Enjoy Spectacular Views in the National Park, Along with Mushroom Soup and Herbal Tea! Nine Days to Savor Nature and Food
Otari Village in Nagano Prefecture (Pronounced: Otari-mura; Location: Otari-mura, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture; Village Mayor: Yoshiaki Nakamura) will be holding the “2025 Tsugaike Nature Garden Autumn Colors Week” for nine days from Saturday, September 27, 2025, to October 5. During the event period, there will be many unmissable events, including servings of mushroom soup, herbal tea made with local Otari Village produce, and sliced apples from Shinshu.
In Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture, you can enjoy autumn foliage for an extended period from September to early November. This mountainous village, rich in nature and home to two national parks, offers scenery that changes daily with the progression of autumn colors, revealing a different face with each visit. Why not visit Otari Village this autumn?
“Tsugaike Nature Garden Autumn Colors Week” Event Overview
We’re holding our “Autumn Colors Week” for the best viewing of Tsugaike Nature Park’s foliage, which is at its peak from late September to early October. Along with the changing colors that move with the elevation, we’ve prepared many captivating events for visitors, including local food offerings and a commemorative raffle.
From families to nature enthusiasts, everyone can experience the unique charm of autumn. We sincerely look forward to your visit.
Event Period: 9 days from Saturday, September 27, 2025, to Sunday, October 5, 2025
Main Event Details:
⬛︎Saturday Events (September 27th & October 4th)
・Alphorn performance
・Free mushroom soup
・Free Otari Village herbal tea
・Shinshu “oyaki” (grilled buns) outdoor sale
⬛︎Sunday Events (September 28th & October 5th)
・Free Shinshu-grown sliced apples
・Free Polaroid photo shoot and gift・Shinshu “oyaki” outdoor sale
⬛︎Weekday Events (September 29th – October 3rd)
・Commemorative postcard gift for park entry・Commemorative raffle for visitors・Shinshu “oyaki” outdoor sale (October 1st only)
Note: The number of items provided for some events is limited. Some events may be canceled due to rain.
Let’s explore the best autumn foliage spots in Otari Village!
Otari Village is a mountain village located in the northwesternmost part of Nagano Prefecture, on the border with Niigata Prefecture. Its highest elevation is 2,766 meters (at the summit of Mt. Ko-Renge) and its lowest is about 173 meters.
With 88% of its total area covered by forests, the autumn colors gradually make their way down from the mountaintops to the foothills, creating a changing “foliage relay” that you can enjoy throughout the season. In October, when the first snow falls on the Northern Alps, you might even be able to witness the “three-tiered foliage”—a breathtaking sight of white snow at the summit, red foliage mid-mountain, and green at the base.
Within the village’s vast 2,600-meter elevation difference, there are many spots where the autumn colors look different depending on the altitude and direction you’re facing. This means you can see a variety of colors in a single day just by visiting different places.
Here are some of the most popular autumn foliage spots.
Enjoy the great outdoors at Tsugaike Nature Park, whether you’re alone or with others!
One of the recommended spots for autumn colors is Tsugaike Nature Park.
Located in the western part of Otari Village at the foot of the Northern Alps, Tsugaike Nature Park is a highland marsh within the Chubu-Sangaku National Park. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,900m, it is a famous nature observation area with views of the Hakuba Three Peaks and the Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range.
Every year from mid-September, the colors begin to appear in the marsh grasses, and from early to mid-October, the mountain is blanketed in a vivid contrast of fiery red nanakamado and maple trees against the yellow of Erman’s birch. On a clear autumn day, you can witness the breathtaking scene of a blue sky, white mountain peaks, and the fiery red foliage all in one view.
The well-maintained boardwalks have a gentle elevation change and some sections are even wheelchair accessible, making it safe and easy for beginners and families to enjoy. Additionally, you can access the park by using the Tsugaike Ropeway (gondola lift + ropeway), so you don’t need any special mountain climbing gear to visit.
At the peak of the autumn season, many tourists visit the park to take photos, sketch, and observe nature.
・Park Open: June 7 (Sat) – November 3 (Mon, public holiday)
(Closed from Oct 27 (Mon) to Oct 31 (Fri) due to suspension of the Tsugaike Ropeway)
・Admission Fee: Adults 320 yen, Children 260 yen
・Official Website: https://sizenen.otarimura.com/about/
To protect the environment of Chubu-Sangaku National Park, please use the Tsugaike Ropeway to access the park.
・Fare (incl. park admission): Adults 4,000 yen, Children 2,200 yen
・Official Website: https://www.tsugaike.gr.jp/green/ropeway
The Brocade Forest Reflected on the Water. Autumn at Kamaike Pond!
Another popular autumn foliage spot in Otari Village is “Kamaike Pond.” Located in the northeastern part of the village, within the Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, Kamaike Pond is a tranquil body of water at the foot of Mt. Amakazari.
Situated at an altitude of 1,190m, the 2km walking trail is surrounded by a primeval beech forest. The pond is also home to carp and trout, and on rare occasions, you can see a giant carp, referred to as the “master of the pond,” leisurely swimming.
On quiet mornings, the calm surface of the water perfectly reflects the autumn colors and mountain slopes, creating a prime photo opportunity. The sight of fog and the morning sun overlapping with the foliage is one of the reasons many photographers come from all over the country.
With a well-maintained 2km walking path, anyone can enjoy the autumn scenery. It takes about 40 minutes to walk around the entire pond, allowing you to fully appreciate the crisp autumn air.
New! Enjoy a Refreshing “Foot Bath” with Ice Water This Summer
A new spot has opened at the base of the mountain this summer.
Want to cool down your tired feet after a hike? Take a dip in the new footbath (ice bath) that opened in August 2025, which uses melted snow from the Northern Alps. The cold water will leave your feet feeling refreshed and revitalized. It also doubles as a footbath in the winter, making it a great spot to visit as the seasons change.
There are also many restaurants in the surrounding area, making it a perfect spot for a break during your hike.
・Location: Gondola Lift “Eve” Base Area
・Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
・Fee: Free
Autumn Flavors! Introducing Recommended Spots Nearby
Autumn in Otari Village isn’t just about the foliage. There are many restaurants, from places to eat before or after a hike to cafes for a short break. We’d like to introduce a popular shop that specializes in gelato made with local ingredients.
Otarian Gelato
The shop is famous for its classic “Soba Gelato,” made with buckwheat seeds, and “Sake Lees Gelato,” made with sake lees from local sake brands “Amakazariyama” and “Otarinishiki.” The rich milk gelato is also a popular favorite. Additionally, they offer seasonal gelato flavors using fruits and vegetables from Otari Village and Nagano Prefecture, such as kiwi berries, wild grapes, chestnuts, mugwort, and corn. The chance to discover a new flavor with every visit is part of its charm.
・Location: 16107-1 Nakatsuchi, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano
・Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
・Parking: Available
・Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otarian_gelato/
Please come and experience autumn in Otari Village, where you can enjoy both the beautiful foliage and the delicious flavors of the season!
Access & Contact Otari Village Tourism Federation
・Address: 131 Nakaotari Hei, Otari Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture (within the Otari Village Office)
・Official HP: https://info-otari.jp/
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otari_nagano_japan/
・Tel: 0261-82-2233
・Fax: 0261-82-2242
・Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK8QWdgiS4h603CbgPiGHmg
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
