Local Guide
[2024 Edition] 8 Must-See Spots for Fall Foliage in the Aso Area

The Aso area boasts one of the world's largest calderas, centered around the five peaks of Mount Aso, including their craters, and the somma surrounding them. In autumn, this region of magnificent nature is covered in silver grass, and a variety of autumn foliage scenery unfolds, including valleys, waterfalls, historical sites, and giant trees. Please enjoy the spectacular views that can only be seen at this time of year.

 

A variety of spectacular autumn foliage views, including mountain streams and panoramas

The view from Lovers' Hill Hiranodai Highland Observatory, located in the forest of Seiryu. The grassland stained yellow with Japanese silver grass and the panoramic view of autumn leaves are a spectacular sight ©️Minamioguni Town
The view from Lovers' Hill Hiranodai Highland Observatory, located in the forest of Seiryu. The grassland stained yellow with Japanese silver grass and the panoramic view of autumn leaves are a spectacular sight ©️Minamioguni Town

This natural park spreads across a hill at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 meters on the way from Kurokawa hot spring to Senomoto Highlands. The approximately 80-hectare site is divided into eight areas, including a mountain stream, the cold spring area "Suzume Jigoku," evergreen broad-leaved trees, and grasslands. There are walking trails, and you can enjoy the scenery of each season, making it a popular spot for walks and forest bathing.

In autumn, the "Autumn Leaves Forest" area turns bright red, creating a beautiful contrast with the mountain stream. From the observation deck at the top of the hill, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the crimson leaves and the Aso and Kuju mountain ranges.

[Autumn foliage season] Mid-October to late November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November
[Type of trees] Maple, oak, etc.

Comments Local Guide
There is Parking at the entrance to the trail, so it is convenient to Direction by car. The trail has some rough spots, so it is best to wear comfortable clothing. The Suzume Jigoku area is recommended as it is densely packed with strangely shaped rocks and offers a mysterious view.
©️Minamioguni Town
©️Minamioguni Town
Clear Stream Forest
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/12577
  • 住所Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso District, Minamioguni Town, Oaza Manganji, Hiyakirinchi MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 60 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • バスアクセスTake the Sanko Bus bound for "Tsutate" from Aso Station, get off in front of Minamioguni Town Hall, then take the Oguni-go Gurutto Bus from Minamioguni Agricultural Cooperative, which is a 1-minute walk away, get off at Shirakawa Iriguchi, and walk for about 30 minutes.
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0967-42-1444（南小国町観光協会）
  • 駐車場free

The "Secret Valley" is only open for a limited time in autumn and spring

There is a walking trail up to the falls, but the valley remains almost untouched.
There is a walking trail up to the falls, but the valley remains almost untouched.

Located along the Mazeno Mystery Road, this valley is where the source of the Chikugo River flows. It is known as the "secret valley" that is only open to the public during the seasons of fresh greenery in spring and autumn leaves in autumn, and is usually open to the public from late October to early November.

Entering the promenade from Parking, you will be greeted by an untouched view of clear streams flowing over large rock faces and lush broadleaf trees. The view of the valley, with the trees and rock faces covered in autumn leaves, is overwhelming. The end point is Mazeno Falls, which is about a 500m walk away. Amid the autumn leaves, a small waterfall with a drop of about 6m flows down the rocks, creating a photo spot with a hidden atmosphere.

[Autumn foliage season] Late October to mid-November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November
[Types of trees] Maple, oak, hazel, etc.

Comments Local Guide
It's about a 5-minute walk from Parking to Mazeno Falls. There is a risk of slipping on wet rocks near the falls, so we recommend wearing comfortable, non-slip shoes and clothes that you can wear even if your feet get wet.
Mazeno Valley
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/11917
  • 住所Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso District, Minamioguni Town, Nakahara Area MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 40 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • 入場料Environmental conservation fee of 200 yen per person
  • TEL0967-42-1444 （南小国町観光協会）
  • 駐車場free
  • メモIn autumn, it is open from late October to early November, and in spring, it is open around Golden Week (please check for detailed periods).

A giant golden ginkgo tree said to be over 1,000 years old

The largest ginkgo tree in Kumamoto Prefecture. A yellow carpet spreads across the ground.
The largest ginkgo tree in Kumamoto Prefecture. A yellow carpet spreads across the ground.

