Gunma Autumn Foliage: Mt. Tanigawa, Fukiware Falls & Mt. Akagi

Autumn Foliage in Gunma

When the Japanese archipelago turns to autumn colors, Gunma Prefecture's mountains reveal a particularly vivid and dramatic character. The extraordinary gradations of color produced by the region's varied elevations — reds, oranges, and yellows layered one over another across entire mountainsides — create a landscape that resembles a vast living painting. Mt. Tanigawadake, Fukiware Falls, Mt. Akagi — each has its own distinct personality as an autumn stage, drawing visitors from across Japan every year.

The peak season runs roughly from early October through late November. Autumn color begins at the higher elevations of Mt. Tanigawadake as early as early October, then descends progressively through Mt. Akagi and Fukiware Falls, meaning that by staggering visits across the season, you can enjoy a "leaf-hopping journey" between multiple spots — one of the distinctive pleasures of autumn travel in Gunma.

There is one more reason why a Gunma autumn journey is truly special: every major foliage spot in the prefecture is located near a famous hot spring. To drink in the glory of autumn foliage and then warm yourself from the inside out in a mountain hot spring afterward — this golden combination is the greatest attraction of Gunma in autumn. Let the multicolored mountains and the drifting steam of the onsen call you to an unforgettable autumn journey.

Mt. Tanigawadake (Tanigawadake)

At 1,977 meters above sea level, Mt. Tanigawadake — selected as one of Japan's One Hundred Famous Mountains — offers autumn foliage of overwhelming scale and grandeur. The ropeway carries you in minutes to the Tenjindaira plateau (approximately 1,300 meters), where the panoramic view over a vast carpet of autumn color stretching to the horizon is one of the most breathtaking sights in all of Kanto.

Best Season

At the summit level, autumn color typically begins in early to mid-October. The best time to see the entire mountain in full color, from the high alpine ridges down through the middle slopes visible from the ropeway, is generally mid-October to late October.

Highlights

• Ropeway Panoramic View: The gondola ride from Tenjin (base station) to Tenjindaira takes approximately 15 minutes and provides continuous views over the autumn-colored slopes of the massif. On clear days, the Minakami Basin and surrounding mountain ranges are visible in the far distance.
• Tenjindaira Boardwalk: A short walking trail from the summit station traverses the high plateau among dwarf pines and alpine vegetation, offering close-up views of the autumn tundra colors and sweeping panoramas in all directions.
• Minakami Onsen: At the foot of the mountain, the Minakami Onsen district offers a wide range of hot spring baths, from large resort hotels to intimate traditional inns. Soaking in an outdoor hot spring bath with a view of the autumn mountains is pure luxury.

Access

The Tanigawadake Ropeway base station is approximately a 20-minute walk (about 1.5 km) from JR Joetsu Line Doai Station — the official site notes the pavement is narrow, so take care (approximately 2 hours from JR Shinjuku Station on the JR special express). By car, approximately 2 hours from central Tokyo via the Kan-etsu Expressway (Minakami IC).

Fukiware Falls (Fukiware no Taki)

Known as the "Niagara of the Orient," Fukiware Falls is one of Japan's most spectacular waterfalls — not because of its height, but because of its extraordinary width. The Katashina River plunges over a wide basalt ledge approximately 7 meters high and 30 meters wide, creating a curtain of white water of remarkable power and beauty. When the surrounding forests turn to red and gold in mid-autumn, the contrast between the white water and the vivid foliage creates a scene of exceptional photographic drama.

Best Season

The peak foliage period at Fukiware Falls is typically late October to early November. The maples and other deciduous trees growing on the cliffs immediately above and around the falls turn particularly vivid shades of crimson and orange, creating the most dramatic combination of waterfall and autumn color.

