Cecelia ChangOn the hunt for a perfect destination to see gorgeous fall foliage in Japan? Look no further than the underrated beauty of Niigata Prefecture. Situated close to the capital city Tokyo (only approximately 70 minutes to Echigo Yuzawa Station), Niigata Prefecture offers many fun family-friendly activities that will guarantee you an incredible autumn adventure! We’ve compiled a list of enchanting places to admire the vibrant colours of the autumn season in Niigata. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or a family trip, these places are absolute must-visits!
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Looking to plan your next trip to Japan? Then make sure to head to the Japan Travel Fair happening from 29 Sep to 1 Oct 2023 at Marina Square, Level 2 Atrium! Happening from 10am to 9pm, you’ll find the travel booths of over 20 Japanese regions and local tourism organisations, including Niigata Prefecture’s massive booth! There, you’ll find representatives from Niigata Tourism who will assist you with planning your visit, including the best timing, transportation, and locations according to your travel goals! What’s more, you can show them this article to redeem a free gift (while stocks last)! |
Also read: An Epic 5D4N Self-Drive Itinerary to Explore the Best of Niigata, Japan
Must-visit autumn viewing spots in Niigata
1. Yuzawa Kogen Highland Park
One of the best places to see autumn foliage in Niigata is undoubtedly Yuzawa Kogen Highland Park. This place is not only great for seeing colourful autumn leaves, but also a famous skiing destination during wintertime. Take a stroll in the park while watching the picturesque red, orange, and yellow foliage encircling the pond, or take Instagrammable photos at the Monument Chair installation.
The Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway, a seated transportation is also renowned for featuring the astonishing autumn hues in the mountainous region while bringing visitors up to the highland area. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Alp No Sato garden full of different species of colourful flora, or try out a thrilling zipline course and go-karts at an additional charge. What’s better? These activities are all family-friendly and suitable for kids!
Address: 490 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
2. Kiyotsu Gorge
When searching for scenic places to visit in Niigata during the fall season, Kiyotsu Gorge would probably appear as one of the top attractions. Bordering Yuzawa and Tokamachi, this natural attraction allures visitors with its spectacular canyon and pedestrian tunnel which is regarded as the Tunnel of Light. In 2018, this place was renovated, and the tunnel has been transformed into an art gallery.
The entrance fee for adults is JP¥1,000 (~S$9.20), and JP¥400 (~S$3.70) for children. Now, visitors not only can be dazzled by the beauty of autumn scenery but also indulge in activities such as hiking, exploring art installations, and having a sip of coffee. That’s right — right next to the tunnel, you’ll find a cafe and even a foot bath facility!
Address: Koide, Tokamachi City, Niigata 949-8433, Japan
3. Dragondola
The Dragondola cable car also provides an ideal autumn viewing experience in Niigata. Stretching over 5,000 metres, it is the longest ropeway in Japan and one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in the area. A one-way journey on the Dragondola takes approximately 25 minutes, allowing visitors to leisurely appreciate the astonishing visual feast of fiery autumn foliage from above. It will also pass by the Kiyotsu River and Lake Futai, so get your cameras ready to capture the spectacular vista! To hop on this journey, a ticket for adults costs JP¥3,800 (~S$35.00) while a ticket for children is priced at JP¥2,200 (~S$20.30).
Address: 202 Mikuni, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6292, Japan
4. Bijin Bayashi Forest
The Bijin Bayashi Forest is a park that houses hundreds of mighty beech trees, a destination in Niigata that boasts enchanting views during all seasons, particularly in autumn. These beech trees are almost a century old, so you’ll be exploring a living, breathing piece of history when you traverse the ambient woods! During the golden season, the trees here transform into a series of warm colours, and the fallen leaves form a stunning carpet of foliage. The best thing? You can enter the park for free, and it’s open 24 hours, every day of the week!
Address: 1712-2, Matsunoyama-matsuguchi, Tokamachi City, Niigata 942-1411, Japan
5. Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Field
Image credit: Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association
While the Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Field (aka Hoshitouge Rice Terrace) is a popular tourist attraction all year round, it is a great place to witness an enchanting autumnal view of Niigata. Amongst the many rice fields in Tokamachi City, this is the most recommended for those looking forward to viewing golden brown rice terraces and a sea of clouds.
In the fall season, the mist blankets the rice paddies, and the water-filled paddies resemble sky mirrors, forming a glorious sight. It’s a lovely place to cycle around but if you’re driving here, free parking is available too.
Address: Touge, Tokamachi City, Niigata 942-1351, Japan
6. Yahiko Park
The Yahiko Park in Niigata embodies all the beauty you would expect from a beautiful autumn sight in Japan. You’ll be greeted with the fiery red, warm orange, and bright yellow maple trees all over the park. Of course, other than autumn foliage, this is also a popular spot to watch cherry blossom during springtime. It houses a shrine, streams, tiny waterfalls, and traditional Japanese red vermillion bridges.
If the scenery at the park is not enough to amaze you (which is very unlikely!), you can also take the cable car to go up the mountain for a greater view. Besides, there are many local restaurants, souvenir stores, and even a hot spring, all within walking distance from Yahiko Park. Only about a 1-minute walking distance away from the Yahiko Station via JR Yahiko Line, the park is no doubt a must-go autumn viewing spot for travellers who rely on public transportation.
