A Fall Foliage Viewing Spot in Akita: Hottai Falls amid the Mountain Blanketed with Fall Foliage, the best location for Movies in Japan!

Last update :
Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

There is much water accumulating on the summit of Mount Chokai, which is located in Akita Prefecture and included as one of the 100 Famous Mountains in Japan. The water is divided into three cascades: first cascade, second cascade and third cascade. As they descend quickly from the top, the scene is a magnificent spectacle. This is famous Hottai Falls. In early fall, with fall foliage covering the mountain, there is more picturesque scenery here than one can take in and hence here has become the location for many movies and televisions in Japan.

※ Name in Japanese: 法体の滝

Hottai Falls, the best location for movies in Japan!
Hottai Falls, the best location for movies in Japan!

Hottai Falls, One of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls

Hottai Falls is one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. With a drop of 57.4m, it is about 100 m long and 3 to 30 m wide. And it is named “Hottai Falls” for its white stream looks like a Buddhist monk wearing a white habit from afar, who is called “Hottai” in Japanese.

Hottai Falls amid fresh green vegetation
Hottai Falls amid fresh green vegetation

Fall Foliage and Torrents in the Mountain

Once encircled by lush hills in spring and summer, Hottai Falls seems immersed in a sea of fall leaves in fall!
Both the stream and the sky are tinted with fall colors, fall leaves are spreading on fields and hills, and water are gushing down from the summit. All these are tempting me to capture every moment!

Hottai Falls, one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls
Hottai Falls, one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls

In late fall, set off by increasingly reddening leaves, the waterfall looks whiter and more brilliant. The contrast is so stunning that I cannot tear my eyes away.

Around the spring at the foot of the waterfall, there is a park called Hottai Park, which, covering a vast land of 17,000 m2, is a famous waterside park in Akita. The sight of the broad lawn surrounded by beautiful fall foliage can take my mind off things!

Vast Hottai Park
Vast Hottai Park

Near Tamada Valley, a tourist attraction at the upper reaches of Hottai Falls, a 2.5 km long path is built with some disused forest rails, and it is pleasant to walk there.

Walking along the mountain path near Hottai Falls
Walking along the mountain path near Hottai Falls

A Small Train Trip through a Sea of Fall Leaves ♡

A ride by a small train of Yuri Kogen Railway is recommended for the trip to Hottai Falls, because when approaching a large area of fall leaves, the train will slow down on purpose to offer a better view for passengers. Let’s enjoy such a train trip before visiting the waterfall. ♡

A train trip on the Akita Nairiku Line ♡
A train trip on the Akita Nairiku Line ♡

Besides, the trainmen will dress themselves up as “obako” (a word denoting girls in the Tohoku region’s traditional clothing) to serve passengers. ♪

Video on the Fall Foliage around Hottai Falls

Basic information on Hottai Falls

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid-October to late October
Address
Hottai Park, Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture
Phone
0184-57-2205
0184-57-2205
Access
About 30 minute ride by rented car or taxi from Yashima Station of Yuri Kogen Railway
Admission
Free
Official website (in Japanese)
http://www.akitafan.com/archive/tourism/1120