Special One-Day Tour: Experience the Autumn Colors of Shirakami Sanchi
A special one-day tour to experience the autumn colors of Shirakami Sanchi will take place on October 31, 2026, starting and ending at Odate-Noshiro Airport. Upon arrival, an Akita dog serving as the airport captain will welcome participants at the arrivals hall. The tour will be conducted in Japanese.
As the beech forests of the Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site turn shades of yellow and gold, participants can enjoy a day surrounded by autumn scenery, accompanied by an experienced local guide.
The tour is designed for travelers who want to discover Shirakami Sanchi without an overnight stay or the need to arrange local transportation themselves. Solo travelers and beginners are especially welcome, with approximately 2 km of walking included in the day’s itinerary.
For those traveling from Tokyo, ANA flights connect Haneda Airport with Odate-Noshiro Airport, making it possible to visit Shirakami Sanchi as part of a day trip. Flights are not included in the tour price and must be booked separately.
Tour Information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | October 31, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Destination | Shirakami Sanchi, Akita |
| Starting point | Odate-Noshiro Airport |
| Ending point | Odate-Noshiro Airport |
| Capacity | 20 participants |
| Tour price | ¥12,800 per person, including tax |
| Walking distance | Approximately 2 km |
| Guide | Professional local guide with more than 10 years of experience |
| Booking | Advance reservation required |
| Application deadline | October 18, 2026 |
| Airfare | Not included |
| Airport facility charges | Not included |
First come, first served. The tour will close once all 20 places are filled.
Highlights of the Tour
Walk through the autumn beech forest at Dakedai
One of the highlights of the day is a walk through the beech forest at Dakedai.
An experienced local guide with more than 10 years of guiding experience will accompany the group, explaining the forest and its natural environment along the way.
The route is approximately 2 km in total, allowing participants to enjoy the autumn scenery at a relaxed pace.
The timing of the autumn colors varies depending on weather and climate conditions.
Enjoy a local lunch
After arriving at Dakedai, enjoy lunch during your time in the forest.
Damakkoya will prepare an onigiri lunch box and warm mushroom soup for participants.
The simple local meal is a chance to enjoy seasonal flavors while taking a break from the forest walk.
Visit two waterfalls
After leaving Dakedai, the tour continues to Garō Falls and Choshi Falls.
Both waterfalls are surrounded by the area’s natural scenery and offer another opportunity to experience the landscape of the Shirakami region.
Shop for local products
The final stop is Mori no Eki, where you can browse local specialties and souvenirs before returning to Odate-Noshiro Airport.
A Tour for Solo Travelers and Beginners
You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to join this tour.
Solo travelers are welcome, including those who may be visiting Shirakami Sanchi for the first time.
With transportation, lunch, and a professional guide arranged as part of the tour, you can spend the day focusing on the scenery rather than planning the logistics yourself.
For anyone who has wondered, “Can I visit Shirakami Sanchi on my own?”, this tour offers a simple way to experience the area as part of a small group.
Coming from Tokyo?
The tour itself starts and ends at Odate-Noshiro Airport.
If you are traveling from Tokyo, you can arrange your own flight between Haneda Airport and Odate-Noshiro Airport and join the tour at the airport.
Important: Airfare and airport facility charges are not included in the ¥12,800 tour price. Participants must book and pay for their own flights separately.
The tour is also open to people who do not use the scheduled flights, so you can make your own way to Odate-Noshiro Airport if you are already traveling in northern Japan.
See Getting Here
Tour Schedule
10:30 — Depart Odate-Noshiro Airport
Meet at Odate-Noshiro Airport and board the dedicated tour bus.
Visit the Shirakami World Heritage Conservation Center
Travel to the Shirakami World Heritage Conservation Center, where you will meet the local guide and learn more about Shirakami Sanchi before continuing to Dakedai.
12:10 — Arrive at Dakedai
Enjoy lunch and take a guided walk through the beech forest.
Lunch: Onigiri lunch box and warm mushroom soup from Damakkoya.
15:30 — Depart Dakedai
Return to the tour bus and continue to the waterfall area.
16:20 — Waterfall Walk
Visit Garō Falls and Choshi Falls and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery.
17:00 — Mori no Eki
Browse local products and souvenirs.
The bus departs at approximately 17:20.
17:50 — Arrive at Odate-Noshiro Airport
Return to Odate-Noshiro Airport, where the tour ends.
Experience Shirakami Sanchi in Autumn
Autumn is a special time to visit the Shirakami area, when the beech forests begin to turn yellow and the landscape takes on a distinctly seasonal character.
This limited tour offers a straightforward way to spend a day in the forest with a local guide, enjoy a local lunch, visit waterfalls, and discover regional products—all without needing to arrange an overnight stay.
Whether you are traveling alone, visiting Shirakami Sanchi for the first time, or simply looking for a different autumn experience in Akita, this one-day tour is an opportunity to explore the area at a relaxed pace.
October 31, 2026 — 20 places only.
Reserve your place for the Shirakami Sanchi autumn tour
Please note that autumn foliage timing is dependent on weather and climate conditions. The tour itinerary may also be changed for safety reasons.