Where to photograph autumn colours,
planned by altitude

This guide is for photographers who want to shoot autumn colours in Takayama village. It lines up four places, Takai Bridge, Kaminari Falls, Yataki Falls and Yamada Ranch, by altitude and by the dates the colour usually peaks.

In Takayama village the peak shifts a lot with altitude. In the tourism association's autumn feature, the colour peaks around 5 October at Mount Kasa and the Kenashi and Manza passes at 2,000m, and around 25 October at Yamada Onsen at 900m. That is about twenty days apart in one village.

For the full village timetable, see Autumn colours in the Matsukawa Gorge. This guide keeps to the four photography spots, and to when and where to stand.

Peak dates shift twenty days with altitude

Autumn photography here is easiest to plan by altitude. The higher places turn first, and the lower places turn last.

In the tourism association's autumn feature the peak follows the altitude. Yamada Ranch at 1,500m peaks around 10 October, Kaminari Falls at 1,100m and Yataki Falls at 1,000m around 20 October, and Yamada Onsen at 900m around 25 October.

The table below lists the four photography spots from high to low. Working in this order, you can follow the colour as it comes down the slopes.

Takai Bridge, the red bridge over the gorge

The tourism association describes Takai Bridge as the red bridge over the Matsukawa Gorge. The present span was completed in 1957.

The prefecture's tourism site gives late October for the colour here. The red bridge and the coloured gorge fit into a single frame.

There is parking for fifteen cars near the bridge. The Mai no Michi walking path starts at the foot of the bridge. The village gives this path as 1.3km, running from the foot of Takai Bridge at Yamada Onsen to the Yakushido hall, so you can look for your spot as you walk.

Kaminari Falls, shot from behind the water

The tourism association describes Kaminari Falls as an about 30m drop that you can walk behind. You can shoot the water from behind the fall, and it is free to visit.

Kaminari Falls sits at 1,100m and usually peaks around 20 October. It is about fifteen minutes by car from the ryokan.

The two official sources differ on parking: the tourism association gives five spaces plus a little more room, while the prefecture's tourism site gives ten. For how to walk behind the fall, see Kaminari Falls.

Yataki Falls, a 180m drop from the platform

The tourism association gives Yataki Falls a drop of about 180m over eight pools. The long fall can be taken in from above.

Yataki Falls sits at 1,000m and usually peaks around 20 October. There is parking for thirteen cars, ten minutes by car from Yamada Onsen.

To shoot the fall head-on, start from the viewing platform. For the view from there, see Yataki Falls and its viewing platform.

Yamada Ranch at 1,500m turns first

Yamada Ranch sits at 1,500m and turns first of the four spots. In the tourism association's feature it usually peaks around 10 October.

When you want the higher ground, start the day at Yamada Ranch. It is about fifteen minutes by car from the ryokan.

For the ranch colour and the highland view, see Yamada Ranch.

A day-use bath and sauna between shoots

Between shoots you can warm up in the day-use bath at MATSUKAWAKAN. Day-use bathing runs from 11:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:30, at 650 yen per person, and no reservation is needed. Prices are subject to change; please check before you visit.

The Tenku Sauna sits 1,000m up. From the open-air rest space you look over the sun setting into the Matsukawa Gorge. In autumn a view chosen for Japan's 100 best autumn landscapes opens out.

MATSUKAWAKAN is about 40 minutes by car from Nagano Station, and a free shuttle bus runs between them. For directions, see Access.

Frequently asked questions