See it from a ropeway, a suspension bridge, and a trolley train! Spectacular view! Autumn Foliage Spots in the Sky

Late autumn is the season when the mountains change colors. You will want to go out to see the autumn leaves. How about taking a bird's-eye view of the mountains as they turn red? Take a ropeway for a walk in the air, a suspension bridge for a view of the autumn leaves, or a trolley train for a view of the autumn leaves from the window. Let's visit autumn foliage viewing spots in the sky! (*The best time to view the autumn leaves may vary slightly depending on the weather.)

Soeda Town, Fukuoka Prefecture Hikosan Slope Car

The autumn foliage spot at Lingshan is a power spot in the sky!

Echigo-zan, one of the three highest mountains in Japan, is 1,200 meters above sea level and consists of three peaks.
Straddling Fukuoka and Oita prefectures, the mountain has long been revered as a sacred mountain. beech forests on the summit begin to change color in late September, and as the weather gets colder, maple trees and dodan azaleas at the foot of the mountain also begin to change their leaves. The mountain also boasts a long fall foliage season.

The Hikosan Shrine is located in the center of the mountain, and the "Hikosan Slope Car" makes the climb up the stone approach leading to the Bonheiden, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, a breeze. It takes only 7 minutes from "Hana-eki" (flower station) at the Hidehikosan Hanazono to "Shin-eki" (god station) in front of the Muhoiden. During the ride, you can enjoy the aerial view of the autumn leaves while receiving power from the mountain of God. The autumn foliage around the approach to the temple is also not to be missed. The autumn leaves can also be viewed from the hot spring baths and restaurant at Hikosan Hotel Nagomi.

Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture Mt. Sarakura Cable Car and Slope Car

City of Kitakyushu below
In front of you is a mountain view in brocade autumn

Sarakura is located 622 meters above sea level, adjacent to the city center, and many people enjoy light hiking, but for an easy way to reach the summit, take the cable car and slope car operated by the Sarakura Mountain Railway. The cable car takes about 6 minutes from Sanroku Station to Sanjo Station, and the slope car takes about 3 minutes from Sanjo Station to the observatory station at the summit.
And you can enjoy the autumn foliage on the cable car, which is entirely covered with glass. Climb up the mountain while viewing the autumn maple leaves and yellow gingko from the windows of the car. In fact, it is one of the longest cable cars in western Japan, with a total length of 1,100 meters.

There is an observatory with a restaurant at the observatory station, from where you can see the autumn leaves of the mountain and the Kitakyushu city area. At night, the night view, selected as one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan" and "100 Best Night Views," will also fascinate you.

Unzen Ropeway, Unzen City, Nagasaki

There are more than 120 species of trees with fall foliage!
Mountains and people are going to turn red!

Mt. Unzen is a volcano in the central part of the Shimabara Peninsula, consisting of more than 20 mountains in total, including Heiseishinzan, the highest peak, Fugendake, Kunimidake, and Myokamidake. It is not only an active volcano, but is also known for its beautiful scenery during the four seasons. During the fall foliage season, more than 120 species of fir, komine maple, urihada maple, and dodan azalea turn their leaves red, and the area is designated as a national natural monument (Fugendake broad-leaved forest).

The Unzen Ropeway allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage scenery on a sightseeing tour in the air. The ropeway connects Nitatoge Station at an elevation of 1,040 meters to Myokomidake Station at an elevation of 1,333 meters. It takes only about 3 minutes, but during that time, you can enjoy the autumn foliage as far as the eye can see.
Also, from this time of year through winter, a sea of clouds spreads out in front of the observation platform at Myokodake Station, and the Amakusa Archipelago can be seen beyond it!

Takamori-cho, Kumamoto

Minamiaso Railway, which has been fully reconstructed
Enjoy the autumn foliage of the Shirakawa First Bridge

The Daiichi Shirakawa Bridge was damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake, and was reopened after the replacement work was completed on July 15, 2023. With this, the Minamiaso Railway also reopened a total of 17.7 km between Takamori and Tateno Stations.
The trolley train "Yusuge-go" makes two round trips a day on weekends and holidays, taking 55 minutes each way. The autumn foliage spot in the sky is, of course, on the Shirakawa Daiichi Bridge.

This railway bridge was once the tallest of the former Japanese National Railways, reaching a height of about 60 meters from the Shirakawa River to the rail surface. This is the most attractive point of the Minamiaso Railway, where the train slows down and runs slowly. The valley floor and river below, and the 60-degree panoramic view of autumn leaves. Enjoy the scenery from the train window while taking a deep breath of the Aso wind. (*Reservations must be made online at least three days in advance.)

Ume-no-Ki Todoroki Park Suspension Bridge and Momiki Suspension Bridge, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Thrills and spectacular views in one of Japan's most unexplored areas!

The Gojaso area, known as the village of Heike Ochino, is usually covered with maple trees, maples, beeches, and dodan azaleas from late October to late November, colorfully decorating the mountains. The Umenoki Todoroki Park Suspension Bridge, which leads to the Umenoki Todoroki Waterfall, is 116 meters long and 55 meters high, and has no supporting ropes or pillars, making it a thrilling experience! Screaming and spectacular views may intersect. Cross the suspension bridge and continue on the trail to Umenoki Todoroki Falls, which has a drop of 38 meters. Below the falls, there are also the Nobori-ryu Falls and the Umegae Falls.

