Visitor Center Report

Announcing winter road closures

weather: Rain Temperature: 15 ℃

Visitors are asked to make note of the following road closure schedule.
Kogen Onsen: 5:00 p.m., October 11 (the Kogen-numa course will be closed on October 9) Ginsendai: 11:00 a.m., October 9
Aizankei Gorge: 11:00 a.m., October 20
September 30, 2014

Sounkyo Gorge today

weather: Cloudy Temperature: 15 ℃

The weather was clear and sunny early this morning, but right now black clouds are overhead.
The weather is deteriorating. The forecast is predicting temperatures that could bring snow not only to the mountains but the flatlands as well.
The weather is a cause of concern, as the fall colors remain beautiful in the gorge. What’s more, strong winds are predicted for the next few days.
The photos show an area near the Sounkyo Picnic Site and Momijidani Valley, Sounkyo’s popular walking course. The colors have become even more beautiful.
The fall colors are also spreading around Sounkyo’s other popular sightseeing spot: the Ginga-no-Taki and Ryusei-no-Taki Falls.
For mountain information, see: http://sounkyovc.net/trails/kuro/140930soun.pdf
Photos: Sounkyo Gorge (left) and Momijidani (right) Sep. 30

Sounkyo Gorge today

weather: Clear Temperature: 14 ℃

The photo shows Sounkyo Gorge as it looks today. The leaves are becoming more colorful each day.
The colors should deepen even more as the best time for viewing them approaches.
Photo: Sounkyo Gorge as seen from the Visitor Center Sep. 29

Sounkyo today

weather: Clear Temperature: 14 ℃

The photo on the left shows Momijidani Valley and those to the right show the gorge. They clearly illustrate how the leaves are turning day by day.
Unfortunately the weather forecast for the coming days is less than fine, which is not good news for people who wish to see them.
The colors are still beautiful, so we can only pray for better weather.
Photos: Momijidani (left) and Sounkyo Gorge (center and right) Sep. 27

Arriving early…

weather: Clear Temperature: 13 ℃

The leaves in Momijidani Valley, Sounkyo’s popular walking area, are already approaching their best viewing season.
The bottom photograph shows Sounkyo Gorge. The presence of green leaves means that further coloring can be expected. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that the fall foliage season has arrived.
Additionally, the area around the popular Sounkyo waterfalls—Ginga-no-Taki and Ryusei-no-Taki—is also approaching its most beautiful.
The season is arriving fairly early this year (about one week earlier than it did last year). The leaves are also starting to turn on the “Momiji Kaido” road between Kamikawa Town and Mikuni Pass.
Photos: Momijidani (left) and Sounkyo Gorge (right) Sep. 26