The maple leaves in northeastern Japan are absolutely stunning—ride the cable car up Mount Zao to gaze at the mountains ablaze with red foliage.

▲ Maple leaves are the most romantic seasonal sight of autumn.

Reported and photographed by Chen Hanyin / Japan

There’s no more romantic autumn escape than embarking on a maple leaf adventure. In this enchanting season, book a flight to Japan and admire how autumn paints the once emerald-green mountains in brilliant red. When it comes to chasing fall foliage in Japan, popular spots include Kyoto in Kansai and Karuizawa in Kanto. But if you prefer fewer crowds, Mount Zao in northeastern Japan is the ultimate destination for maple leaf viewing.

▲ Visitors can take a cable car up Mount Zao to enjoy the maple leaves.

The Zao Mountain Range is part of the Ou Mountains in Japan, located at the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Its main peak stands at approximately 1,841 meters above sea level and is known as Mount Zao among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Visitors coming here to view the maple leaves must take the cable car—it’s truly an unforgettable experience. The cable car ride is divided into two segments with separate ticketing: the “Juhyo Plateau” station at around 1,331 meters above sea level, and the “Jizo Summit” station at about 1,700 meters near the mountaintop.

▲ Get ready to take the cable car up the mountain and gaze out over the sea of red leaves.

▲ At this time of day, only about 50% of the mountain is red, but the surrounding mist adds a romantic touch.

The Juhyo Plateau station allows you to explore deeper into the maple leaf areas, immersing yourself in the poetic beauty of the crimson foliage. Meanwhile, the Jizo Summit station offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire mountainside turning red from the top. It’s recommended to buy a ticket all the way to the summit—get off at the first segment to enjoy the maple leaves, then continue upward to take in the spectacular sea of clouds. According to the latest foliage updates, red leaves are now appearing not only at higher altitudes but also gradually spreading along the lower trails. Leaf-peepers should aim to visit around mid-October, when the colors are at their peak.

▲ The mountaintop, already at high elevation, has many maple leaves turning red.

▲ Each turning leaf heralds the arrival of a romantic autumn.

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Aside from maple leaf viewing, Mount Zao is also internationally renowned for its “juhyo” (ice monsters) in winter. The moisture and droplets brought by the seasonal winter winds cling to the coniferous trees, forming unique winter spectacles. Moreover, the Zao Mountain Range is a cluster of active volcanoes, and Yamagata Prefecture’s Zao Onsen is a historic hot spring town with over a century of history. The natural sulfur springs are known to soften skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. Whether you’re visiting Zao for the maple leaves or the ice monsters, be sure to soak in the relaxing, century-old Zao Onsen in Yamagata.

▲ Zao Onsen has a history of over a hundred years.

Zao Cable Car Ticket Prices

Juhyo Plateau Station: One-way 800円 / Round-trip 1,500円 Jizo Summit Station: One-way 1,500円 / Round-trip 1,800円