REPORT

After driving just over 10 minutes along Prefectural Route 66 from Shiga Kogen’s Kumanoyu area, I arrived in YAMABOKU, where the autumn colors are now at their peak (pictured). There I spoke with a photographer visiting from within Nagano Prefecture, who told me, “I originally came to photograph birds, but the scenery was so breathtaking that I switched to a wide-angle lens instead.” Incidentally, YAMABOKU—famous as a powder paradise with 70% of its slopes left ungroomed—offers a special October-only advance discount lift ticket deal, with Adult 1-Day Lift Tickets for just JPY2,500, an unbeatable price.
[YAMABOKU Wild Snowpark]

At YAMABOKU, which sits at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, the temperature was just 3°C at 7:00 a.m. As such, I bundled up in a thick jacket while out taking photos for my report, yet still felt the chill in the air. When the morning sun illuminated the golden leaves of keyaki (zelkova), beech, and birch trees, the mountainside glowed with breathtaking beauty (pictured).
[Yamada Bokujo]

Following the Matsukawa Valley down from YAMABOKU through Shichimi Onsen, Goshiki Onsen, and Takinoyu, I reached Kaminari Falls (pictured), where the foliage was about halfway to its peak. A participant on a bus tour from Tokyo told me, “The day before yesterday we enjoyed the autumn leaves in Okutadami, and yesterday in Naeba. The colors here are beautiful too—and being able to walk behind the waterfall is both thrilling and unforgettable!”
[Kaminari-daki Falls]

As mentioned earlier, Takinoyu is just one of several renowned hot springs in the area. The “Oyu” public bath in Yamada Onsen—a historic hot spring with over 200 years of history—also features 100% natural free-flowing spring water (pictured). After the visit, I warmed up my feet in the free footbath (pictured, right), then stopped by the Shinshu Takayama Anti-Aging Spa & Wine Center, where the sweet aroma of freshly picked apples filled the air.
[Yamada Onsen Oyu]

※県道66号線「高山村ゲート～志賀高原笠岳ゲート」間は11/7（金）15時から冬季閉鎖（通行止め）となります。
※県道66号線沿い（松川渓谷）には奥山田温泉、七味温泉、五色温泉、松川渓谷温泉、山田温泉、蕨温泉、子安温泉と温泉地が点在し、日帰り温泉施設だけでなく心を整える宿 風景館 など魅力的な温泉宿も15軒ほどあります。

*Please note that Prefectural Route 66 between the Takayama Village Gate and Shiga Kogen Kasadake Gate will be closed for the winter season starting at 3:00 p.m. on 11/7 (Fri.).
※ Along Prefectural Route 66 in the Matsukawa Valley, you’ll find a string of hot spring areas including Okuyamada, Shichimi, Goshiki, Matsukawa Keikoku, Yamada, Warabi, and Koyasu. In addition to day-use baths, there are around 15 charming inns such as Fukeikan, a tranquil retreat perfect for relaxing the body and mind.

　
[Matsukawa Valley]
*Location: Yamada Onsen, Okuyamada, Takayama Village, Kamitakai District, Nagano Prefecture
*Open: Year-round

　
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs.
　
reported by Snownavi