<p>When you leave the waterfall, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens is highly recommended.</p>

When you leave the waterfall, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens is highly recommended. (Photo: Radica Sooknarine)

An Amazing Autumn Awaits in Akiu

Akiu: a natural paradise in all its splendor

Radica Sooknarine Oct 08, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>When you leave the waterfall, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens is highly recommended.</p>

<p>There are some very cute decorations to greet you as you reach Akiu.</p>

<p>A magnificent view of Nature's colors overhead.</p>

<p>A lone building stands amidst all this beauty.</p>

<p>More shades of autumn.</p>

<p>Over yonder is a beautiful view of the bridge.</p>

<p>When I looked up at this tree, I saw the gold peeking in from the tree behind. How lovely they blended in together!</p>

<p>The magnificence of Akiu Falls.</p>

<p>Walking alongside the running water here, it's easy to get lost in thought.</p>

<p>Often we just look at things that are eye-level, and we miss the magnificence above us.</p>

<p>This caught my eye as I was walking along the road. I had to zoom in because of how tiny the plants were, but I'm glad I did because they are so beautiful!</p>

<p>Akiu has an abundance of beautiful flora.  </p>

<p>Don't feed the monkeys! One of the more interesting signs along the way.</p>

<p>Shades of autumn.</p>

<p>A shot of the greenery in Akiu.</p>

Akiu is well known for its onsens, but do you know that it's also one of the most beautiful places around Sendai where you can enjoy "koyo" or Autumn leaves? An autumn trek to Akiu makes for a wonderful day trip as you can enjoy an easy hike to the Akiu Otaki Falls followed by a walk through the Akiu Otaki Botanical Gardens.The view is absolutely beautiful and it is guaranteed to make you exclaim in awe. I had missed the peak of the autumn colors, but they were still amazing! The best time to view the changing leaves in Akiu is mid-October to early November.

Radica Sooknarine

Radica Sooknarine @radica.sooknarine

I currently teach English in Sendai City. Whenever possible, I seek out adventures in this enchanting country.