1
Nitatoge (Nita Pass)

A dynamic and spectacular spot where you can experience the great nature of Unzen

The Nitadoge Pass offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons: pink Miyama-kirishima in spring, fresh greenery and white yamaboshi in summer, fiery autumn leaves in fall, and mysterious muhyo (fog ice) in winter. The Nitatoge Circular Road, a one-way mountain road that circles around the middle of Unzen-dake Mountain, is a rarity in Japan. At observation points along the way, you can see the Ariake Sea, Tachibana Bay, and the Kuju Mountains in the distance, weather permitting.
From Nitatoge, take the Unzen Ropeway for a 1,300-meter ride above sea level. The autumn leaves of Mt. Myokendake spread out at eye level, making you feel as if you are swimming in a sea of autumn leaves.
A five-minute walk from Myokodake Station will take you to the summit. Kunimi-dake, Fugendake, and Heisei-shinzan, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the autumn scenery.

The beginning of the changing of colors: Usually in late October.
Usually from late October to early November.
Kinds of autumn foliage】Komine maple, mountain ash, white dodan, etc.

Nita Pass

• 551 Unzen, Obama-cho, Unzen City, Nagasaki MAP
• Approx. 65 min. by car from JR Isahaya Station, approx. 15 min. by car from Hoshino Resorts KAI Unzen
• Take a bus from JR Isahaya Station, get off at "Unzen", and take a cab from Unzen hot spring resort, which is a short walk away.
  *From November 1, 2025 to January 4, 2026, a shuttle bus will be operated from Unzen hot spring town to Nitatoge.
  For more information on the shuttle bus, please visit https://www.unzen.org/news/nitapass_bus Confirmation required
• Ropeway starts at 8:51 a.m. (tickets available from 5:00 p.m. *from 11/1 to 3/31: from 4:50 p.m.)
• In case of inclement weather (service may be suspended due to inspections, etc., check the Unzen Ropeway website) Please check the Unzen Ropeway website for details.)
• Environmental cooperation fee 100 yen and up. Ropeway: 830 yen one way, 1,500 yen round trip
  
• 0957-73-3572 (Unzen Ropeway), 0957-73-3434 (Unzen Tourism Bureau)
• Free of charge
• Nitatoge Circular Road is open from April to October: 8:00-18:00 (downhill gate locked at 18:45), from November to March: 8:00-17:00 (downhill gate locked at 17:45).
  For more information about the Unzen Ropeway, please visit https://unzen-ropeway.com Confirmation required

2
Sanjyu-en (Misoji-en)

Vivid maple trees and elegant colors of bamboo grove stain the vast site.

Sanjuro-en," which is open only during the fall, is a well-known autumn foliage spot. Located between Unzen hot springs and Obama hot springs, it is nearly 1,000 m lower than Myokendake, so the best time to view the autumn colors is around mid-November, when the foliage at Nitadoge is at its peak.
Sanjuroen began in the 1980s when the owner of Rokubei Tea House, which serves Shimabara's local dish "Rokubei," planted maple trees on the hill behind his house. Today, more than 1,000 maple trees and maples in vivid color on an area of about 8,000 tsubo (about 1.5 acres) attract visitors with the contrast between the autumn leaves and the bamboo grove.
When the sun goes down, the garden is lit up, creating a fantastic scene that is different from that of the daytime. The "upside-down maple leaves," in which the colored leaves are reflected in the surface of the pond, is especially beautiful.

Beginning of the changing of colors: Mid-November
Best time to view the leaves: Mid-November to early December.
Kind of leaves】Momiji, Iroha maple, etc.

Sanjuroen Maple Festival
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025 - early December
Lights up after sunset - 21:00

Sanjyu-en Garden

• 1870-4 Minamikizashi, Obama-cho, Unzen, Nagasaki MAP
• Approximately 60 minutes from JR Isahaya Station by car
• Take a bus from JR Isahaya Station and get off at "Mimikai" stop. 4 min. walk from the stop.
• Saturday, November 22, 2025 - early December 9:00 - 21:00
• Adults (high school students and older) 600 yen, Free for junior high school students and younger
• 090-3607-3852
• Free of charge
• Open only during the fall foliage season

3
Nagasaki Park

The oldest park in Nagasaki, where you can enjoy the combination of the fountain pond and the autumn leaves.

This is the oldest park in Nagasaki, adjacent to Suwa Shrine, which is known for Nagasaki Kunchi, a traditional Nagasaki autumn festival. Together with Suwa Shrine, the park is called "Suwa no Mori" (woods of Suwa), and is a popular place for visitors to relax in a rich natural setting despite its location in the city center.
The Japanese garden in the park has a pond that is a restored version of the oldest decorative fountain in Japan, and in late autumn the surrounding trees create a vivid gradation of colors. Visitors can enjoy the elegant scenery of carp swimming leisurely in the pond, the fountain, and the magnificent autumn leaves, and taste "Osuwa no Botamochi" and thin udon noodles at "Tsukimi Jaya" established in 1885, which have been handed down since the Meiji Era.
At night, the area around the fountain pond is illuminated. A walk around the fountain pond at night is also recommended to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the autumn leaves.

