[Oita Prefecture] The most beautiful autumn foliage in the Kuju Mountains! Mt. Ofuna

The Kuju Mountains lie in Oita Prefecture. Near the summit of Mt. Taisen (1,786m above sea level), the third highest mountain in the mountain range, lies a small crater lake called Oike. The autumn leaves around Oike are the most beautiful in the Kuju Mountains, and it is very popular! Many people of all ages and genders flock to the area in October during the autumn foliage season. It is 12km one way from the trailhead, so it takes at least 8 hours to make a day trip, starting before dawn. There is a campsite and a mountain lodge (with hot spring) at the halfway point, so many climbers come for a two-day, one-night trip. When I visited, there was rain, thick fog, and wind from the morning, so I couldn't see the beautiful reflection of Oike, but it was still breathtakingly beautiful! The rain-soaked maples turned a deep red, and we enjoyed a beautiful autumn foliage climb. Photo on Oct 24, 2022 This is called 'Oike' volcanic small lake of Mt. Taisenzan on the peak, which belongs to the larger volcanic Kuju massif in the center of the Japanese island Kyushu. This mountain is said to be the most gorgeous fall foliage of the mountains in Kuju massif!! The weather on the mountain is variable, and it had been getting deep foggy and raining after leaving the peak of Taisenzan. Anyway, it's truly worth climbing to Mt. Taisenzan in fall as well as early summer! #tripdomestictravel #oitaprefecture #autumnfoliage #mountainclimbing #spectacularview