Come Night Stralling in Kakunodate Now - Samurai Houses Are Illuminated for the Foliage Visitors!

The foliages are seen in Kakunodate Town now. October is when the area welcomes the largest number of visitors after the cherry blossoms week from late April to early May.

The vibrant and warm maple and ginkgo trees are so beautiful, contrasting the black walls of Samurai Houses. The Bukeyashiki-dori in Kakunodate town is a perfect place for you to enjoy walking at both day and night. The streets have been illuminated in the evenings from 16:30 to 20:00 p.m.



Foliage leaves in Kakunodate Samurai Houses are Illuminated until Nov. 20.

Foliage Illumination in Kakunodate Town

When: From 16:30 - 22:00 from Saturday, October 29th till Sunday, November 20th.

Place: Bukeyashiki (Samurai Houses) Area -  The Odano, Kawarada, and Iwahashi Residences

Autumn View of Kata Bunko, Former Elementary School Building Near Lake Tazawa

The Foliages are now at its peak at Dakigaeri Gorge and near Lake Tazawa. If you are taking a bicycle ride around Lake Tazawa, Kata Bunko is a place you must stop by - especially now that the front tree is in beautiful, bright red!

The school building is, as we have introduced before, used to serve as a branch of Obonai Elementary School. As the number of children declined and the transportation was improved decades ago, schooling here has shut down so that the pupils in the area now attends to Obonai Elementary School near JR Tazawako Station.

Anyway, the school is known as a nostalgic atmosphere where you can time-travel back to your childhood! We can't stress enough how important this place is - this building has been visited by many people and serving as a community gathering place as well!

The building stands about 10 munites away from the lake shore. The bicycle roads are available to access there, and runs through anthentic rural scenery - houses with thatched roofs, rice paddies, etc.

Once you visit there, you would understand why this place is often exemplified as a symbol of preservance of regional and cultural building.

Foliage Updates: Tamagawa, Yoroihata Dam, and Near Lake Tazawa!

Here is Tazawako foliage photos with photos taken a few hours ago!

Photo Taken on October 21, 2011.

The area around Yoroihaihata Power Plant on the way to Tamagawa Dam seems to be in the early stage of foliage. We expect another week before it starts to be covered in hues!

Tamagawa is a huge area. Some parts at high altitude are already at its peak and showing the beautiful colors! Yoroihata Power Plant is located in lower altitude, so that comes after Tamagawa.

Updates on October 21, 2011.

Chatate no Shimizu (茶立ての清水) is a place where you can bring bottles to get some “Spring Water for Tea Brewing,” which is what the name implies. Near the street sign, a beautiful maple stands. We are looking forward to seeing bright red on the tree!

Driving from Lake Tazawa down to the Station, you can see Mt. Akita Komagatake up front. There the foliage is already gone and soon will be covered in white!

The Fall Foliage Has Finally Arrived in Nyuto Hot Spring Area!

In the most recent updates on fall foliage in Tazawako Area, Nyuto Onsen Hot Spring Area is finally reported to have reached its peak!

Nyuto Area is covered with many different kinds of trees: the best known are beech trees, which shows the brightest shades of oranges in this season. The picture of the spectacular view of Kuroyu Onsen embedded in the bright orange and yellow mountains (see below) is probably one of the most published to represent Nyuto Hot Spring Area.



Kuroyu Onsen （黒湯温泉）



Here are some photos of Nyuto Area from last week when it was at the earlier stage of foliage. The foliage has gotten preceded even further by now; Now the leaves are in much more vibrant colors!

"Nyuto Onsen Map"











In the average year, the foliage is expected to arrive from October 11 and 22. The temperature is already so low today that it feels as if it would start to snow any day - not until mid-November. 

Just imagine yourself being soaked in the hot steamy hot spring bath out in the nature! That’s the experience you could have in Nyuto this week!

Beautiful Autumn Foliage Season Has Arrived in Tamagawa

Tamagawa （玉川） is an area in the northern Semboku City. It is known for the beautiful natural scenery and the unique Tamagawa Onsen. In recent years, a location filming of the award-winning Korean Drama IRIS has taken place at the nearby Tamagawa Dam, which made the place one of the visited sites for the royal fans. The beautiful area shows the most vibrant autumn colors and visited by many people around the country. Here are a few pictues taken yesterday by one of our staffs, Mr. H :D



A Beautiful Rainbow in the colorful mountain! So lucky :D



Tamagawa area is expected to be in the peak of foliage season around October 20th. You must catch a glimse of the spectacular view! Updated foliage information is here.

Tazawako Foliage Viewpoints Map

Mt. Akita Komagatake （秋田駒ケ岳） is in red and orange autumn leaves this week. The foliage front comes down to town area next few weeks.

Here is a map to show you some of the best foliage viewpoints in Tazawako Area. Below is a list of the approximate dates on which the foliages are at its peak at each points. (Numbered respectively)

Note: Because of the unusual weather this year, the foliage has been delayed about a week to 10 days, compared to the previous years. If you know the certain date to visit, we recommend you to check with Tazawako Tourist Information Center (Located inside JR Tazawako Station) or us (General Office).

Foliagae Viewpoints in Tazawako Area

 Foliage is expected to be at its peak in each area on the following time：

①　Komagatake Summit Area（秋田駒ケ岳山頂付近）: SEP.17-30th

②　Komagatake 8th Station Area （秋田駒ケ岳８合目付近）: SEP. 22nd –OCT. 10th

③　Nyuto Onsen-kyo (乳頭温泉郷) : OCT. 11-22nd

④　Tazawako Kogen (Plateau) Onsen-kyo （田沢湖高原温泉郷）: OCT.16- 24th

⑤　Tamagawa Onsen (玉川温泉): OCT. 13- OCT 22nd

⑥　Tamagawa Dam （玉川ダム）:OCT. 14th-25th

⑦　Sengan-Toge （仙岩峠）: OCT. 20th-25th

⑧　Lake Tazawa Area （田沢湖付近）: OCT.23rd-NOV. 2nd

⑨　Dakigaeri Gorge （抱返り渓谷）: OCT.23rd- 27th