6 Best Spots Autumn Leaves Spots within 30 minutes’ distance from Sendai Station and Yamagata Station

Located in the north part of Japan’s main island, Tohoku region has some spots whose leaves are beginning to change color. This time, we focused on 2 prefectures of 6 ones, Miyagi and Yamagata, and selected autumn leaves spots around Sendai Station and Yamagata Station. You can move in about one hour and a half by JR Senyama Line between these stations. Here, we’d like to introduce 6 spots within 30 minutes by train or bus from them where magnificent autumn scenery created by nature and artificial things spreads out. Besides, 2 stations are near shopping districts filled with a great variety of eateries, such as Aoba-ku in Sendai City and Nanokamachi area in Yamagata City. So, it’s a good idea to enjoy autumn leaves and local foods in 2 nights and 3 days. By the way, the best season of these spots for viewing autumn leaves is said to come from mid-October to late-November.

■Autumn Leaves Spots around Sendai Station

Vermilion and jet black buildings change the impression of maple －”Zuihoden Mausoleum” creating a gorgeous picturesque view

“Zuihoden Mausoleum (瑞鳳殿)” was built in 1636 by the will of Date Masamune who was famous as a great warrior between the late 1500s and the early 1600s. There are elaborate carvings and gold leaf everywhere in the building, and they show Momoyama culture which was a trend in the late 1500s. When autumn leaves start to change their colors, maples surround Zuihoden Mausoleum and create a more solemn and elegant view. In addition, you should stop by at 2 jet black-colored buildings in the same site: ‘Kansenden Temple (感仙殿)’ and ‘Zennoden Temple (善応殿).’ The contrast of these buildings and vivid-colored maple leaves is powerful and awesome.

The peak of the autumn leaves	From mid-October to late-November
Opening Hours	1st February to 30th November 9:00AM – 4:50PM／1st December to 31st February 9:00AM – 4:20PM
Address	23-2, Otamayashita, Aoba-ku Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Mukoyama 2-chome Bus Stop where it takes 11 minutes by bus from Sendai Station
URL	https://www.zuihoden.com/en/

The calm waterside, autumnal trees and the three-storied pagoda remind you of the scene about 400 years ago －”Rinnoji Temple” with one of Tohoku’s famous gardens

“Rinnoji Temple (輪王寺)” is related to Date clan, the former lord of Sendai City. Since it was built in 1441, it had continued to relocate every time the Date clan’s residence changes, and it seems that it came to its present location in 1602 when the first Sendai feudal lord, Date Masamune, moved to Sendai Castle. Covered with rich nature such as maple trees and ginkgo trees, Rinnoji Temple will become brighter and more gorgeous as fall is in full swing. On both sides of the approach leading from the first torii gate to the main hall, lots of trees with colored leaves are lined up, so your heart will skip a beat just by walking. Trees surround the central pond where carps swim leisurely and create a fantastic view that even the surface of the water is dyed in autumn colors. Moreover, the three-storied pagoda with a height of 22.6 meters stands on the left hand and makes you feel more wabi-sabi (the beauty coming from simplicity).

The peak of the autumn leaves	From early-November to late-November
Opening Hours	8:00AM – 5:00PM
Address	1-14-1 Kitayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Access	A 4-minute walk from Rinnoji Bus Stop where it takes 16 minutes by bus from Sendai Station
URL	https://rinno-ji.or.jp/

Having a panoramic view of Sendai City gradually added color by trees －”Site of Sendai Castle” where you can feel the romance in the scenery that Date Masamune would have seen before

Built in 1610 by Date Masamune, ‘Sendai Castle’ used to stand on the top of Mt. Aoba with an altitude of about 130 meters and cliffs on the east and south side. Unfortunately, the castle had been lost, but a stunning view is laid before his statue. You can see the cityscape of Sendai City and Sendai Plain without being bothering by anything. If it’s sunny, the Pacific Ocean will also appear. At the near side, trees gather and add colors to the scenery like a coloring book when their leaves change color. Don’t you feel a romance through thinking that Masamune was also looking at this scenery from this place, do you?

