Fukushima Travel – Autumn Colors of Mount Adatara(2)

High above the city of Nihonmatsu in Fukushima Prefecture rises Mt. Adatara, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and a beloved symbol of the region. Every October, the mountain transforms into a masterpiece of autumn color — a breathtaking blend of scarlet maples, golden birches, and deep green evergreens, stretching across the ridges like a living painting.

To begin your journey, take the Adatara Ropeway from the Okudake Onsen area. The gondola carries you in just ten minutes to Yakushidake Panorama Park, where the entire mountain range bursts into vivid color. This is also the place where you can gaze upon the so-called “Hontono Sora,” the “True Sky” celebrated in the poetry of Kotaro Takamura’s Chieko-sho. The clear blue expanse above Adatara seems endless, inspiring countless visitors each autumn.

From Yakushidake, it’s about a 1.5-hour hike to the summit. The trail winds gently through forests glowing with red and gold leaves, and the air is filled with the earthy scent of autumn. As you climb higher, wide panoramas open up — the city of Nihonmatsu to the south, Fukushima City to the north, and a sea of mountains rolling away toward the horizon.

At the summit, a short ten-minute walk along the ridge brings you to Numa-no-Taira, the vast crater left by ancient volcanic activity. Its pale, barren surface contrasts dramatically with the colorful slopes around it — a surreal, almost lunar landscape that reminds visitors of nature’s power and beauty.

For the descent, many hikers choose the Kurogane Hut route, where you can see a completely different face of Adatara. This trail reveals steep mountain walls draped in fiery autumn foliage — a view that only those who walk can witness.

After your descent, nothing feels better than a soak in the hot springs of Okudake-no-Yu, located right by the ropeway station. This natural onsen, flowing directly from the source, offers open-air baths with views of the mountain you’ve just climbed. Surrounded by crisp mountain air and the scent of the forest, it’s the perfect way to ease tired muscles and end your adventure on a peaceful note.

Whether you ride the ropeway for the panorama or take on the challenge of reaching the summit, Mt. Adatara promises one of the most unforgettable autumn experiences in all of Japan.

(Photos taken on October 17, 2025)

https://www.adatara-resort.com/green/express.stm