Autumn at Heike no Sato

The folk village of Heike no Sato, hidden away in the mountains of Kumamoto's Gokanosho region, recounts the history of the Heike clan and their flight from the Genji after the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. But the village's biggest draw is its stunning display of fall foliage. In early November, the area's many maples turn crimson and gold, making this one of Kyushu's top leaf-peeping destinations. However, the area's relative inaccessability means that even on autumn weekends, the crowds are never overwhelming.