Ultimate Map of Fall Foliage Destinations in Japan : Yamagata Prefecture

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata prefecture(30〜35)

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 30:
Sankyo Warehouse (山居倉庫) in Sakata

Autumn Sakata Warehouses

First Fall Colors: End of October
Fall Colors Peak: Beginning of November
Recommended Spot: Warehouse area
Access: 10-minute ride by free sightseeing bicycles from JR Sakata Station; 8-minute ride by Runrun Bus – Sakita Station University line to Sankyo Soko Mae
Address: 1-1-20 Sankyo-machi, Sakata-shi, 998-0838 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★★☆

Sakata, Yamagata is known for its Edo period warehouses that were used to store rice. The Sankyo Warehouses’ cool dark colors complement the autumn hues nicely, making an incredibly picturesque scene in the fall. 

As you enjoy the Yamagata fall foliage, there is also a museum that showcases the history of the warehouses and the Sakata area.

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 31:
Entsuin & Chokai Forest (眺海の森) in Sakata

fall foliage

First Fall Colors: Middle of October
Fall Colors Peak: Beginning of November
Recommended Spot: Chokai no Mori Sansan(Temporarily closed)
Access: 25-min taxi ride from JR Sagoshi Station or JR Amarume Station (JR Rikuu West Line, JR Uetsu Main Line)
Address: Ohira Tsuchibuchi, Sakata-shi, 999-6839 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★★☆

The natural beauty of Sakata, Yamagata is on full display at Chokai no Mori, or Chokai Forest. Especially in autumn, this park impresses with its breath-taking beauty and serene atmosphere. In fact, Chokai forest offers scenic views of Shonai Plain, Mogami River, and the Sea of Japan. 

Be sure to check out the Chokai no Mori Sansan, and the mountaintop temple  Mine no Yakushi along with the fall foliage.

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 32:
Mogami Gorge (最上峡) in Mogami – Tozawa

Fall Foliage Yamagata

First Fall Colors: Middle of October
Fall Colors Peak: late-October to early-November
Recommended Spot: Around Shiraito Falls
Access: 10min taxi ride from Furukuchi Station (JR Rikuu West Line)
Address: Furukuchi, Tozawa-mura, Mogami-gun, 999-6401 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★★☆

Along the Mogami River in Yamagata, you can see amazing fall foliage while gently cruising down the river. The autumn hues painting the hills and cliffs are similar the famous Nagatoro in Saitama. 

Nearby, you can visit the Dewa Sanzan Shrine and Shiraito Falls. The waterfall along with fall foliage is especially beautiful. 

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 33:
Bonji Ravine, Mount Yudono (梵字川渓谷・湯殿山周辺) in Tsuruoka

Yamagata mountain autumn leaves

First Fall Colors: Mid-October; late-September
Fall Colors Peak: early-October – late-October
Access: 45-minute bus ride from JR Tsuruoka Station until Gassan Asahi Hakubutsu-mura
Address: Bonji River Ravine, Etchuyama Nabira, Tsuruoka-shi, 997-0403 Yamagata; Mt. Yudono, Rokuju Riyama Tamugimata, Tsuruoka-shi, 997-0532 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★☆☆

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 34:
Yama-dera (山寺) in Yamagata

First Fall Colors: mid-October
Fall Colors Peak: early-November
Access: 5min walk from Yamadera Station (JR Senzan Line)
Address: 4495-15 Yamadera, Yamagata-shi, 999-3301 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★★☆

Yamadera is an amazing mountain top temple in Yamagata, Japan. Fall foliage elevates this spectacular destination to all new heights. The autumn hues together with the wooden Japanese temple is well-worth a visit while you are in Japan. 

Yama-dera (山寺) literally means “Mountain Temple” and is located in Yamagata City, Yamagata prefecture. It sits at the top of at the foot of the steep hill Hōshū-yama and is deemed an important historic site in Japan…

Fall Foliage Destinations in Yamagata 35:
Tengendai (天元台) in Yonezawa

fall foliage yamagata

First Fall Colors: late-September
Fall Colors Peak: mid-October
Recommended Spot: Ropeway morning view
Access: 40min bus ride from JR Yonezawa Station to Shirabu-Onsen; 5min ride from Ropeway-Yumoto Station to Kogen Station
Address: Tengendai Kogen, Sumomoyama 12118-6, Yonezawa-shi, 992-1461 Yamagata
Ranking: ★★★★☆

Yonezawa is in the south-western area of Yamagata Prefecture. The area welcomes skiers and snowboarders from around Japan with its quality slopes. But before the snow arrives, autumn hues take over the mountainous landscape.

Note: Details may have changed since the publication of this post. For the most current information, please check the homepage of the facility, product or campaign.

Original article published: February 13, 2018