I went for a drive to Hachimantai National Park to enjoy Koyo (autumn colored leaves). I drove in a kind of loop around Hachimantai, diving up through the Aspite line and then coming back down via the Jukai line.
Driving up Aspite, I first stopped at Gozaisho. I was surprised with the patchwork of colors; red, yellow, orange trees mixed with evergreens. Gozaisho has a nice walking trail around a marshland area and the trail goes around a small pond called Goshiki-numa. Goshiki means 5 colors in English and was named this because you can see many colors reflected in the pond throughout the year.
The Aspite line winds along the edge of the mountain and the view is spectacular. You have a great view across the valley and on clear days, you can see Mt Iwate and Morioka. Thankfully, were many places to stop along the way to take pictures.
When I reached the top, I turned left and started my descent on the Jukai line.
A few minutes down is a hot spring inn called Saiunsou. Most people know it as Toshichi onsen. It is an old onsen that has a few pools of water with wooden fences between them. The water is milky white and you can smell the sulfer in the air. You can also see the sulfur steam rising up from the ground. I love Japanese old onsens. You can relax in the healing waters, daydreaming and gazing up into the sky, but I didn't have time this day.
I stopped Saiunsou for lunch. There was a simple soba and Japanese pickles buffet; delicious and light. They also sell onsen eggs (eggs boiled in hot spring water). There is a pool of hot water, a few minutes drive down from the inn. The water temperature is 98 degrees celsius and perfect for boiling the eggs. Next time, I want to try to boil some eggs there.
Driving down the Jukai line, there were patches of orange and yellow trees. I noticed that the chinese characters of Jukai was sea and tree. Sea-tree line, a fitting name for the tall, tree lined road.
My last stop was at the Matsukawa Geo-thermal power plant. It was really interesting to see the power plant tower set among a background of autumn red and yellow leaves. Matsukawa is also a famous onsen area. There are 2 onsens; one old, one new. Tempted again by the idea of soaking in the relaxing waters, I made a promise to come back again for an onsen day.
It took about 5 hours for my return trip. The weather forecast was sunny and warm in Morioka, but at the top of Hachimantai, clouds blew in and it was chilly with light rain. I brought my fleece jacket and raincoat, because I know how mountain weather can be unpredictable.
You can enjoy Koyo from around the end of September till about mid October. I went at the end of the season and it was a beautiful relaxing drive.