Highlights

• Upper Viewing Platform: A platform on the south bank provides a direct frontal view of the full width of the falls. This is the classic viewpoint for photography, particularly effective in afternoon light when the sun is behind the photographer.
• Streamside Trail: A walking trail along the riverbank above and below the falls allows you to explore the gorge and experience the roar of the water up close.
• Katashina Village: The small village near the falls offers traditional mountain food — particularly local soba noodles and konnyaku (konjac) dishes — at a handful of rustic restaurants and rest houses.

Access

Fukiware Falls is approximately 30 minutes by car from Numata IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. Public transport involves taking the Joetsu Line to Numata Station and then a local bus (about 40 minutes) to the falls.

Mt. Akagi (Akagiyama)

Mt. Akagi is a large volcanic massif that dominates the central Kanto Plain, rising to 1,828 meters at its highest point. Its broad, gently rolling summit plateau is home to two volcanic lakes — Onuma and Konuma — whose dark surfaces mirror the surrounding autumn foliage in spectacular fashion. The combination of the calm lake reflections and the blazing autumn color on the surrounding ridge is one of the most photogenic scenes in all of Gunma.

Best Season

The summit plateau of Mt. Akagi typically reaches peak color in mid to late October, a week or two later than the higher elevations of Mt. Tanigawadake. The lower slopes around the Akagi road approach reach their best color in early November.

Highlights

• Onuma Lake Reflections: On calm, windless mornings, the surface of Onuma Lake becomes a perfect mirror for the surrounding autumn foliage. Early morning is far and away the best time for reflection photography here.
• Kakumanbuchi: A scenic highland marsh at the edge of the plateau, ringed by autumn-colored vegetation and wooden boardwalks. Reachable via a short trail from the Onuma lakeshore.
• Ikaho Onsen: Located on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Akagi, Ikaho Onsen is one of Gunma's most famous hot spring resorts, known for its stepped shopping street (Ishidan-dori) lined with traditional inns and souvenir shops. A wonderful place to spend the evening after a day of autumn leaf viewing.

Access

Mt. Akagi's summit plateau is approximately 40 minutes by car from the Maebashi IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. Buses operate from Maebashi Station (JR Ryomo Line) to the Akagiyama summit area, taking approximately 1.5 hours.

Practical Information for the Autumn Foliage Season (Based on Official Announcements)

Between 2025 and 2026, Gunma's foliage spots have seen major changes in names, facilities, and transport. Visitors relying on old information will run into a number of surprises on the ground, so the following is based on official announcements.

① Tanigawadake Ropeway Is Now "Tanigawadake Joch by Hoshino Resorts"

The name has changed. Operations have transferred to Hoshino Resorts, and the official website has moved to tanigawadake-joch.com. The old domain's sub-pages have all been removed, so look for the latest information on the new official site.

Operating details (as stated on the official site)

• Season: 18 April–15 November 2026 (scheduled)
• Operating hours: Weekdays 08:00–17:00 / Weekends and public holidays 07:00–17:00
• Last upbound: Ropeway 16:30 / Lift 16:00
• Journey time: approximately 15 minutes one way (minimum 7 minutes); continuous operation at roughly 3-minute intervals
• Closure: two annual maintenance shutdowns in April and November; no closures May–October

Fares (revised 1 December 2025)

Return tickets are valid for 4 days from the date of purchase. Group discounts are available for 30 or more people; disability-card discounts are also available (for Disability Certificate Class 1, one accompanying carer is also eligible).

Car-park prices rise during the foliage season — important to note

The multi-storey car park holds approximately 700 vehicles. During the normal green season the charges are ¥500 for floors 1–5 and ¥800 for floor 6, but from 19 September to 3 November the charges rise to ¥1,000 for floors 1–5 and ¥1,200 for floor 6. Payment is in cash only, made to an attendant on entry — cards are not accepted. EV charging (200V / 6 kW) is available at 5 points, accessible 24 hours.

