From the observation deck at the top of Hida's Mount Anbou, visitors can experience one of the most majestic natural occurrences. Asagiri or morning fog, is something which Hida Furukawa does well and on the right day and the stars align you can witness the whole area of Hida and surrounding mountains such as Mount Ontake and the Hakusan mountain range be enveloped in swirling clouds of fog.
From early morning until about 10am on days where there is no wind and is sunny, the air and then fog accumulates at the mountain basin and then creates this awesome natural wonder. From the wooden observation deck on Mount Anbou (Anbousan, 安峰山) people can wonder at this rare opportunity and it's also a great spot for taking photographs. Hida Furukawa is a naturally beautiful landscape and setting but when you add in this occurrence of morning fog or mist it's elevated to new heights. In autumn, especially, the colors of koyo (autumn leaves) are incandescent and with rolling clouds of fog simmering in the foreground the sight is one which will stay with you forever. The surrounding mountain ranges and the pretty town of Hida Furukawa seem to become magical with this fog and it looks, genuinely, like a picture postcard. It can be chilly on top of Mount Anbou, however, so it's always a good idea to bring warm clothing.
Surrounded by mountains, Hida Furukawa is one of the most perfect spots in Japan to experience the majestic natural occurrence of morning fog, or asagiri, in autumn. With a hike to the top of the c...
More about: Mount Anbou
The Furukawa Festival Exhibition Hall is a must-see for any visit to Hida Furukawa and offers perhaps the best chance to get to know what Hida is about. The Furukawa Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring, is Hida’s biggest annual festival held every April 19th–20th and is a...
If you’re staying in the Hida area for a couple of days, a hike up to the top of Mount Anbou is well recommended. Suitable for hikers of all levels, the summit can be reached in about 1–1.5 hours and is a fairly leisurely climb, with plenty of nature to admire along the way. The trailhead is a...