Head to Nagano’s Southern and Northern Edges for Stunning Autumn Colors

Updated: 2026-06-22

Southern Nagano Autumn - Mt. Naeba Lady Standing Under Momiji

Nagano Prefecture abounds in destinations famous for fall colors, such as the alpine gems of Kamikochi and Senjojiki Cirque, and picturesque lakes like Togakushi’s Kagami Pond and Karuizawa’s Kumoba Pond. But on Nagano’s less-visited southern and northernmost edges you can find unforgettable autumn foliage without the crowds. Here are four destinations in the southern and northern points of Nagano that may take considerable effort to visit, but will reward you with some of the most vivid colors.

Head to Nagano's Southern and Nothern Edges for Stunning Autumn Colors

Southern Nagano - Ina Valley, Komagane City
Southern Nagano - Minowa Town, Momiji Lake
Northern Nagano - Akiyama-go, Sakai Village
Northern Nagano - Nabekura Highlands, Iiyama City

Southern Nagano - Ina Valley, Komagane

Brilliant red leaves on a Japanese maple tree with Komakusa Bridge in the distance

Located in the Ina Valley on Nagano Prefecture’s southern end is the city of Komagane which is nestled between the Central and Southern Japanese Alps. In early October crowds of people flock here to take the Komagatake Ropeway up to the Senjojiki Cirque for high alpine autumn colors. But by early November, the the autumn foliage heads down to lower parts of Komagane City and in particular the area around the picturesque Komakusa Suspension Bridge.

The stunning view from Komakusa Bridge

Autumn colors wonderland in the adjacent park

Access:

The Komakusa Bridge is 2 kilometers from Komagane Interchange (5 minutes by car or for people transferring from Expressway Bus approximately 5 minutes by local bus), or 10 minutes by bus from Komagane Station for those arriving by JR Iida Line).

Recommended Food to Try while you're here

Komagane is famous for sauce katsudon, fried pork cutlets in a sweet sauce. Meiji-tei is especially well-known and has multiple locations in Komagane as well as throughout the prefecture (including one in Nagano Station).

Mouthwatering sweet pork cutlets from Meiji-tei

The front of Meijitei

Southern Nagano - Minowa Town, Momiji Lake

Further up the Ina Valley is the quaint town of Minowa, home to Momiji Lake. Located on the outskirts of the town, the lake is surrounded by 10,000 Japanese maple trees. In late October and early November, the hillsides around the lake turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange, contrasting beautifully with the emerald green water.

The lake was created when Minowa Dam was built and the former residents of the area planted the maple trees as a gift to future generations. The trees have matured and now every fall create a masterpiece of autumn colors. Access to the lake is via a single road that tends to get crowded when the leaves change color.

Northern Nagano - Akiyama-go, Sakai Village

Akiyama-go is a remote valley cut off from most of civilization with stunning autumn colors. In late October, the region’s trees become a brilliant harmony of hues drawing busloads of visitors to this otherwise hidden escape. The winding road leads up the valley to Kiriake Onsen, a natural hot spring that bubbles up in a riverbed where you arrange the rocks to make your own bath. Quaint hamlets, stunning river and mountain vistas and one of Japan’s wildest onsens await, all filtered through a patina of reds and golds in autumn.