At night, only floor 1 of the multi-storey car park is open (approximately 40 spaces), but the official site explicitly states: "During busy periods (Obon, late September to early November, etc.) the car park may be closed from 18:00 to 07:00" and "On peak days during the foliage season, overnight entry may be refused on specific dates." Planning to arrive the night before and sleep in your car is not advisable. The site also states clearly: "Setting up tents or using gas burners or other open flames inside the car park is strictly prohibited" (offenders will be asked to leave immediately).

Note also that the official site itself gives conflicting figures of "2.2 m" and "2.1 m" for the height restriction, and guidance on where tall vehicles should park is also inconsistent. If you are driving a tall vehicle, please call ahead to confirm before setting out.

The summit restaurant

"View Terrace Tenjin" operates during the 19 September–15 November period: drinks 09:00–16:00 / desserts from around 10:00 to around 15:00 / meals 11:00–15:00 (last orders). Hours are shorter in earlier parts of the season, so during the foliage period you can enjoy a relatively relaxed meal.

② Ichinokurasawa: Full Closure from 5 November 2026

National Route 291 (from below the Tanigawadake Mountaineering Guidance Centre to Ichinokurasawa, approximately 3 km) — the approach to Ichinokurasawa, another famous spot for Tanigawadake foliage — is closed to private vehicles year-round (bicycles, emergency vehicles, and management vehicles are exempt). Getting there means walking, cycling, or taking the electric guided bus described below.

What makes 2026 decisively different from previous years: according to an announcement by the Minakami Town Tourism Association, from Thursday 5 November 2026 the road will be completely closed to all users — pedestrians included — due to waterway repair work on the Machiga-sawa stream that requires large machinery. For practical purposes, the 2026 foliage season at Ichinokurasawa ends on 4 November. Do not rely on older articles stating "walkable through mid-November."

Electric guided bus (2026)

• Service: every day from Saturday 23 May to Saturday 31 October 2026 — note the earlier-than-usual end date
• The ride is free, but a guide fee of ¥500 per person, one way, is required
• From 2026, junior-high-school students are also charged (free only for primary-school Year 6 and under)
• No advance booking or seat reservation; first come, first served
• Departs from and returns to Tanigawadake Mountaineering Resource Museum
• The midday service, previously around noon, has been discontinued from 2026
• Enquiries: Ichinokurasawa Road Appropriate Use Promotion Council (within Minakami Town Hall Tourism and Commerce Division) — TEL 0278-25-5028

For visitors requiring nursing care, a care taxi can travel all the way to Ichinokurasawa (charged service; Universal General Planning — TEL 0278-50-9011).

Rental bicycles (operated by Tanigawadake Joch): 23 May–4 November 2026, 09:00–16:30 (final return), ¥2,000 for 90 minutes. Junior high school age and above (those under 145 cm tall or over 90 kg are not eligible). Advance booking via a dedicated website required by 11:00 the previous day. Distance: approximately 3.3 km, approximately 20 minutes. The service ends the day before the 5 November closure begins.

Typical peak periods by elevation (Minakami Town Tourism Association guidelines)

③ Mt. Akagi: The Bus Terminus Changes on 19 September 2026

Another change that will confuse anyone relying on old information.

• The Gunma Prefectural Akagi Park Visitor Centre closed on 31 March 2025.
• The successor facility, "Snow Peak Land Station Akagi," opens on Saturday 19 September 2026.
• Accordingly, the Kan-etsu Kotsu bus terminus changes: "Akagi Hiroba-mae" up to 18 September, then "Snow Peak Land Station Akagi" from 19 September onwards.
• On the same date, the "Kojiri Kosei Danchi Iriguchi" stop is renamed "Numaziri Campsite Entrance."

This means the entire 2026 foliage season falls after the new facility and new bus-stop names are in place. Directions referring to "Akagi Visitor Centre" are no longer valid.

