Autumn at Mt. Daisen's Beech Forest

Magical forests in golden hue in the beautiful mountain

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Mt. Daisen in autumn colors seen from Kagikake Mountain Pass 30 minutes after sunrise

When you pass through the Kagikake Mountain Pass on the Daisen Beltway, you'll get into beech forests along the 'Third Stream', 'Second Stream' and 'First Stream'

Although it's dense, this beech forest doesn't look scrubby

Divine sunshine beaming through autumn leaves

All around you, for 360-degrees, everything is colored in gold. Autumn colors without red are unique, but strangely relaxing

The beech forests in Mt. Daisen are the largest in west Japan

Usually, Daisen Beltway is not busy, but in autumn many people in cars are on the road to see these beautiful leaves

Look down and you'll find another kind of beauty here

You may get dizzy from the height of the bridge but the view from here deserves a little battle with dizziness and fear of heights

The best place to see the vermilion colors of Mt. Daisen is either from Kimendai Observation Deck or from Kagikake Mountain Pass Observation Deck. However, if you arrive late you won't be able to find a parking space. I arrived at Kagikake Mountain Pass Observation Deck before sunrise, but I had to give up going to the other observation deck. This spot is especially popular during autumn foliage season. After I arrived, I waited patiently for the sunrise to come, and slowly, the sky in the east began to turn white, and it became brighter and brighter by the minute. Just in front of me, the jagged rocky surface of the mountain was little by little brought into shape, and halfway down, the mountain was dressed up in multi-colored autumn leaves. What an amazing sight! (Photos were taken on November 6th, 2011)

Nature of Mt.Daisen and Mt. Hiruzen at Daisen-Oki National Park 1. Diamond Sun Rising from Mt. Daisen 2. Autumn at Mt. Daisen's Beech Forest 3. Beautiful Gorge of Mt. Daisen