinerary for October, and would appreciate any help/opinions please. Will the dates be feasible for Autumn Colours? I will spend the first 2 weeks in Hokkaido (Sapporo to Asahikawa to Noboribetsu to Hakodate) and then return to Honshu. I will have a JR Rail Pass.

-Oct 13 Aomori - Is this too early for colour in Hirosaki?
-Oct 14 Sukayu Onsen to visit Hakkoda-san. (What is the best way to then travel to Tazawa-ko?)
-Oct 15 Kakunodate
-Oct 16 Nyuto Onsen
-Oct 17 Yamagata
-Oct 18 Yamagata - Zao Onsen
-Oct 19 Nikko
-Oct 20 Nikko - Lake Chuzenji

Many thanks for your time!
by Gypsy13  

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 04:18
It is hard to foresee the unpredictable weather these dates, but under average conditions mid Oct is a better time for autumn foliage in Hokkaido while for Tohoku it is the latter half of Oct.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_when.html

by William5 rate this post as useful

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 08:22
Thank you William5 for your advice!

After reading the report -
Perhaps it would be better to cancel Yamagata and visit Bandai area instead?
If so, where should I base myself in that area for 2 nights Oct 17/18?... Aizu-wakamatsu?

Also, where would you advise to stay Oct 28-31 leaving from Tokyo, to experience Autumn colours?

Thank you again for helping with this itinerary!
by Gypsy13 rate this post as useful

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 10:56
Inawashiro and Kitakata are better bases for Bandai Kogen as there are direct (though infrequent) bus connections. Aizu-Wakamatsu is OK and it has more choice of accommodation but you need to travel to either Inawashiro or Kitakata for the bus to Bandai Kogen.

Consider using a rental car to get around Bandai Kogen. The following scenic route (toll road) is said to pass by beautiful autumn foliage sites if the time is right. Normally end of Oct is a good time for koyo in Bandai Kogen.
http://www.dorokosha-fukushima.or.jp/douro/lakeline/index.html

Not sure I understand your other query: "where would you advise to stay Oct 28-31 leaving from Tokyo to experience Autumn colours?" I thought you are moving north to south from Hokkaido to Tohoku and on your original post you are moving down from Aomori to Nikko. If you are in and around Tokyo Oct 28-31, what happens during the gap between Oct 20-28!?

Late Oct would be a good time for koyo in places in Tohoku such as Bandai Kogen, Yama-dera, Ginzan Onsen, Naruko Gorge, Oirase Stream and Towada-ko.
by William5 rate this post as useful

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 12:21
Thank you...again!
All of that information has been very helpful!

Unfortunately, I am committed to a week in Tokyo after I leave Nikko. I had thought of maybe doing a couple of day trips during the week I'll be in Tokyo to Karuizawa and Fuji 5 Lakes perhaps. I will still have at least a week free after Oct 28.

Of course, there is no reason for me not to return to Tohoku if you think that is advisable for Koyo. I was just trying to include some of the 'better possibilies' on my way south to Tokyo. Sadly, my itinerary at present includes a lot of time spent on trains.
by Gypsy13 rate this post as useful

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 15:13
If you don't want to backtrack to Tohoku for autumn foliage during late Oct, consider the following possibilities.

Going to the Fuji Five Lakes area during late Oct you can take in the autumn festival in Kawaguchi-ko, especially it will be beautifully illuminated after sunset. Last year it was held from Oct 27 to Nov 18. Keep monitoring the following webpage for update information for this fall.
http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/event/info.php?if_id=680&ca_id=3&page=&sum_co...

Shosenkyo Gorge is another popular koyo spot but early Nov seems to be a better time.
http://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/

Further away in the northern Japanese Alps area there is the scenic train ride to Kurobe Gorge. Late Oct to early Nov should be a good time for koyo there.
http://www.kurotetu.co.jp/en/index.html

In Mt Gozaisho due to elevation you stand a good chance of seeing some autumn colour along the ride as you take the ropeway up the mt from mid Oct to mid Nov.
http://www.gozaisho.co.jp/autumn/index.htm

Another place with possible koyo sighting during a month long duration from mid Oct to mid Nov is the ropeway up Fujimi Plateau.
http://mt-heavens.com/p/?page_id=21

by William5 rate this post as useful

Re: Autumn in Tohoku 2013/7/20 15:48
AWESOME!!

I cannot thank you enough William5 for giving me so many options and so much detail!! I feel very positive now about my Autumn trip and I can now spend time planning Stage 2... after Tokyo. I was not aware of all those places. If I have any further questions, I will certainly post again.

MANY THANKS! MUCH APPRECIATED!
by Gypsy13 rate this post as useful

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