From here, drive south on Prefectural Road 159 for about 20 minutes to Momigi Suspension Bridge.
The two suspension bridges spanning the Kawabe River, named the 72-meter-long "Ayatori Bridge" and the 59-meter-long "Shakunage Bridge," are a beautiful sight in the valley as a father-and-son bridge. Both bridges are made of thick wire ropes and local cedar and chestnut trees. However, the ropes sway nervously as you walk on them, and the steep valley peeks through the gaps in the floorboards.

Shirasui Waterfall and Suspension Bridge, Mizukami Village, Kumamoto Prefecture

Colorful mountains as you look around
If you look at your feet, you will see a clear waterfall basin!

This is another spot with a spectacular view and exhilarating autumn foliage in the sky. The Hakusui Waterfall Suspension Bridge is located in the Hakusui Natural Forest Park in Mizukami Village, which borders Miyazaki Prefecture. Hakusui Waterfall is a couple of waterfalls, one male and one female, each with its own suspension bridge.
The "Hakuryuuhi Bridge" is 120 meters long at the Female Waterfall and the "Hakuryuohi Bridge" is 160 meters long at the Male Waterfall, the longest suspension bridge in Kumamoto Prefecture. Although the "Hakuryuoh Bridge" is the longer of the two, the "Hakuryuoh Bridge" is actually 150 meters above the waterfall basin and is covered with acrylic panels that allow visitors to see through to the bottom of the bridge.
In terms of thrill level, the queen wins! After all, beauty and fear coexist?

Beppu Ropeway, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

Aerial walk above the autumn leaves on a large gondola

The Beppu Ropeway heads to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Tsurumidake Mountain. The ropeway has two gondolas, the "Yufu-go" and the "Tsurumi-go," both with a capacity of 101 passengers, making it one of the largest ropeways in Kyushu. From inside the ropeway, visitors can see Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the mountains of Shikoku to the east, as well as Lake Shiko and the Jojima Plateau to the south.
And on the top of Mt. Tsurumidake, the autumn leaves of Urihada maple, Kouchiwa maple, and mountain cherry trees begin to change color from mid-October and spread to the foot of the mountain by the end of November. A walk in the air while viewing the reddish mountains and the blue waters of Beppu Bay is enjoyable.

In front of Tsurumiyama-ue Station, there is the Tsurumiyama-ue Gongen Ichinomiya Shrine, and along the promenade, there are seven gods of good fortune. Many visitors make the "Seven Lucky Gods Tour" along with the scenery on the mountain. In fact, winter and October cherry blossoms bloom in the park at Sanroku Station, making it a rare spot where visitors can enjoy both autumn leaves and cherry blossoms at the same time.

Kokonoe "Dream" Suspension Bridge, Kokonoe Town, Oita Prefecture

Enjoy the brocade of full mountain foliage from the 390-meter-long suspension bridge

The bridge opened on October 30, 2006, and was a great success, coinciding with the autumn foliage season. The origin of the bridge is also closely related to the autumn colors. 70 years ago, a local shopkeeper suggested that if a bridge were built over the valley, both the waterfall and the autumn leaves would be seen beautifully. However, the local elders refused to accept the proposal, saying, "Are you sleepy? Half a century later, the dream came true.
The 390-meter-long pedestrian-only suspension bridge is built at an elevation of 777 meters and is 173 meters above the surface of the Naruko River, the highest in Japan at present. The floorboard at the midpoint is lattice-shaped, and the Naruko River can be seen directly below. And the surrounding area is covered in autumn leaves. The world of a nishiki-e (brocade picture) spreads out.

In honor of the bridge's popularity, the 12 hot springs in Kokonoe Town are collectively called "Kokonoe "Dream" Onsen-kyo". Why don't you warm yourself in a hot spring after enjoying viewing the autumn leaves on the suspension bridge? The view of the autumn leaves from the bathtub is also a paradise, a paradise.

Takachiho, Miyazaki Takachiho Amaterasu Railway

Takachiho Railway, a third-sector railroad that once enjoyed popularity for its "Kagura-go" trolley train, was closed 20 years ago due to typhoon damage, but former employees have reopened the line as the Takachiho Amaterasu Railway. Visitors can enjoy a 5-km, 30-minute round-trip trip from Takachiho Station on a biodiesel-powered grand super cart.
The highlight is the Takachiho Railroad Bridge, the tallest railroad bridge in Japan. A popular service is to pause at the 353-meter-long, 105-meter-high railway bridge and blow soap bubbles.

And in late fall, the beautiful autumn foliage scenery of the Grand Canyon adds to the experience. The open-top vehicle is an exhilarating experience. Soap bubbles fly over the canyon and disappear. It is also a nice touch. The colorful illumination on the tunnel ceiling is fantastic.

Kunimigaoka Observatory, Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture

Lucky chance a few times a year.
Double shot of sea of clouds and autumn leaves

Now, the autumn foliage spots in the sky introduced so far, aside from Sarakurayama, are a hurdle for those who are afraid of heights. Kunimigaoka Observation Hill is a spot where even those who feel uneasy about not having their feet on the ground can experience the "feeling of the sky. Located at an elevation of 513 meters above sea level, it is a famous spot for viewing the sea of clouds. It is said that Ninigi no Mikoto descended from the heavens, and the view of Aso to the west, the Grandmother Mountain range to the north, and the Takachiho Basin below to the east can be seen.
Early in the morning from early October to late November, which also coincides with the fall foliage season, a sea of clouds appears, depending on weather conditions. The chance to see a sea of clouds occurs only a few times a year, but the best time to try it is when the weather is clear, windless, and the temperature drops sharply. The sight of a sea of white clouds trailing in the sky is like standing in the sky.