Autumn in Yamagata is one of the most fascinating seasons in Tohoku, when the mountains are filled with red and gold maples. Do you want to enjoy "maple viewing, hot springs and local cuisine" in one package? The Takamiya Hotel Group, a 300-year-old onsen brand, is on your list. This article takes the travel routes of Taiwanese visitors to Japan as its starting point, taking you on the Zao Ropeway, strolling through Dokko Numa, and enjoying the maple on the Kamikawa River boat tour, as well as highlighting a total of 11 hot springs lodges under the Takamiya umbrella, which are suitable for parents and children as well as couples, and for hot springs enthusiasts and gourmets alike.

Travel Keywords:Yamagata Autumn Leaves, Zao Onsen, Onsen Ryokan, Takamiya, Minamikawa River, Boat Tour, Robin's Bento, Zao Cable Car, Yamagata Cow, Yonezawa Cow

※Traffic hours and business information in the text may be adjusted according to the season, so please refer to the official website of each facility before departure.

Red Leaves Waiting for Guests #1｜Crossing the "Maple Red Sea" by cable car: Zao's Sky Tour

At Yamagata Bounty Maple.Hidden King Cable Car (ロープウェイ)It is a no-fail choice. In autumn, the Zao Lianfeng Peak is colored with scarlet, gold and orange, spreading along the mountain ridge like a "sea of red leaves".

Zao Ropeway (蔵王ロープウェイ／Zao Ropeway)

The route is divided into two segments: from "TheKurakouzanroku Station"Take a ride toShizuna Kogen Station"Yes.Foothill Lineand from "Shukubo Kogen Station" to the 1,661m high point of the "Shukubo Kogen Station", the "Shukubo Kogen Station" and the "Shukubo Kogen Station" are the most popular places to visit.Jizokusendo Station"Yes.Peak LineIt is a great place to take photos and look around. The view from the high ground is wide, and on a clear day you can meet the sea of clouds. Along the way, there are viewing platforms and eating and drinking spaces, which are suitable for taking pictures and watching slowly.

Zao Chuo Ropeway (蔵王中央ロープウェイ／Zao Chuo Ropeway)

From the heart of Fountain Street.Onsen Station"Starting from the top of the hill.Tottori Station"It takes about 8 minutes to reach the summit. In the fall, a fresh breeze from the plateau makes it possible to enjoy a relaxing walk on the plateau after climbing to the top.

Recommended Trail Scenic Spot: Dokko Numa (ドッコ沼／Dokko Numa)

A 15-minute walk from Tottori Station, Dokobanuma, a lake with an elevation of about 1,260 meters, looks like a blue-green jewel hidden in the forest. When there is no wind, the surface of the lake looks like a mirror, the red leaves of the mountains are reflected in the water, and the light and shadow are flickering on the surface of the water, which makes it a great place to take pictures.

Top 7 hotels with stunning views｜Autumn colors in the window while bathing in the soup

Fukama-so Takamiya (Fukama-so Takamiya/Miyamaso Takamiya)

Founded more than 300 years ago, this is a symbolic old shop of Zao Onsen. The museum retains its rustic Japanese wooden structure andSource 100% ReleaseIn the fall, you can enjoy a close-up view of the maple blossoms in the open-air baths.

address：54, Kurao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken
transportation：Approx. a 15-minute walk from the Kuraoi Chuo Lopu Onsen Station.

Lucent Takamiya (名湯リゾート ルーセントタカミヤ／Lucent Takamiya)

Located next to the Onsen Station of the Central Tramway, the hotel is very convenient for transportation. The hot springs are equipped with a full range of bathtubs, cypress baths, and dry saunas, as well as paid private baths, so couples and families can enjoy a private soak.

addressKurao温泉942, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken

Meitoya SOU

The wood-colored space creates a warm atmosphere, and there are a variety of baths, including an open-air rock bath and a kama-yu (hot spring bath) dug out of Zao stone. The baths are non-smoking and colorful yukatas are available, so women are welcome. A 10-minute walk away is the famous "Big Open-air Bath".

address：48 Kurao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken

Hotel Jurin (ホテルジュリン／Hotel Jurin)

The main theme of the resort is "living in the forest". The baths for men and women are "Forest no Yu," "Mountain Antelope no Yu," and "Akiba no Yu," a bath made of cypress and stone, all of which have milky white broth. For dinner, we recommend the Autumn Buffet, where you can enjoy all the flavors of Yamagata at once.

address：814 Kurao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken

Takamiya Rurikura Resort (たかみや瑠璃倶楽リゾーート／Takamiya Rurikura Resort)

The hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Zao Ropeway "Zao Sanroku Station". The hotel is located on a high platform with a view of Mt. Zao and the Asahi mountain range, and the restaurant's large windows offer the best view of the autumn colors.

addressKurao温泉三度川 1118-7, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken

ONSEN & STAY OAKHILL (Hotel Oakhill)

In September 2024, it was renovated and reopened. With a fireplace in the lobby, the setting is like an overseas mountain lodge. Nestled in the hills of Mizunara's native forest, it is quiet at night, perfect for travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

addressKurao温泉756,Yamagata,Yamagata-shi,Yamagata

BED'n ONSEN HAMMOND (Hammond/Hammond)

