Norikura Plateau Autumn leaves viewing hiking
Norikura information center ～Zengoro fall ～ Ushidome-ike ～ Azami-ike ～Maime-ike ～ Dojyo-ike ～ Big Japanese Maple tree
2 hours and 30 minutes ~ 3 hours in total（For families）
Best season
Autumn Leaves: the best season for this route is from middle October to late October
：Mountain Villa InformationNorikura information center
↓ 7 minutes
Entrance of Zengoro falls
↓ 20 minutes
Zengoro falls
↓ 20 minutes
Ushidome-ike
↓ 25 minutes
Azami-ike
↓ 10 minutes
Maime-ike
↓ 5 minutes
Dojyo-ike
↓ 3 minutes
Big Japanese Maple tree
↓ 50 minutes
Norikura information center
Route Guide
There are many hiking courses within Norikura Plateau and the course introduced above is only one example. The autumn leaves of Mongolian Oaks, Japanese white birch and maples are beautiful in the plateau. The most beautiful viewing spot is the image of the autumn leaves reflected on the water surface of Maime-ike and Dojyo-ike. Many photographers visit to capture the view of Mt. Norikura-dake and the autumn leaves reflected on the water. The variance in elevation for this route is about 100 m and it is an easy hike. The peak of the autumn leaves of Mongolian Oaks is after the middle of October. If you wish to visit Azami-ike at Ichinose-enchi, Maime-ike, Dojyo-ike, and a big Japanese Maple Tree, you may drive there yourself since the parking lot is available nearby.
The peak for big Japanese Maple Tree is usually around October 20th. A beautiful collaboration of morning frost reflecting the morning sunshine around 7 to 8 am and autumn leaves at Ichinose-enchi can be viewed in late autumn, late October.