The direct bus runs on weekends and public holidays only

• The direct bus from Maebashi Station → Fujimi Onsen → Mt. Akagi runs on weekends and public holidays only. On weekdays, a change at Fujimi Onsen is required.
• The summer timetable runs 1 April–30 November. Buses depart from stop 6 at Maebashi Station North Exit.
• Payment: cash or transit IC card (on-board top-up accepts ¥1,000 notes only; auto top-up not supported).
• Free pass (revised 1 April 2026): Maebashi Station–Mt. Akagi — adult ¥3,750 / child ¥1,880; Fujimi Onsen–Mt. Akagi — adult ¥2,400 / child ¥1,200. Paper tickets are no longer sold; purchase is only through the Jorudan app "Transit."

On-the-ground information

• Maebashi Tourism Convention Association official site: typical foliage period around Lake Onuma: mid-October
• 2025 actuals (announced by the same association on 29 October): the Lake Onuma lakeside area was at peak; the area near Himeyuri Car Park would peak around 1–3 November. "The summit area is approximately 10°C colder than the city centre."
• Kakumanbuchi: elevation 1,360 m, circumference approx. 1 km. New boardwalk completed in autumn 2024. The section from the Visitor Centre entrance to the observation deck is barrier-free and accessible by wheelchair. The estimated circuit time is given as 30 minutes by Gunma Prefecture and approximately 40 minutes by the Maebashi Tourism Convention Association.
• Lake Onuma: elevation 1,340 m, circumference 4 km, maximum depth 19 m, approximately 60 minutes for a full circuit.
• The Kitsutsukibashi Bridge over Lake Onuma, which had been closed since 2019 for replacement works, reopened on 16 December 2025. Older information stating "cannot be crossed" is out of date — it is now open.
• The public toilet at Kakumanbuchi is currently closed (as of 1 September 2026 — closed due to water-pipe damage and the opening of the new facility). Please use facilities before you arrive.
• Mt. Akagi General Tourist Information Centre (TEL: 027-287-8061): open mid-April to mid-November.
• No autumn foliage illumination is listed on any official source. (The Mt. Akagi lantern festival is a summer event held in August.)

Winter road closures do not affect the foliage season: Prefectural Road 16 (Ogo-Akagi Line) was closed from 16 December 2025, and Prefectural Road 251 (Numata-Akagi Line) from 5 January 2026 (2025 actuals). Both roads are open during the foliage season. However, the 2026–27 winter dates have not yet been announced.

④ Fukiware Falls: Know the Three Types of Car Park

The following is based on the Numata City official website.

• Peak: typically late October to early November (Numata City's "typically" wording)
• Admission: free
• Trail circuit: approximately 1 hour
• Winter closure: mid-December to late March. The trail is closed after dark (= no illumination)

Safety (closely following the original wording from the Numata City official site): The trail has no railings, and the section from Masutobinotaki Falls to Fukiware Falls is narrow and becomes slippery in rain. The city explicitly states: "Fatal accidents involving falls have occurred here in the past. Do not cross the white lines under any circumstances." The edge of the falls is genuinely dangerous.

How to identify the car-park types

Numata City describes the surrounding private car parks in three categories:

1. Free — restaurants and some souvenir shops 2. Paid — broadly ¥500 for ordinary vehicles / ¥100 for motorcycles (check the sign) 3. Car parks offering goods vouchers in lieu of a fee — no "free" or "paid" sign; the owner sells goods vouchers as the equivalent of a parking charge, broadly ¥500–¥1,000 for ordinary vehicles

If you park in a lot that does not display "free," you may later be asked to buy goods vouchers. The city-managed car park is on the right-hand side of the traffic lights just before Fukiware Falls when approaching from Numata IC; the Numata City Tourism Association describes it as "a free car park (approx. 10 spaces) on the right side of the traffic lights before Fukiware Bridge." Space is limited, so arriving early is essential.

The trail may be closed due to high water: On Thursday 27 August 2026, flooding caused a complete closure of the trail; it was reopened on 28 August. The Numata City Tourism Association has stated: "Future closures due to weather conditions are possible." After prolonged rain, always check the Numata City Tourism Association's notices before setting out.

