When it comes to Sendai's scenic attractions, most people think of Matsushima Coast or Akiu Onsen, but did you know? Starting from downtown Sendai and heading east along National Route 48, there are several hidden autumn routes—with stunning red foliage tunnels, and the local cuisine along the way is the key highlight. As a guide who leads over 200 tours to Japan annually, I highly recommend this "autumn-only" route combining nature and cuisine for those wanting to experience Tohoku in depth.
Highlights: The Autumn-Exclusive Red and Yellow Layers
The best time for autumn foliage viewing in Sendai is from mid-October to mid-November. During this period, the mountains around the city transform from green to yellow to red, creating a rare "three-color gradient" landscape in Tohoku. Compared to foliage viewing spots near Tokyo, the mountains around Sendai are higher, the temperature differences are greater, and the leaf colors are more vibrant.
More importantly, this route perfectly combines "traveling" and "eating"—after enjoying the red foliage, you can savor local cuisine that can only be found in the area. This "beautiful scenery paired with delicious food" experience is the greatest charm of traveling in Tohoku. According to 2025 tourism data, the average stay duration for international tourists in the Tohoku region has increased by 1.5 days compared to previous years, with "food experience" being one of the main reasons for extended stays.
Recommended Spots
1. Teigi Highland (Teigi Mountain)
Located in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Teigi Mountain stands at approximately 530 meters elevation and is the closest foliage viewing hidden spot to the city center. About a 40-minute drive from Sendai Station takes you to the "Teigi Mountain Parking Area," where the observation deck offers a panoramic view of downtown Sendai and the distant coastline. In autumn, beeches and maple trees intertwine to form a golden-red tunnel, perfect for backlit silhouette photography during evening hours. Notably, parking here is free, but it gets crowded on weekends, so it's recommended to visit on weekday mornings. Nearby is "Teigi Teahouse" where you can enjoy local matcha and wagashi, and while resting, appreciate the courtyard-style dry landscape garden.
2. Oshu Kaido Lake Toya Area (Self-Drive Required)
If you're willing to drive north, about an hour's drive from Sendai, the Oshu Kaido route hides even more surprises. The foliage viewing feature here is the "forest trail"—golden carpet of fallen leaves covering the path, rustling beneath your feet, a sensory experience only possible in autumn. It is recommended to stop at the trail near "Yamabushi Village," which was once a training ground for high priests and is now a favorite spot among backpackers. The roadside farm product direct-sale shops often have seasonal apples and pears available for immediate purchase and consumption, with average prices between ¥200-¥350, quite reasonable.
3. Return Route from Teigi Highland to Sendai City Center
On the way back, it's recommended to take the "Sendai West Ring Road," which has several locally-recommended beef tongue restaurants. "Tajitayasuke" is the pioneering classic shop for Sendai beef tongue, using locally-raised brand-name cattle, with roasting methods following traditional techniques from 50 years ago. A beef tongue set meal (including salted beef tongue, millet rice, and clear soup) costs approximately ¥2,200-¥2,800, which is reasonable local consumption given Japan's ongoing price increases.
4. Yuri Coast (Katsura Island)
If you want to see the ocean in addition to foliage viewing, the Yuri Coast, about a 30-minute drive from Teigi Mountain, is another hidden gem. This area was rebuilt after the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake and now has brand-new breakwaters and walking paths. Taking photos of the sunset here in autumn evenings, the ocean and sky present an orange-red gradient, which is quite spectacular. The Yuri area has several small eateries offering fresh seafood set meals, priced between ¥1,500-¥2,200, with the key point being that all fish is locally caught on the same day.
5. Sakunami Onsen Okina Hall
The final destination is Sakunami Onsen located on the north side of Teigi Mountain, which is Sendai's most representative "toji-ba"—a traditional hot spring retreat. Okina Hall was established in 1876, a hot spring inn from the Meiji era, and the building itself has been designated as a tangible cultural property. In autumn, the maple leaves reflected in the open-air hot spring pool are called "maple leaf open-air bath." After bathing, try "imo-ni" (the traditional Taro potato stew of the Tohoku region), about ¥800 per bowl, quite warming.
Practical Information
Regarding transportation, you can take the "Sendai Kayado Bus" from Sendai Station to Teigi Mountain, or drive yourself. Renting a car is recommended since bus schedules are limited (about every 1-2 hours), and driving gives you more flexibility. National Route 48 is in good condition, but fog is common in autumn, so please use fog lights when driving.
For admission, the Teigi Mountain observation deck offers free parking and free admission; the day-use hot spring at Okina Hall costs ¥1,200 (Monday to Friday), ¥1,400 (weekends and national holidays).
Business hours: Teigi Teahouse 10:00-17:00 (closed Wednesdays); Okina Hall 10:00-21:00; seafood eateries approximately 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00.
Travel Tips
First, it's recommended to schedule your foliage viewing for late October to early November, when the leaf colors are most vibrant. Second, the temperature difference in the Tohoku region in autumn can reach 15 degrees, so layered clothing is recommended. Finally, and most importantly—since there have been some changes to China-Japan flights recently, if you're traveling from Taiwan or Hong Kong, it's recommended to book your flight at least 2 weeks in advance and purchase refundable tickets just in case.
Additionally, if you have questions about Japanese cultural taboos, the Tohoku region is more conservative than Tokyo—remember to wash your hands before entering shrines, don't wear swimwear inside hot springs, and avoid taking photos facing the shrine altar. Observing these basic etiquette rules will ensure a smooth journey.
This "autumn-exclusive" route combines four elements: red foliage, hot springs, ocean views, and cuisine, which is exactly what I recommend to readers who want to "deeply and slowly" explore Sendai. If you're willing to slow down and spend 2 days and 1 night traveling from Teigi Mountain to Sakunami Onsen, I'm sure you'll have a different understanding of the city of Sendai.
