We Asked the Expert: The Best Driving Course to Enjoy the Fall Colors
We asked Kiyomi Endo, who has been taking photos of Sado's nature for the last 20 years, to tell us the best spots visit on an autumn drive.
Expert's Top 3 Picks
Mr. Endo began taking photos of Sado's seasons and nature when he started dabbling in radio communication. We asked him to recommend three driving course for the fall.
"Boy, that's a hard one, but I guess number one would be Otowa-ike on Osado Skyline. You start from the Sado Gold Mine side and go past Odaira Heights and down the hill a little. You have to walk for a few minutes after you park the car, but the mysterious looking lake that's surrounded by a grove of beech trees is beyond words. Number two would be Momijiyama Park located on the west side of Ogura Pass on the way from Hatano to Oda on the West side of the island. The park has the most number of Japanese maple trees on the island, so the colors are amazing beyond comparison. Number three would be Myoken Camp Grounds also off Osado Skyline. If you can park and walk for about an hour into the beech groves, you'll find a surprisingly unique scenery."
The floating island in Otowa-ike is the largest of its kind in Japan and has been designated as a Prefectural Natural Monument. Located in the center of Sado Island, Osado Skyline and Ogura Pass are two places that should not be missed.
Beech grove in Mount Kinpoku. The fog adds magic to its beauty.
The colors of beech trees aren't flashy or showy, but have a gentle, calming quality.
At Myoken Camp Grounds, the colors of rowan woods catch your eye.
Mr. Endo belongs to Kanai Photo Club where he works on his techniques and shows his photos once a month.
Mr. Endo's favorite spot: Otowa-ike.
Looking towards Ryotsu Harbor from Mount Myoken's hillside. The ocean view passed the fall colors is something to be found only on Sado.
Fall colors reflected on Kagami-ike of Momijiyama. There is a large variety of trees that turn colors in the fall in Momijiyama, such as Japanese maple, rowan tree, sumac, and holly.
The local volunteers take care of the grounds at Momijiyama to keep it beautiful.
More Areas to Enjoy the Fall Colors
Red leaves of ivy that is climbing on the side of the building at the historical Sado Gold Mine is like a work of art.
Sado Gold Mine is a little known spot for fall colors. The crimson leaves of Japanese maple seem to glow.
Aside from the Top 3, Mr. Endo told us about his favorite spots for taking pictures of fall colors.
u"It's on Osado Skyline also, but park your car at Haku-undai and walk for about 5 to 10 minutes, and you'll find yourself among mountains painted with reds of Japanese maple and different shades of yellow of chestnut and beech. Also I really like the otherworldness of the beech grove I found about an hour's walk along the mountain ridge path on Mount Kinpoku." You need to get permission to walk on the path along the mountain ridge path of Mount Kinpoku. Make sure to call Japan Air Defense Force (Tel: 0259-63-4111) by noon one day before you plan to walk the path.
"An unexpected place is Sado Gold Mine. Seeing nature intermingle with historical buildings, like the bright red ivy on the warehouse and the contrast between the buildings and Japanese maple, is very interesting." The leaves start to turn colors in this area around mid November. "I also like Sankyo-no-ike that located in the area that's a little further in from Masara River in Sotokaifu," Mr. Endo added.
Finally, we asked Mr. Endo to give us pointers about taking pictures of fall leaves. "Pictures taken under cloudy conditions tend to be more picturesque than under bright sun light. Rainy conditions make the light dance. Also if you use polarizing filter in any condition, the colors come through more vividly as it takes out the reflection. Give it a try."
DATA
Osado Skyline
- About 20 minutes by car from Ryotsu Harbor to the entrance of Kanai Area on Route 350
- About 40 minutes by car from Ryotsu Harbor to Haku-undai
- About 1 hour by car from Ryotsu Harbor to Otowa-ike entrance
Sado Gold Mine
- About 1 hour by car from Ryotsu Harbor
Momijiyama Park
- About 1 hour 40 minutes by car from Ryotsu Harbor via Oda on the West side of the island
- About 1 hour by car from Ryotsu Harbor via Hatano
- ¦ Momijiyama Festival takes place on October 26th (fourth Sunday of October every year)
Sankyo-no-ike
- About 1 hour by car from Ryotsu Harbor (from Kita-koura via forest path)