1. Autumn foliage in Noboribetsu and a small demon statue (Jigokudani and the hot spring town)

Photo: Noboribetsu Tourism Association

As autumn arrives and the weather turns a little chilly, the changing leaves become a point of interest.

When the vibrant green leaves of summer gradually change color, turning red and yellow, you really feel like the seasons have changed, don't you?

The autumn foliage in Jigokudani (Hell Valley) creates a unique landscape that can only be seen here, combining the powerful energy of the earth where hot springs gush forth with the vibrant colors of the trees' leaves.

Photo: Noboribetsu Tourism Association

Noboribetsu Onsen consistently ranks high in the "Top 100 Hot Springs in Japan - Overall Ranking".
Nine different types of hot springs gush forth here, and they are expected to have skin-whitening and fatigue-relieving effects.

How about spending some luxurious time soaking in a hot spring that leaves your skin smooth and beautiful while enjoying the autumn foliage?

Photo: Noboribetsu Tourism Association

As you stroll through the hot spring town, you'll come across stone statues here and there.

This is a "hot water pouring demon statue," a demon statue created in 8 with the wish for good health and recovery from illness. Its plump appearance gives it a friendly feel.

These adorable and slightly spooky demon statues are placed in several locations. Be sure to look for them as you take a walk.

2. Autumn foliage at Lake Toya

Photo: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

The best time to see the autumn foliage in the Lake Toya area is from early October to early November.

The island floating in the calm lake looks beautifully decorated with autumn leaves. This scenery, which can only be seen at this time of year, is popular with tourists.

3. Relax your tired feet at Doryu no Yu hot spring.

Photo: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

After enjoying a stroll amidst the autumn foliage and feeling a little tired, why not warm up in a footbath?

As you walk along the lakeside promenade in front of the Toya Kanko Hotel, you'll come across Doryu no Yu. It's the largest of the footbaths around Lake Toya, so you can soak your feet for a long time.

The water is lukewarm, so you can relax and enjoy the view of the lake.

4. Touya Water Station

Photo: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

"Toya Water Station" is located a little distance from the Toyako Onsen hot spring resort area.

In autumn, the shelves are filled with fresh vegetables and beans. You can also get local tourist information here, making it a place worth stopping by during a drive.

The lake is right behind the building, so after you finish shopping, you can take a stroll outside and relax.

5. Night view of the Hakucho Bridge in Muroran

Photo: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

This Muroran tourist spot is rumored to bring happiness to couples who cross the Shiratori Bridge. It's the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan, with a total length of a whopping 1,380 meters.

It seems to captivate photography enthusiasts by dramatically changing its appearance during the day and romantically at night.

6. Precious autumn scenery of Muroran: fishing lights

Photo: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

The sight of fishing lights in Muroran is a quintessential autumn scene.

In this season when it gets dark by around 6 pm, if you look out at the sea from evening to early morning, you can see fishing lights twinkling on the horizon. Their brightness, different from that of a starry sky, illuminates the dark landscape, creating a magical scene.

7. Lake Toya/Tsukiura Wine & Gourmet Festival

Photo: Toyako Town

The "Toyako-Tsukiura Wine & Gourmet Festival" is an event where you can enjoy the autumn harvest of Toyako Town.

The "Tsukiura Wine Festival" and the "Autumn Harvest Festival" were combined to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Toyako Onsen, becoming a major autumn event.

There's a free barbecue area at the venue, so you can grill the ingredients you've bought over charcoal.

Photo: Toyako Town

At this festival, you can enjoy local specialties such as Tsukiura wine, the rare Touya Lake Black Wagyu beef (only 180 heads are shipped annually), Toyoura pork, and fresh vegetables while having a barbecue.
You can enjoy the refreshing autumn weather while gazing at Lake Toya.

Furthermore, there will be events such as all-you-can-stuff-in-a-bag-with-potatoes and carrots, and a raffle, so if you're lucky, you might win a voucher for a stay at Toyako Onsen.
This magnificent autumn harvest festival is definitely something you'll want to check out.

8. Swan Festival

The Muroran Swan Festival, held every year on the first weekend of September, is an event that began to commemorate the opening of the Hakucho Bridge, which I mentioned earlier as one of my recommended spots.

For these two days, there will be plenty of family-friendly events around Muroran Central Wharf, the venue for the festival, including fireworks displays and superhero shows.

There were also many stalls offering local specialties such as Muroran-style yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

This event is perfect for sampling a little bit of Muroran's local cuisine, so please enjoy the delicious flavors of Muroran!

9. What are the typical autumn temperatures and what kind of clothing should I wear?

Summer in Hokkaido ends very quickly, and temperatures drop rapidly as we head towards winter.

The average temperature in September is below 20 degrees Celsius, so you can get by with a light long-sleeved shirt during the day, but it drops to single digits at night, so you'll need a jacket.

By November, temperatures drop to the point where you'll feel cold without heating. Don't forget your jacket and warm clothing for your autumn leisure activities!

Final thoughts

How was it?
Autumn in Hokkaido ends very quickly. Because of the temperature fluctuations, the autumn foliage looks especially beautiful.

Enjoy a fulfilling drive by admiring the autumn foliage, relaxing in hot springs, and savoring delicious food!

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