Get on a Rental Car and Explore the Magnificent Sceneries in Niigata Prefecture Where Fiery Autumn Leaves Await

Have you ever heard of “BijinBayashi Forest” (美人林) where you want to lie down on the ground and look up at the trees like a kid, and “Gorge Kiyotsukyo” (清津峡) offering a breathtaking scenery located in Niigata Prefecture? Both are very famous scenic spots widely known especially for the beautiful autumn leaves turning into fiery red from mid of October. In this issue, we will introduce the best 3 spots that are perfect for admiring the beauty of Niigata’s great nature in autumn.

The best way to visit the sites introduced below from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel is to rent a car.

“BijinBayashi Forest”, the forest who was named after the beauty of the standing trees

“BijinBayashi Forest” (美人林), the beautiful forest full of 100-year-old beech trees all over is said that the name comes from the dignified and beautiful appearance of the trees. In the past, this forest once became treeless by the end of the Taisho era since all the trees had been cut down for making charcoal. However, in the following year, the young shoots of beech that sprouted all at once grew to trees, and they formed a brilliant standing figure that is unparalleled in its tidiness. Inhabiting of various wild birds such as Ruddy Kingfisher and Japanese Paradise Flycatcher makes this forest the best place for bird watching. Feel nature with all your senses by breathing in the refreshing air while listening to the chirping of birds and the music of the breeze swinging the leaves. The best season for autumn leaves is coming in the mid of October, so enjoy a leisurely walk in the woods while gazing at the leaves in yellow, orange and red.

Address	1712-2 Matsunoyama Matsuguchi, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	Around a 90-minute drive away from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/10084

“Gorge Kiyotsukyo” where the breathtaking scenery created by the rocky surface of mountains and the crystal-clear stream welcomes you

“Gorge Kiyotsukyo” (清津峡) is named as one of Japan’s three greatest gorges. The huge rocky cliffs facing each other over the Kiyotsu River form a V-shaped valley, and the landscape of the rock surface of columnar joints and the flowing stream in emerald green are true art. For those who wish to thoroughly appreciate the modeling beauty created by crustal movements over a long period of time, head to ‘Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel’ (清津峡渓谷トンネル) for visitors. At the Panorama Station, the end of the 750m long tunnel, the overwhelming scenery of each season and the water mirror reflecting it awaits. As that many people visit the gorge from mid-October to November shows, the best season for autumn leaves is just around the corner.

Opening Hours	8:30AM – 5:00PM *The entrance gate closes at 4:00PM
Admission for the tunnel	800 yen *Reservation required for busy seasons in spring, summer and autumn
Address	Koide, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	Around a 90-minute drive away from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://nakasato-kiyotsu.com/en/

“Yahikoyama Ropeway” taking you to the fascinating scenery of the Echigo Plain

“Yahikoyama Ropeway” (弥彦山ロープウェイ) takes you to the summit of Mt. Yahiko, a mountain that has been worshiped as a sacred mountain since ancient times, from the foot of the mountain that’s approximately 1,000 meters away from the summit in about 5 minutes. While riding the ropeway, don’t miss the spectacular view in which the Echigo Plain and the mountains standing behind the plain are harmonized as if they are in a painting. When you’ve reached the summit, don’t forget to stop by the observatory restaurant and ‘Panorama Tower’, a rotating observatory tower. On the summit, as there’s also the Okunomiya (rear shrine) of ‘Yahiko Shrine’ (彌彦神社), one of the powerful shrines of Niigata, you can visit and pray for peace and a huge harvest. The mountain attracts more visitors in spring where cherry blossoms in full bloom await and in autumn where the autumn foliage colors the mountain in red, orange and yellow.

Opening Hours	April – November 9:00AM – 5:00PM / December – March 9:00AM – 4:30PM
Fare	1500 yen for round trip journey / 800 yen for one way journey
住所	2898 Yahiko, Yahiko Village, Nishikambara District, Niigata Prefecture
アクセス	Around a 40-minute drive away from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.hotel-juraku.co.jp/yahiko/