Address: 667-1, Yahiko, Yahiko Village, Nishikambara District, Niigata 959-0323, Japan
7. The Old Saito Residence
Immerse yourself in tranquillity while watching the gorgeous autumn hues in The Old Saito Residence. This massive Japanese house was built in 1918 by a wealthy industrialist Kijuro Saito IV as a family villa. Nowadays, it is designated as a national place of scenic beauty. Visitors love exploring the art gallery inside the traditional Japanese house and learning about its unique culture, as well as strolling through the quaint garden that boasts a stream, waterfall, pond, and stone paths. Not to mention the vibrant pine trees, maple trees, bamboo and ume (Japanese plum) trees that juxtapose the ordinary house, forming a picturesque vista.
Events like the Geisha performance and tea ceremony, as well as educative seminars, will be held here from time to time. To enter, adult visitors have to pay a fee of JP¥300 (~S$2.70) while the ticket for children costs JP¥100 (~S$0.90).
Address: 576, Ohata Town, Nishi, Chuo District, Niigata City, Niigata 951-8104, Japan
8. Naena Waterfall
Nestled in Myoko is the Naena Waterfall, also known as the Naenataki Fall, another autumn viewing destination in Niigata worth visiting. Famous for its 55-metre-high cascading waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and brilliant foliage in the autumn season, many love coming for a hike, or simply cherishing the splendid view from the observatory. Past visitors have also mentioned how family-friendly the pathways are, as small kids will also be able to navigate the trails with relative ease.
There’s also a cafe near the entrance, where you can enjoy ice cream and pumpkin puddings at a reasonable price. Next to the cafe is a restaurant where hearty meals are served. You can even try fishing in the area, and feast on your catches!
Address: Suginosawa, Myoko City, Niigata 949-2113, Japan
9. Shoun Sanso
Shoun Sanso is a well-known place to see autumn foliage. Situated right behind this Japanese garden is the Akasakayama Park. The garden boasts a mix of maple trees and pine trees, which guarantees an awesome autumn scenery. Approximately a 20-minute walk away from JR Kashiwazaki station, Shoun Sanso spans around 0.96 hectares and houses the Kimura Tea Ceremony Museum.
The museum is a lesser-known gem in the prefecture, ideal for tea lovers as visitors can enjoy tea in national treasure-grade tea vessels. The cost to enter the Kimura Tea Ceremony Museum is JP¥1,100 (~S$10.20) for adults and JP¥800 (~S$6.50) for visitors aged 18 years old and below. Both the tea ceremony explanation and the tea itself are included in the price.
The entrance hours of Shoun Sanso are 9am to 5pm. Nevertheless, during the annual autumn leaves illumination from late October to late November, it will be open until 9pm, allowing visitors to appreciate the breathtaking autumn landscape at night. The best part? Entrance to Shoun Sanso is free!
Address: 3 Midoricho, Kashiwazaki, Niigata 945-0841, Japan
10. Shirone Grape Garden
During the autumn season in Japan, there’s actually something fun to do with family and friends, and that’s fruit picking! In Niigata, Shirone Grape Garden is a place where families can enjoy picking and eating fresh fruits together. While fruit picking is available in the garden all year round, there are also seasonal fruits such as Niigata’s famous Echigo Hime (Princess) strawberries, which are usually available from early January to late June; and peaches, which are normally available during the month of August. Visitors in autumn, however, can try their hand at picking grapes, available from mid-July to early November. For the month of December, visitors can even try the special Le Lectier pear. Here, you can also enjoy handmade fresh fruit gelato.
Shirone Grape Garden is open every day from 10am to 5pm (9am to 5pm from July to October). The price for all-you-can-eat strawberries is around JP¥1,200 (~S$11.20), and separate charges apply for other fruit products.
Address: 573 Washinoki Shinden, Minami-ku, Niigata City, Japan
Also read: Exploring the Nagano & Niigata Regions: Best Autumn Viewing Spots, Food & More
So there you go, a list of dazzling autumn viewing spots in Niigata you must visit. All that’s left to do now is simply to plan your travel to Niigata during the autumn season and embark on a trip filled with vibrant foliage, unique cultural experiences, and fun family-friendly activities. A one-of-a-kind journey in Niigata awaits you!
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Looking to plan your next trip to Japan? Then make sure to head to the Japan Travel Fair happening from 29 Sep to 1 Oct 2023 at Marina Square, Level 2 Atrium! Happening from 10am to 9pm, you’ll find the travel booths of over 20 Japanese regions and local tourism organisations, including Niigata Prefecture’s massive booth! There, you’ll find representatives from Niigata Tourism who will assist you with planning your visit, including the best timing, transportation, and locations according to your travel goals! What’s more, you can show them this article to redeem a free gift (while stocks last)! Japan Travel Fair Date: Friday (29 September 2023) to (Sunday 1 October 2023) Time: 10am to 9pm Venue: Marina Square, Level 2 Atrium |
Sponsored by Niigata Prefecture Tourism. All images credited to Niigata Prefecture Tourism, unless otherwise stated.
