・Umenoki Todoro Park Suspension Bridge
・Gokanosho Heike no Sato
・Momigi Suspension Bridge
・Enkianthus campanulatus in front of Tenryoan
・Sendan Todoro Falls

Gokanosho, surrounded by the Kyushu Central Mountains with elevations of 1,300 to 1,700 meters, is one of the prefecture's leading spots for viewing autumn foliage, even making the news during the season. Home to a long history, the most notable of which a legendary story of a Heike warrior fleeing here, and about a two-hour drive from the city center, this truly is the hidden gem of Yatsushiro. Go to Gokanosho in early November to witness the brilliant scenery of the autumn leaves.

During the Autumn Leaves Festival, one-way traffic will be restricted on part of National Route 445 heading towards Gokanosho. 
As you pass through Misato Town from Kumamoto City and head towards Gokanosho via National Route 445, the mountains will begin to turn red and yellow. The trees lining the road turn red and yellow, and the brightly colored leaves will make you exclaim, "So beautiful!"

Umenoki Todoro Park is home to the longest suspension bridge in Gokanosho, at 116 meters long. Located right next to Route 445, this suspension bridge that connects the mountains does not use a single rope in its construction and has no pillars or other obstructions to block the view, so it appears to be floating in the air.

After crossing the suspension bridge and walking down the promenade for about 15 minutes, you will see Umenoki Todoro. In the Gokanosho area, waterfalls are called "Todoro" and, along with Sendan Todoro, this is one of the most representative waterfalls in Izumi Village, Yatsushiro City. The waterfall, which descends in multiple tiers, is 38 meters high, which you can view up close from the bottom.

There is a legend in Gokanosho that Tamamushi Gozen, a court lady who had a fan shot down by Nasu no Yoichi during the Genpei War, changed her name and fled to this area. Heike no Sato has a museum exhibiting the legend of the Heike clan, a Noh stage where you can enjoy traditional performing arts and "Noh" related to the Heike clan, and old thatched-roof houses, and introduces the history and lifestyle of the fugitives of that time.

The red of the autumn leaves stands out against the traditional Japanese buildings, including the old folk house and the Noh stage.

There is also a restaurant on the premises, where you can enjoy wild vegetable dishes and handmade soba noodles in an old folk house with a thatched roof.

It would be fun to bring a packed lunch and have a picnic in the square while admiring the autumn leaves.

Momigi Suspension Bridge refers to two parent-child suspension bridges made from local cedar and chestnut wood. Previously, Kazurabashi Bridge was used as a local route, but in 1988, the new bridge was built for tourism purposes.
The upper bridge is called Ayatori (Cat's Cradle) Bridge, and the lower bridge is called Shakunage (Rhododendron) Bridge.

Cat's Cradle Bridge

"There are two parking lots, and from the one on the Heike no Sato side you can reach the bridge in less than five minutes.
The bridge is shaky when you walk across it, but the footing is solid, so you can enjoy the view while crossing."

Rhododendron Bridge

In front of the restaurant "Tenryoan" near the Momigi Suspension Bridge, the enkianthus trees that grow to twice the height of a person are in full bloom.
One side of the road is dyed red, giving it a different charm from the maples. 

Sendan Todoro Falls can also be seen from the observation deck along the road.
A 20-minute walk down the promenade will take you right up to the powerful waterfall, where you can feel the spray of the nearby falls. The unobstructed straight waterfall cascades down in one go, creating a spectacular sight.