Autumn leaves are at their best at Shirakami Naqua Resort (Ajigasawa, Aomori Prefecture). "Autumn Leaves Gondola" also started business on October 3.

Located on the northwest side of Mt. Iwaki, this gondola climbs to an altitude of 921 meters. Katsuhiko Tonozaki of Naqua Shirakami Hotel explains that "the temperature of the leaves is said to drop once every 100 meters, so the leaves are colored rapidly." The gondola will be a chartered cabin for four passengers, so "you can enjoy the view of the autumn colors gradually deepening in the private space as the altitude rises," he said.

Every year, there are many spectators who take a video camera from the cabin and shoot videos, or bring in a single-lens reflex camera to shoot autumn leaves near the summit. If the weather is nice, you can get a panoramic view of the Tsugaru Plain and even see Hokkaido.

Autumn colors of this year are the same as usual, "Maybe it will be the best time to see the three consecutive holidays on weekends," says Tozaki. "Because there is an altitude difference of 500 meters from the hotel, there is a temperature difference of at least 5 degrees, so I want you to come in a warm clothes," he said.

Business hours are from 8:30 to 15:30. Until October 25th. The round trip fee is 1,700 yen for adults and 850 yen for elementary school students and younger.