A giant ginkgo tree with a trunk circumference of about 12m and a height of about 25m stands along National Route 212 in Oguni-machi, a town of hot hot spring and cedars. It is said to be over 1,000 years old and is designated as a national natural monument.

During the autumn foliage season, the leaves change color all at once, creating a spectacular sight of shining gold. The tree is lit up at night from mid-October to early November, creating an even more fantastical sight. This large ginkgo tree is also known as a power spot, affectionately known as "Chichikobu-san," as there is a legend that women with low breastfeeding rates can increase their milk supply by making a decoction from the bark and drinking it.

[Autumn foliage season] Mid-October to mid-November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Late October to early November
[Type of tree] Ginkgo

Comments Local Guide
The illumination times are scheduled to be from 18:00 to 22:00. Please check the Oguni Town Hall website for details on the illumination times before heading out.
The large ginkgo tree of Shimojo
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/11857
  • 住所Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso District, Oguni Town, Shimoshiro Sakashita Area MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 40 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • バスアクセスTake the Sanko Bus bound for Tsuetate from Aso Station, get off at Shimoshiro (Aso), then walk for about 1 minute
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0967-46-2113（小国町情報課）
  • 駐車場free

Beautiful autumn foliage in a garden that was also enjoyed by feudal lords in the Edo period

The pond and garden can be seen from the approach to Junyo Tenmangu Shrine. The trees are beautifully reflected in the clear spring water of the pond. A garden with beauty in every season.
The pond and garden can be seen from the approach to Junyo Tenmangu Shrine. The trees are beautifully reflected in the clear spring water of the pond. A garden with beauty in every season.

A historic site along the Bungo Kaido road that connects Higo (Kumamoto) and Bungo (Oita). During the Edo period, the Hosokawa clan gave this place their seal of approval as a rest stop (tea house) for daimyo on their alternate attendance journeys. The beautiful garden, which Katsu Kaishu wrote "flows all over the mountain spring at the bottom," still remains to this day.

The garden has a pond that draws water from the springs of the northern outer rim of the volcano, and in the autumn foliage season, the autumn leaves are reflected on the water's surface, creating a picturesque beauty. The pond and garden can be viewed from the approach to the neighboring Hayataka Tenmangu Shrine (entry into the garden grounds is prohibited).

[Autumn foliage season] Early to late October
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November
[Type of tree] Maple, etc.

Comments Local Guide
About a five-minute drive away is the "Stone Pavement of Sankin-Koto," a stone pavement that remains from the time of the Edo shogunate's alternate attendance system, and about ten minutes away is the "Stone Pavement of Futatsutoge," a road built by Kato Kiyomasa. We recommend taking a stroll around the area to experience the historical atmosphere.
Matoisiochaya ruins

Mysterious autumn foliage at a water source surrounded by virgin forest

The autumn leaves are projected onto the water, creating a mystical landscape.
The autumn leaves are projected onto the water, creating a mystical landscape.

Located in Ubuyama Village, at an altitude of about 1,000m on the outer rim of Mount Aso, this water source is a popular hidden spot for viewing autumn leaves. The tranquil scenery of the pond, which sits silently in the middle of an untouched primeval forest at a constant temperature of 13.5 degrees and gushes out 30 tons of water per minute, is what makes it so appealing.

During the autumn foliage season, the red and yellow trees are reflected in the spring-fed pond, creating a mysterious, upside-down autumn foliage scene that is very photogenic. Along the promenade leading to the pond, a spring-fed stream flows through the virgin forest, allowing you to feel the power of nature. Why not try refreshing yourself with a forest bathing experience?

[Autumn foliage season] Late October to early November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November
[Types of trees] Maple, oak, sawtooth oak, etc.

Comments Local Guide
There is a water pump next to Parking, so please try the soft, smooth underground water. From Parking to the pond, you walk about 560m along the footpath. There are some areas around the pond where the footing is rough, so it is best to wear comfortable shoes.
Yamabuki Spring

A fantastic contrast between the waterfall and autumn leaves deep inside the village

A beautiful waterfall appears in a quiet, moss-covered forest.
A beautiful waterfall appears in a quiet, moss-covered forest.