It's about a 5-minute walk from Onsen-dori. The signature "hot spring bath made of logs" is filled with the aroma of warm wood, giving you the ultimate sense of healing. This is a budget-friendly option for those who want to experience Zao's hot springs in a relaxing way.

addressKurao温泉上ノ代94-1，Yamagata-shi,Yamagata,Yamagata

Red Leaves for Guests #2｜Let's give your ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and body to the landscape：Most Kawakami Boat Trip

Would you like to embrace the autumn leaves in the most relaxing way? DownstreamJokokokyo Gorge Basho Line Sightseeing (Jokokokyo Gorge Basho Line Sightseeing/Basho Line Kankō)It's a great way to play. In the second half of October to early November of every year is the peak season for viewing the maples in the Upper Gorge. Once on board the boat, you will be surrounded by the colorful mountains on both sides of the river, with the song of the boat in your ears, and the smell of the autumn wind and the river at the tip of your nose, which opens up all your five senses.

Stay at Riverside and pack the Kamikawa from your room.

Mogamigawa Bettei Red (Mogamigawa Bettei Red/Mogamigawa Bettei BENI)

It is located in the middle of the upper most gorge, near the boat landing site at the end of the boat trip.All rooms face the uppermost riverThe open-air bath overlooks the river. On a cool autumn night, the onsen is the ultimate luxury, accompanied by the autumn leaves.

addressApplications：3058 Furukuchi, Tosawa-mura, Mogami-gun, Yamagata

Takamiya Beidi Kuon (Takamiya Beidi Kuon/Kuon)

Located in the center of a town that has been open for more than 1,300 years.Onami Onsen (Atsumi Onsen/Atsumi)At the entrance, the interior of the restaurant is presented in a modern Japanese style. Japanese seafood flavors are the mainstay of the cuisine, with the signature "sea bream head fritters" and "Shonai pork" being the most popular, and you can also enjoy a view of the maple landscape in the large open-air bath of "Izumi".

addressAddress：83-3 Yunokajiri, Yunokai-aza, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata

Red Leaf Hospitality #3｜Autumn of Abundance and Brewing: Perfect Pairing of Local Wines and Local Meals

In addition to the popularity of sakeKamiyama (Kaminoyama)Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, it is very suitable for viticulture, and in recent years, there are many wineries where you can drink local wines that match perfectly with Japanese food and are refreshing and clean. PutKamiyama Wine + Yamagata Lenten CuisineServe it up for the happiest of fall tablescapes.

Mikiya Sansorai (Mikiya Sansorai/Sansorai)

Surrounded by the Tibetan King's peaks and rice paddies, this bungalow-style pavilion specializes in "uphill wine" meals. You can choose to match your meal according to the time of the year, and the presentation of vegetables from small farmers to "Tibetan King Beef" allows the taste buds to go all the way from appetizers, to stews, to barbecues, and the climax is overlapping.

address：283 Takamatsu, Kamiyama City, Yamagata Prefecture

Yudu Toshiki-an Yamakawa (Yudu Toshiki-an Yamakawa/Yamakawa)

It is located in the area where Ono Komachi is said to have started the soup.Onogawa OnsenThe cuisine is based on local ingredients.Yonezawa CowBoth the shabu-shabu (shabu-shabu hot pot) and the "Onyu Sukiyaki" (hot pot) are popular. Inside the museum, you can still see the traditional "yumomi" ceremony performed by the "yumori", so fans of onsen culture will not want to miss this event.

addressAddress：2436 Onogawa-machi,Yonezawa-shi,Yamagata

Meitouichimen Takamiya｜Group Information and Useful Links

Head Office AddressKurao温泉三度川 1118-7, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken

• Official website (Takamiya Hotel Group): Check availability and programs for each hotel.
• Zao Sightseeing Information：Check cable car operation, trails, weather and foliage fronts.

Traveler's Notes｜Tips for Matching Your Itinerary and Reservations

• Best time slot:The period for viewing the maples in Zao and the Uppermost Gorge falls in late October to early November, with the higher altitude areas turning red earlier.
• Cable car and boat tours:High Season RecommendationsCheck the schedule and weather firstIf you want to take photos to avoid the crowds, consider the weekday or early morning shift.
• Accommodation Tips:For hot springs, try Fukasanso Takamiya or Rusente Takamiya; for river views, try Mogamigawa Bekki Red. For foodies, add "Kuzuno," "Senso Rai," and "Yamakawa" to your list.
• Self-drive & public transportation:Yamagata downtown to Zao Onsen is easily accessible by bus. If you plan to move horizontally from Kaminoyama to Shonai to Yonezawa, you can drive more flexibly.

Conclusion

By combining cable cars, trails, boat tours, and hot spring inns into an "Autumn Yamagata Route," you'll find that the right way to start autumn in this area is to see the red leaves from Takamiya's yuyoku (soup house), listen to the sound of the wind from a boat on the Mikawa River, and enjoy the flavors of the mountains and the sea at the dinner table. Now, let's take Yamagata's autumn colors into your itinerary!