Go to Yahiko Park, a premier spot for autumn foliage viewing!

Yahiko Park in Niigata is one of the most popular autumn foliage viewing spots in Japan.Only two hours by bullet train from Tokyo, it is an excellent opportunity to step away from the cities and experience visiting a small village in the countryside of Japan.Enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Yahiko Park that can only be seen during this season, and relax in a hot spring (onsen) afterwards.<div

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Yahiko, Niigata; a small village with lush nature

Located in central Niigata prefecture, lying on the south of Mt. Yahiko, Yahiko is a small onsen village. It is famous for both Yahiko Shrine, one of Japan’s most sacred and significant shrines and popular “power spot” for good fortune in Niigata, and Yahiko Park’s autumn foliage. Yahiko Park is a huge public park with waterfalls, mountain streams, tunnels, and lots of maple trees and beautiful flowers everywhere. It is one of the most popular destinations for autumn foliage viewing. A one-minute walk from Yahiko station, the park can be accessed easily. Visitors can enjoy the foliage until 9:30 PM at night; the park offers night viewing, meaning they light up the park so that visitors can view the maple trees beautifully in the dark.

Autumn Foliage Viewing- a traditional Japanese autumn activity

Although slightly different from year to year, autumn foliage in Japan typically starts in mid-September in Hokkaido, gradually spreading south and lasts for about 20 to 25 days. In Niigata it usually starts in the end of October and ends in mid November. Viewing autumn foliage is a traditional activity that many Japanese people look forward to, and during this season, many people plan outings to visit great foliage spots in the country. Yahiko Park is one of those premier spots where one can expect a stunning view. The park is full of Japanese maple trees, a tree that literally represents the autumn foliage as the tree’s kanji 　"Momizi"　is the same kanji used to describe autumn foliage. Inside Yahiko Park, there is an area called the momijidani (Japanese maple tree valley), where there are lots of Japanese maple trees and a bridge that was built in image of an old red wooden bridge. During autumn foliage season, the majority of the view turns red. This is the most popular spot in the park, but there are several other stunning foliage spots within the park that many enjoy.

Stunning night view of the Japanese maple tree

Yahiko Park lights up the beautiful scenery at night. Why not enjoy the night view of the park for a dreamy experience then get into Yahiko’s onsen (hot spring) afterwards to enjoy a full day of relaxation?

How to visit?

Tokyo to Niigata is about 2 hours by bullet train. To reach Yahiko Village by train, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo. Get off at Tsubame-sanjo Station and transfer to the JR Yahiko Line. Alternatively, travel from Niigata Station via the Echigo and Yahiko line, changing at Yoshida Station.

Address:
667-1 Yahiko, Nishikanbara, Niigata (Yahiko Park)
Tel：+81-(0)256-94-3154 (Yahiko Park)