Naruko Gorge: Approaching Peak

Yesterday, the color of the maple leaves at Yamadera Temple were just starting to change. Today, I continued with my autumn color reporting in northeastern Japan, and went to Naruko Gorge about 90 minutes from Sendai. The gorge is a well-known destination to see autumn colors, and I found the leaves had taken on attractive hues of red, yellow and orange. While already very attractive, I expect the colors to develop more intensity over the next few days, accordingly, the peak of the season should start by the first few days of November.

Morning visitors at Narukokyo Rest House

One of the many look out points in the area

Making our way to a walking trail that leads to the bottom of the gorge

Don't panic! This is not a surprise proposal

No more trains to spot since the service has been suspended

Looking down at the bottom of the gorge where I was earlier

Naruko Gorge is best accessed by bus or on foot (about an hour) from Naruko Onsen Station on the JR Rikuu East Line. Until November 9, 2025, an autumn leaf bus service connects Naruko Onsen Station and the gorge. Take the bus from Naruko Onsen Station and get off at Narukokyo Nakayamadaira-guchi �q��R�� bus stop (15 minutes, 400 yen one way, one bus every 1-2 hours). The main sites to see autumn colors at Naruko Gorge are a short walking distance from that bus stop.

There used to be trains going to Nakayamadaira Onsen Station, the closest train station to the gorge. However, train service beyond Naruko Onsen Station to Shinjo Station in Yamagata Prefecture has been temporarily suspended due to damages from heavy rains last year. Buses provide access between Naruko Onsen and Shinjo instead, but departures are infrequent.