Autumn colours at Shichimi and Goshiki Onsen,
the upper Matsukawa Gorge around 15 October

This journal covers the autumn colours in the upper part of the Matsukawa Gorge, around Shichimi Onsen and Goshiki Onsen, and looks only at when to go and what the scenery is like.

In the tourism association's autumn feature, this belt at 1,200 to 1,250 metres is at its best around 15 October in an average year.

That is about ten days earlier than Yamada Onsen, lower down at 900 metres. You can see the upper colours first, then come back down to The TOJI.ba MATSUKAWAKAN in Yamada Onsen.

Why the upper gorge turns ten days before Yamada Onsen

The Matsukawa Gorge runs for 15 kilometres, with 1,100 metres of height between its top and its foot.

In the tourism association's autumn feature, the highest point near Mount Kasa starts to colour around 5 October.

Below that, the belt around Shichimi and Goshiki Onsen, at 1,200 to 1,250 metres, is at its best around 15 October.

Lower still, Yamada Onsen and Takai Bridge at 900 metres peak around 25 October, about ten days later than the upper gorge.

The 1,250-metre belt around Shichimi and Goshiki

Shichimi Onsen and Goshiki Onsen sit around 1,200 to 1,250 metres above sea level.

This is the upper part of the Matsukawa Gorge, higher up than Yamada Onsen.

The whole of Takayama Village lies inside the Shiga Highlands UNESCO Eco Park.

The village also belongs to the association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

Maples, beeches and rowans turning together

According to the village, maples, beeches and rowans turn colour in the Matsukawa Gorge.

These broadleaf trees change colour together across the gorge.

You can see the same trees colouring in the upper part, around Shichimi and Goshiki Onsen.

For the whole gorge, see Autumn colours in the Matsukawa Gorge.

From Yamada Ranch down to the waterfalls

The village gives the distance from Yamada Ranch to Shichimi and Goshiki Onsen as about 3 kilometres.

From there it is about 2 kilometres to Kaminari and Yataki Falls, and about 3 kilometres more down to Yamada Onsen.

So the upper colours and Yamada Onsen are linked by the road running down the gorge.

For the ranch itself, see Yamada Ranch.

Back down to Yamada Onsen and its baths

Kaminari Falls and Yamada Ranch are about fifteen minutes by car from The TOJI.ba MATSUKAWAKAN.

After the upper colours you can come back down to Yamada Onsen, which has a free village car park a short walk from the ryokan.

Day-use bathing runs from 11:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:30, at 650 yen (tax included) per person, and no reservation is needed. Prices are subject to change; please check before you visit.

There are two public bathhouses within walking distance, Oyu and Takinoyu, both fed by the Yamada Onsen source.

See Oyu and the streets of Yamada Onsen and Day-use onsen (650 yen, no reservation).

The Tenku Sauna and Japan's 100 best autumn views

The TOJI.ba MATSUKAWAKAN has the Tenku Sauna, set 1,000 metres up.

From its open-air rest space you look over the sun setting into the Matsukawa Gorge.

In autumn the view is one chosen for Japan's 100 best autumn landscapes, and at night the sky has been ranked third in the world.

To plan a route through the village, see A Takayama Village itinerary.

Frequently asked questions