This waterfall is located in the mountains of Nishihara Village, at the western foot of the southern outer rim of Mt. Aso. It falls 20m from the rock face, and the pure, beautiful waterfall that falls like a single white thread has been selected as one of the 100 best waters of Kumamoto Prefecture in the Heisei era.

In autumn, the waterfall is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves, with its red and yellow leaves, white waterfall, and moss-covered rocks creating a beautiful landscape. It is also known as "Yorihime Falls" and is known as a power spot where a legend of tragic love remains.

[Autumn foliage season] Mid-November to late November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Mid-November
[Type of tree] Maple, etc.

Comments Local Guide
It takes about 7 to 8 minutes to walk from Parking along the promenade to reach the falls. Shiraito no Iwa, located in front of the falls, is also a power spot where it is said that you can absorb the power of the falls into your entire body.
Shiraito Falls
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/12207
  • 住所3460 Kawahara, Nishihara Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 15 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport
  • 入場料Cleaning contribution: 200 yen
  • TEL096-279-1136（西原村観光協会）
  • 駐車場free

Enjoy the autumn leaves while taking an aerial stroll from Japan's tallest suspension bridge

If you climb up to the observation deck from the northern area, you can see the entire bridge, the autumn leaves, and the Kuju mountain range all at once ©️Kokonoe "Yume" Suspension Bridge Management Center
If you climb up to the observation deck from the northern area, you can see the entire bridge, the autumn leaves, and the Kuju mountain range all at once ©️Kokonoe "Yume" Suspension Bridge Management Center

This suspension bridge is located at an altitude of 777m in Kokonoe Town, Oita Prefecture, northwest of the Aso area. At 173m high and 390m long, it is the tallest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan.

During the autumn foliage season, the surrounding Naruko River Valley and Kyusui Valley are covered in autumn leaves, allowing you to enjoy the sensation of walking in the air above them. The view of the 83m Shindo Falls from the suspension bridge, the Naruko River flowing directly below, and the Kuju Mountain Range in the distance are also spectacular. Near the center, there is a point where you can see through the water, which is a thrill (for a limited time).

[Autumn foliage season] Late October to mid-November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November
[Types of trees] Japanese maple, silver maple, horse chestnut, zelkova, etc.

Comments Local Guide
There are two entrances to the bridge, one at the Nakamura Area on the west side and one at the Kitakata Area on the east side. There are shops and Dining Area at each area, so you can enjoy them along with the spectacular views.
Kokonoe "Dream" Suspension Bridge
  • URLhttps://www.yumeooturihashi.com/
  • 住所1208 Tano, Kokonoe-machi, Kuju-gun, Oita Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 25 minutes by car from the Kokonoe IC on the Oita Expressway
  • 営業時間January to June, November to December 8:30 to 17:00
    July to October 8:30 to 18:00
    *Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.
  • 定休日None (Entry may be restricted due to bad weather, etc.)
  • 入場料Adults (junior high school students and above) 500 yen, elementary school students 200 yen, children under elementary school age free
  • TEL0973-73-3800（九重“夢”大吊橋管理センター）
  • 駐車場free

A spectacular view known as the "Grand Canyon of Kyushu"

A rare U-shaped valley in Japan
A rare U-shaped valley in Japan

Located in Yamato Town on the southern side of the Aso outer rim, this is one of Kumamoto's most famous autumn foliage spots. It is said to have been created by a major eruption of Mt. Aso, and features a valley with sheer cliffs that rise to a height of about 200m and stretch for about 10km, creating a magnificent view that has been dubbed the "Grand Canyon of Kyushu."

From the Nagasakibana Observatory, which offers a panoramic view of the valley, you can enjoy the contrast between the valley filled with autumn leaves, the beautiful Gokase River, and the Kuwanouchi Dam. In addition, Funanokuchi Suigen, located down the promenade from the observation point, is another secret spot for viewing autumn leaves.

[Autumn foliage season] Early to late November
[Best time to see autumn leaves] Mid-November
[Types of trees] Maple, Zelkova, etc.

Comments Local Guide
It's only a short walk from Parking to the observation deck, so it's a recommended spot for casually enjoying the autumn leaves.
Soyo Gorge
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/11808
  • 住所Nagasaki, Yamato Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 60 minutes by car from the Yamato Nakajima Nishi IC on the Kyushu Chuo Expressway
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0967-83-1111（山都町役場 蘇陽支所）
  • 駐車場free
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