The peak of the autumn leaves	From late-October to late-November
Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Sendaijoato Bus Stop where it takes 22 minutes by bus from Sendai Station
URL	https://sendai-travel.jp/places/sendai-castle-site/

■Autumn Leaves Spots around Yamagata Station

Watch a dynamic scene of the waterfall sliding down the rock surface and Feel thrilling by walking over the suspension bridge! －”Koyo River Gorge” perfect for trekking

“Koyo River Gorge” spreads out at the foot of Mt. Omoshiro which is located on the border between Yamagata Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture. Why not enjoy autumn leaves while trekking? There is about a 2 km course leading from Omoshiroyama Kogen Station on the JR Senyama Line to Yamadera Station. This course has large and small waterfall pouring into the valley and suspension bridges allowing you to feel thrilled. Clear water flows at your feet, and you can meet char swimming elegantly in the water. If you’re lucky, salamanders may show up. When you look up, trees coloring the valley such as maple, wild cherry and sumacs, and evergreen trees catch your eyes.

The peak of the autumn leaves	From late-October to late-November
Admission Time	It varies according to seasons or weather, please call Sendai City Office (023-641-1212). *You must wear athletic shoes and clothes that are easy to exercise.
Address	Omoshiroyama, Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute walk from Omoshiroyamakogen Station which is 6 stations away from Yamagata Station on the Senyama Line

Illuminated until 8th November －”Risshakuji Temple” that has been standing on a cliff covered with old cedar and maple for over 1,100 years

“Risshakuji Temple (立石寺)” whose history started from 860 is called ‘Yamadera (Mount Temple)’ because it’s located on a steep cliff. When you look up at the temple from the bottom, it looks a carpet is hung on the mountain because of countless old cedar trees and maple ones turning their colors. The rugged rocks showing between the trees seem to tell the history of the temple that has spent many years here. Now, let’s head to ‘Godaido (五大堂)’ on the summit while climbing 1,015 stone steps and seeing autumn leaves! At Godaido, you will feel as if you’re flying in the sky. The comfortable breeze and a mountain in warm colors wrap you. By the way, it will be illuminated from 25th October to 8th November. However, Risshakuji Temple is prohibited from entering at night, so we recommend you view it from the Monzencho shopping street at the foot of the mountain or Basho Memorial Hall.

The peak of the autumn leaves	From mid-October to early-November
Opening Hours	8:00AM – 3:30PM／Lighting Time 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Address	4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Yamadera Station which is 3 stations away from Yamagata Station on the Senyama Line
URL	https://www.rissyakuji.jp/

Maples dye the garden fiery red color －”Momiji Park” fascinating visitors with the collaboration of autumn leaves and water

“Maple Park (もみじ公園)” is known for being dyed bright red by maple leaves. This area used to be the garden of ‘Hodoji Temple,’ and it is said that maple leaves were planted when Tadahiro Matsudaira, who was the lord of the Yamagata domain, renovated it around 1665. The site is still maintained as a Japanese garden and filled with lots of maple trees. When leaves turn red, the garden turns into fiery red color, and countless leaves cover people’s heads. The scenery exactly looks like a pattern of Kimono. In addition, you should check 2 reflections to enjoy the autumn scenery of this garden to your heart’s content. One is the large windows of ‘Seifuso (清風荘),’ which used to be a part of the temple. The maple leaves are clearly reflected on them, and the old wooden frame should look like a picture frame. The other one is ‘Shinji Pond(心字池)’ with the shape of the character ‘心’. The surface of the water that reflects the red maple like a water mirror and the stone lanterns arranged around it create a calming scenery that makes you want to take a sigh of relief.

The peak of the autumn leaves	11月上旬〜11月中旬頃
Opening Hours	24 Hours (Seifuso is closed on Monday and during New Year’s Holidays)
Address	2-16-7 Higashihara-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Higashihara 3-chome Bus Stop where it takes 5 minutes by bus
URL	http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/db/cgi-bin/search/search.cgi?panel=detail&d01=887