Autumn Leaves in Oita

The fall season may have officially started in September, but nothing quite signifies autumn’s celebration like
watching leaves transform into their signature red and golden hues in Japan. Many of Japan’s autumn
leaves-devotees follow the peak fall leaves forecast across the nation, and Oita is no different. And with a
landscape as diverse as Oita’s— from high altitude volcanic regions of Kuju Mountain Range to the coastal
cities of Beppu and Oita — it means that the average fall color season peaks at different times, extending your
autumn viewing pleasures.

From late October to mid-November, the Kuju Mountain Range is not only one of the earlier autumn viewing
sights in Oita; it’s also an excellent chance to discover Kyushu’s volcanic terrain via trekking routes. The two
main trailheads start at Makinoto Pass and the Chojabaru Visitor Center, with various hiking trails catering to
both beginner and advanced trekkers. Whether you choose the higher elevation of Makinoto Pass or the gentle
plain of Chojabaru, both offer views of distant steam emitting from active volcanoes with breathtaking autumn
colors along the way.

If you’re looking to stumble onto some autumn viewing sights casually, a journey through the Yabakei region
may have you pulling your car over every minute just to admire the wild and planted maple and ginkgo trees
along the many roadside temples and shrines. The Yabakei gorge covers an extensive area— divided into
Hon-Yabakei, Shin-Yabakei, Ura-Yabakei, Oku-Yabakei, Shii-Yabakei, and Tsutami-Yabakei — and is one of Oita’s
must-visit regions for its dramatic cliff formations and autumn colors.

A bit further south is Keisekien, a 20,000-square-meter curated garden space built at the base of Yabakei Dam.
This memorial park was built in 1987 in honor of the dam’s completion, featuring stepping stones across gentle
creeks, mossy walking paths, waterfalls, and a striking red bridge with a beautiful overview of the garden. In the
evening, a series of colorful lights illuminate the park into a nighttime autumn-viewing event that will equally
satisfy your hunt for autumn colors.

We can’t end things here without mentioning the quintessential Oita-autumn experience of admiring the fall
colors from an outdoor rotenburo onsen. The hot springs at Kokonoe’s Yamae No Yu come out a mineral-rich
milky blue, perfectly offsetting the autumn hues of the surrounding Kuju Mountain Range. The lack of light
pollution also means that you’ll have spectacular starry views of the Kuju sky at night. Hunting for autumn
leaves doesn’t have to be a hurried affair, and a soak in our hot springs will undoubtedly help ensure that.

Once again, we hope you’ll be able to join us in your Oita’s glorious autumn colors on your next visit and look
forward to welcoming you back to Japan.