Start of color change] Usually in late November.
Best time to see the leaves: Late November to early December.
Kind of foliage】Forest maples, etc.

Light up
Date & Time: 17:00-22:00 throughout the year
Place：Around the Japanese garden fountain pond

Nagasaki Park

• 19-8 Kaminishiyama-cho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki MAP
• 20 min. walk from JR Nagasaki Stn.
  From Nagasaki Station, take tram and get off at Suwa Shrine Stop. 5 min. walk.
• From Nagasaki Station East Exit, take a bus and get off at "Museum of History and Culture" and walk about 7 minutes.
• Animal Plaza: 9:30-17:00, Tsukimi Teahouse: 10:00-16:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9:00-17:00
• Tsukimi Teahouse is closed on Wednesdays.
• 095-823-6080
• None

4
Todoroki Gorge

The colorful beauty of the valley, where autumn leaves and waterfalls interweave

The upper reaches of the Sakai River, which originates in the Taradake mountain range, are home to the Todoroki Stream, which is lined with more than 30 waterfalls of various sizes and oddly shaped rocks. Selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the "100 best waters" in Japan, the river is a treasure house of nature with fireflies, king crabs, landlocked salmon, sculpin, and more.
The Yangyanagi Falls, where a rainbow appears when bathed in sunlight, and the powerful Tairyu Falls are just two of the many highlights of the area.

In mid-November, the trees in the gorge begin to change color, creating a beautiful contrast with the emerald green waterfall basin. The surface of the water and the rocks are covered with red and yellow leaves, and even your feet are enveloped in the colors of autumn. While touring the waterfalls, enjoy the beauty of the autumn leaves as only the valley can offer.

Beginning of the changing of colors] Usually in mid-November.
Best time to visit: Usually mid-November to early December.
Kinds of autumn foliage: Japanese maples, maple trees, etc.

5
Kuroki Gorge

The brightly colored maple leaves and the clear, clear stream are a pleasant sight.

Kuroki Valley is home to the Korogawa Erosion Control Park and campground, which make the most of the natural mountain stream. Many people visit the valley to enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons, such as playing in the river, bathing in the forests, and viewing the autumn leaves. The valley is also a popular spot for mountain climbers throughout the year, as there is a trailhead for climbing Mt.
In the gorge, blessed with abundant nature, rare alpine plants can be seen, and in early summer, fireflies dance in the air, creating a fantastic sight.
As autumn deepens, the trees in the area turn vermilion and gold, vividly reflecting the clear surface of the water and the rock faces. The maple trees scattered along the stream catch the light and sparkle, and the view of the mountain stream is breathtaking. The sound of the clear water and the contrasting colors of the autumn leaves will refresh your soul.

Beginning of the changing of the colors: Usually in mid-November.
Best time to view the leaves: Usually mid-November to early December.
Kind of foliage: Japanese maples, etc.

Kuroki Valley

• Kuroki-cho, Omura City, Nagasaki MAP
• Approximately 25 minutes by car from JR Omura Station
• From JR Omura Station, take a bus to "Odake Iriguchi" and walk about 3 minutes.
• 0957-53-4111（Omura City Tourism Promotion Division)
• Free of charge

6
Jufukuji Temple

It looks like a painting. Enjoy the beauty of autumn reflected in the "upside-down maple leaves.

This historic temple was built in 1583 and moved to its current location in 1635 as a prayer temple for the Hirado Matsuura clan.
During the autumn foliage season, the temple attracts a lot of attention as it is open to the public for a limited period of time to view the "upside-down maple leaves. The "upside-down maple leaves" is a photogenic trick in which 10 tatami mats worth of acrylic panels are installed in the hall of the old main hall to project the vivid maple leaves in the Japanese garden upside down. Crimson, light red, orange, amber, and the green of jade-like pine trees. The colors of the trees are reflected on the floor, creating an enchanting world of colors that looks like a painting. The scene, which changes its expression depending on the angle, is one of the most symbolic features of autumn in Sasebo.

Beginning of the changing of colors: Usually in mid-November.
Best time to see the leaves: Usually from mid-November to late November.
Kind of leaves】Momiji, Ginkgo, etc.

Reversed Autumn Leaves
Date：Mid-November 12:00-16:00
Place：Former main hall
Fee：500 yen for admission
URL：https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/event/64506

Fukujuji Temple

• 276 Nagasaka, Egomo-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki MAP
• From JR Sasebo Station, take the Matsuura Railway and get off at Egoshikamachi Station. 10 minutes walk from the station.
• From JR Sasebo Station, get off at Egei Bus Center and walk 5 minutes.
• 0956-65-2040
• Free of charge