VOL.197 OCTOBER 2024
JAPAN’S HEALING FORESTS (PART 2)
Autumn Forests with Colorful Leaves
Onuma Park, a Marshland To Enjoy Vibrant Autumn Colors
Mount Arayu-fuji viewed from Onuma Park amid the autumn foliage. Late October is typically the best time to enjoy the view.
Photo: the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city
Nasushiobara City is located in the northern part of Tochigi Prefecture, which lies to the north of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Among the city’s highlights, Onuma Park, part of Nikko National Park*, offers a wide variety of autumn foliage.
Onuma Park and the surrounding forests, located around 200 kilometers north of Tokyo, were selected as one of the “100 Best Forests in Japan for Forest Bathing”**, where they are collectively known as “Onuma Forest.” According to INOSE Takahiro of the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city, “Onuma Park is a marshland located 980 meters above sea level. It spans an area from the south to the east of Mount Arayu-fuji (1,184 meters above sea level), and in the park, you can see a variety of forest landscapes and ecosystems throughout the four seasons. Onuma Park features Yoshi Swamp and Lake Onuma, they are surrounded by broadleaf trees such as the Mongolian oak (mizunara). The forests of Tochigi boast many kinds of maple trees, and the autumn colors of about 23 species can be observed around the park.”
The park features well-maintained walking trails, and people can stroll around both Lake Onuma and Yoshi Swamp.
“The walking trail around Yoshi Swamp is a wooden boardwalk with a universal design***, making it wheelchair accesible. In autumn, many people take walks and forest bathing, while enjoying the changing leaves of the Japanese horse-chestnut and Mongonlian oak (mizunara). The picturesque 1.8-km promenade circles the Onuma lakeside, offering visitors a scenic route to enjoy the autumn foliage. The trail is blanketed with a carpet of yellows, reds, and various other colors of fallen leaves, and walking here offers a sense of great relaxation.”
Photo: the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city
“The various autumn leaves paint the surrounding forest in a gradation of color, and if you move your eyes to the water’s edge, you can also enjoy the golden-colored reeds along the water’s edge. I believe that Onuma Park offers unique autumn scenery that can only be enjoyed here. On a fine day, you can also enjoy the reflection of Mount Arayu-fuji on the surface of the water, known as the Mirror Fuji.”
The Shiobara Onsen Visitor Center, a 20-minute drive north of Onuma Park, also hosts regular Nature Walks **** from April to November. These walking tours are led by a park conductor who guides visitors through the forest, allowing them to observe the unique scenery and natural phenomena that can only be experienced at that particular time of year.
“Onuma Park is characterized by a gradual change in foliage from the tall trees to the shrubs, extending the autumn season. In October, the leaves begin to change in places to create a patchwork effect, and in November, the shrubs also change color. The whole area will be a beautiful sight like a richly colored fabric.”
Mr. Inose encourages visitors to visit the famous suspension bridges in the surrounding area during the fall foliage season.
Photo: the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city
Photo: the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city
“Recently, the Kurenai (or “crimson”) Suspension Bridge (about 53 meters long) and the Momiji-dani Otsuribashi (or “Maple Valley Large Suspension Bridge in Japanese) (about 320 meters long) have become popular spots in autumn, often visited by visitors from overseas. Everyone enjoys the view from the bridges. When you visit Onuma Park to see autumn foliage, we hope you will stop by Shiobara Onsenkyo and unwind in a hot spring bath after enjoying the colorful autumn foliage.”
* Nikko National Park: A national park that spans Tochigi, Gunma and Fukushima Prefectures. Its total area is approximately 115,000 hectares, with most of the park area being mountainous land belonging to the Nasu volcanic belt.
** A selection of Japanese forests established in 1986 by the Forestry Agency in collaboration with related organizations
*** While “accessibility” (commonly referred to as “barrier-free” in Japan) focuses on removing barriers caused by disabilities, “universal design” is the concept of designing cities and living environments from the ground up that are accessible to all people, regardless of disability, age, or gender. It refers to places that are designed with this concept in mind.
**** The Fall 2024 session includes five dates: October 25, 26, and 27, and November 16 and 17.
By MOROHASHI Kumiko
Photo: the tourism bureau of Nasushiobara city; PIXTA