Numata City one-day free bus pass (Kan-etsu Kotsu / from 1 April 2026): Numata Station–Fukiware Falls ¥2,200 / Jomo-Kogen Station–Numata Station–Fukiware Falls ¥3,200.

⑤ Bear Precautions Are Essential for Autumn Trips in Gunma

According to Gunma Prefecture's Asian black bear information (updated 19 August 2026), in fiscal year 2026 (Reiwa 8) there were 2 incidents of human injury by 13 August (29 June: a hiker near the summit of Mt. Narukami in Kiryu City; 13 August: an angler in Midori City). Bear sightings/encounters by month: April 29, May 113, June 215, July 171.

And the foliage season is the most dangerous period. In fiscal year 2025, October alone accounted for 519 of the 1,398 sightings recorded for the year — by far the highest monthly total — and that same October saw a concentration of injuries in Minakami Town and Numata City (7 October: inside a supermarket in Onda-cho, Numata City; 13 October: Shimotsu, Minakami Town; 18 October: Haba / Takahiyuke, Minakami Town; and others). These are exactly the areas and the season this article covers.

The official FAQ for Tanigawadake Joch states: "The area around Tanigawadake is bear habitat. While we take safety measures, guests planning to hike or trek should carry a bear bell or other noise-making device." The Gunma Prefectural Akagi Park also has a "bear sighting map" PDF available (updated 25 August 2026).

Gunma Prefecture's advice: carry a bear bell, radio, or other noise-making device / carry bear-deterrent spray / avoid moving early in the morning or at dusk / avoid going alone / turn back if you find fresh droppings or footprints. If you spot a bear, report it to the Gunma Prefecture Nature Conservation Division (027-226-2877).

Checklist Before You Go

• [ ] The official Tanigawadake website is tanigawadake-joch.com (sub-pages of the old domain have been removed)
• [ ] Tanigawadake car park: busy-season prices 19 September–3 November (floors 1–5: ¥1,000) / cash only
• [ ] Tall vehicles: confirm parking availability by phone in advance
• [ ] Do not plan to sleep overnight in the car park (may close 18:00–07:00 during busy periods)
• [ ] Ichinokurasawa is closed to pedestrians from 5 November 2026. Visit by 4 November.
• [ ] Electric guided bus: runs until 31 October / guide fee ¥500 one way / no reservation, first come first served
• [ ] Mt. Akagi bus terminus: "Snow Peak Land Station Akagi" from 19 September
• [ ] Mt. Akagi direct bus: weekends and public holidays only. Weekdays require a change at Fujimi Onsen.
• [ ] Free pass: purchase via the Jorudan app only (paper tickets discontinued)
• [ ] Kakumanbuchi public toilet is closed. Use facilities before you arrive.
• [ ] Fukiware Falls: do not cross the white lines (fatal falls have occurred in the past)
• [ ] Fukiware Falls car parks come in three types — "free," "paid," and "goods-voucher." Check the sign.
• [ ] After rain, check the Numata City Tourism Association's notices for trail closures.
• [ ] Bear bells are essential. Injuries have been recorded in Minakami Town and Numata City specifically in October.
• [ ] Near the summit, temperatures are approximately 10°C lower than in the city. Pack an extra layer.

Information Sources

This section is based on official announcements (all as of 6 September 2026) from: Tanigawadake Joch by Hoshino Resorts official website (access / FAQ / facility information / rental bicycles); Minakami Town Tourism Association; Numata City; Numata City Tourism Association; Gunma Prefecture (Prefectural Akagi Park / winter road closures / Asian black bear information); Maebashi Tourism Convention Association; and Kan-etsu Kotsu.

Official foliage forecasts for autumn 2026 have not yet been published for any of the three spots. In addition, the departure times for the electric guided bus, the number of services and one-way fare for the Mt. Akagi direct bus, and the capacities and charges for the various car parks around Lake Onuma are published only in PDF or image format, or are not stated at all — and are therefore not included in this article. Please check the latest information on each official website or by telephone before setting out.