Autumn colors at Mt. Tanigawa and Ichinokura-sawa

On Mt. Tanigawa, the slopes above Tenjindaira (1,319 m) turn first. The tourist office's usual timing is around Oct 5 between Tenjindaira and Tenjin Pass, and mid-October from Doai-guchi Station up to Tenjindaira. Its Oct 13 report had Tenjindaira at peak, with the ropeway line and Ichinokura-sawa "turning, nearly at peak."

Park in the Doai-guchi garage (floors 1–5 are ¥1,000 from Sep 19 to Nov 3; vehicles 2.1 meters or taller park outside). Gondolas take roughly 15 minutes to reach Tenjindaira at 1,319 meters. A chairlift continues to Tenjin Pass, where an observation deck gives a 360-degree view.

Back at the bottom, Ichinokura-sawa's rock walls are off-limits to private cars, but an electric bus runs there with a guide who talks about the area's history and nature. Near the station, the Tanigawadake Mountain Museum shows vintage climbing gear and Himalayan climbing records. The same valley holds Doai Station, whose downbound platform sits 462 steps below the station building.