Mount Daisetsu is the first place in Japan where autumn arrives.
Sounkyo is a gorge located within Daisetsuzan National Park.

The undulating terrain is home to numerous trees, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful autumn foliage earlier than in other regions.

Furthermore, it's a hot spring resort that attracts many tourists not only from within Japan but also from overseas.

This time, we'll introduce all the features and attractions of Sounkyo Gorge, including its famous autumn foliage spots!

<Table of Contents>
1. Highlights of the autumn foliage in Sounkyo Gorge
2. Characteristics of Sounkyo Onsen
3. Enjoy the flavors of autumn in Sounkyo
4. Activities to fully enjoy autumn in Sounkyo
Final thoughts

First, I'd like to introduce three spots in Sounkyo for viewing autumn foliage. The first is the walking trail in Momijidani (Maple Valley).

This spot has many maple trees, and when they are in full bloom, you can enjoy the vibrant red autumn foliage.

Apparently, some areas that were once popular tourist spots in Sounkyo have been closed off due to the risk of falling rocks.

Apparently, you can see both waterfalls and columnar jointing there, so be sure to look for them!

Akadake Ginsen

Next, we'd like to introduce Akadake Ginsendai.
You can enjoy a panoramic view of colorful autumn leaves all at once.

The best time to see the autumn leaves here is surprisingly mid-September!
This scene can be seen in other parts of Japan when it's still the season of lingering summer heat.

Besides the maple trees that turn red, there are also yellow broad-leaved trees and coniferous trees that keep their leaves green all year round.
That's why it becomes a scene like a painting.

Milky Way Meteor Waterfall

The final stop is the Galaxy and Meteor Falls, known for offering a view of two waterfalls simultaneously.

The two waterfalls cascading down the cliff face are the delicate Galaxy Waterfall and the powerful Meteor Waterfall.

In between them lies a sheer cliff known as Fudo-iwa (Fudo Rock).
This spot offers beautiful scenery all year round, but it's especially stunning during the autumn foliage season when the surrounding trees change color!

Sounkyo is not only known for its beautiful autumn foliage, but also for its hot springs that warm you to the core.

Nestled amidst magnificent natural scenery, there are various accommodations of all sizes, making it one of the leading hot spring resort towns in Hokkaido.

The spring water is a simple sulfur spring and is said to be effective for joint pain, chronic skin diseases, cuts, and diabetes.

In the Sounkyo Onsen hot spring resort area, even convenience stores are designed with a uniform brown exterior, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the landscape.

Therefore, at accommodations with open-air baths, you can enjoy the hot springs without being obstructed by the autumn foliage.

The accommodations and restaurants in Sounkyo Onsen offer delicious meals using seasonal ingredients.

Among the meats, Daisetsu Kogen beef is particularly popular.
There are plenty of dishes featuring rainbow trout caught nearby and wild mountain vegetables.

And when you think of Sounkyo in autumn, you absolutely can't forget about mushrooms!
Try our mushroom hot pot, where you can enjoy a variety of mushrooms all at once!

Highland hot spring marshland tour

Finally, I'd like to introduce two activities that will allow you to fully enjoy Sounkyo Gorge in autumn.

The first option is a highland hot spring marsh tour, where you explore the great outdoors on foot.

This course takes about four hours to complete, walking through an area with many swamps. The start and finish points are at the brown bear information center shown in the image.

As the name of the information center suggests, there are many brown bears living in this area, so be sure to check the sighting status before you leave!

This is Lake Daisetsu, which was created during the construction of the Daisetsu Dam.

Looking out over the lake from the top of the dam, you can see both the colorful trees and their reflections in the lake.

On sunny days, the lake's surface, reflecting the blue sky and autumn leaves, is said to be incredibly beautiful.

Fortunately, there is a hot spring facility near the brown bear information center.

This is a rare find in Hokkaido: a free-flowing, milky-white hot spring bath. It's perfect for resting tired feet after exploring the marshes.

Please be aware that there are restrictions on private cars during the autumn foliage season.

Also, depending on the brown bear sightings, the course may have to be turned back midway, so it's a good idea to check the situation beforehand.

大雪山層雲峡・黒岳ロープウェイ

For those who want to enjoy the autumn foliage but aren't confident about walking on their own, we recommend taking a stroll by ropeway.

As you can see in the image, the autumn foliage along the route of the Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway is breathtaking.

The gondola has large windows, offering great views of the scenery.

We arrived at the 5th station of Mt. Kurodake in about 7 minutes.
The view from here is also very beautiful, but you can take the chairlift up to the 7th station, which is even higher.

It's great that you can reach the high altitude of Mount Kurodake without having to walk!
This is the pair lift that connects the 5th station to the 7th station.
Unlike a gondola, there is no enclosure, so you can feel the cold wind that colors the Daisetsuzan Mountains with autumn leaves.

Walking through the beautiful trees that seem within reach is an experience unlike any other.

Also, even though it's September, the temperature on Mt. Kurodake is very low, so make sure you're well-prepared with warm clothing before you go.

Sounkyo offers not only the beauty of autumn foliage, but also relaxing hot springs and delicious local cuisine.

Besides the places we've introduced here, there are many other fascinating spots to discover.

Be sure to enjoy the arrival of autumn earlier than anywhere else in Sounkyo!

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