[Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture] Autumn leaves special feature! Touring the Tamba maples
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In the naturally rich city of Tamba, the mountains change color in autumn and beautiful autumn foliage can be enjoyed here and there. One of the most famous spots for autumn foliage is the "Tamba Maple Tour of 12 Temples," where the vibrant leaves decorate the temple grounds and attract many tourist...
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Table of Contents
- Enjoy autumn in Tamba! Tamba Maple Tour 12 Temples
- No. 1 Kogenji Temple - The tunnel of autumn leaves is so beautiful you will be moved -
- No. 2 Entsuji Temple - The "upside-down autumn leaves" reflected on the water surface are popular -
- No. 3 Iwatakiji Temple - The 20m high Tokko Falls is a must-see
- No. 4 Tatsushinji Temple - An ancient temple with many remaining Buddhist statues and many hidden mysteries
- No. 5 Takao-ji Temple ~You can't help but take photos! Photogenic scenery~
- No. 6 Byakugoji Temple - Be enchanted by the nine-foot wisteria in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn! Also check out the drum bridge over the pond -
- No. 7 Sekiganji Temple - A long approach lined with autumn leaves gives you a walking course to experience autumn.
- No.8 Koshinaya Kannon - A famous autumn foliage spot surrounded by tranquility at the foot of the mountain -
- No. 9 Enichiji Temple - The view from the corridor is like a painting
- No. 10 Sanpoji Temple - The beautiful scattered autumn leaves dyeing the main hall a deep red -
- No. 11 Jyotakiji Temple - Approximately 70 maple trees and a large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 1,300 years old -
- No. 12 Katsuragi-ji Temple - A "flower temple" that is captivating with flowers of every season
- A must-see spot in Tamba when taking a break from viewing the autumn leaves!
- summary
Enjoy autumn in Tamba! Tamba Maple Tour 12 Temples
The "Tamba Momiji Meguri" event will be held in Tamba city from November 1st to November 30th .
At this event, you can receive event-exclusive goshuin stamps at the 12 participating temples (for a fee). The limited goshuin stamps feature a vermilion stamp with a maple leaf design, and are recommended as a memento of your visit to Tamba in autumn.
During this season of beautiful autumn leaves, why not visit the temples of Tanba City and collect special goshuin stamps? Enjoy the scenic autumn scenery of Tanba City.
How to get to Tanba City
We introduce how to get to Tamba City from major cities.
A car is convenient for visiting the 12 temples
The temples participating in the Tamba Momiji Pilgrimage are scattered all over the city, so we recommend traveling by car.
As a guideline, you can visit about three temples in one day. Therefore, if you are coming by train or express bus, we recommend renting a car or taking a taxi to make your trip smoother.
The best time to see autumn leaves in Tanba City
The best time to see the flowers is from early to mid-November every year.
▶Information on the best viewing times can be found on the Tanba City Tourism Association website.
No. 1 Kogenji Temple - The tunnel of autumn leaves is so beautiful you will be moved -
Kogenji Temple is located in Aogaki Town in the northern part of Tamba City, and is a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves that attracts many tourists in the fall.
Approximately 200 maple trees, including Tenmoku maples, paint the grounds vibrantly, and the approach from the main gate to the mountain gate is covered in a tunnel of autumn leaves.
The temple has many stairs, so we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Temples around Kogenji Temple
・No. 12 Jyotaki-ji Temple ... 7 minutes by car west from Kogen-ji Temple
・No. 2 Entsuji Temple ... 17 minutes by car south from Kogenji Temple
・No. 3 Iwataki-ji Temple ... 19 minutes by car south from Kogen-ji Temple
No. 2 Entsuji Temple - The "upside-down autumn leaves" reflected on the water surface are popular -
Entsu-ji Temple is located in Hikami Town, in the central part of Tamba City, and was founded in 1382 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu at the imperial command of Emperor Go-En'yu.
The autumn leaves around the pond can be enjoyed from early to mid-November, and the maple tunnel near the entrance to the shrine can be enjoyed from mid to late November, offering different spectacular views between early and late November.
The temple is also popular for the sound of the suikinkutsu (water chimes) in front of the main hall.
Temples around Entsuji Temple
・No. 1 Kogenji Temple ... 17 minutes by car north from Entsuji Temple
・No. 3 Iwataki-ji Temple ... 8 minutes by car east from Entsu-ji Temple
・No. 5 Takayama-ji Temple ... 10 minutes by car south from Entsu-ji Temple
・No. 4: Tatsushinji Temple ... 15 minutes by car southwest from Entsuji Temple (passing through Kozanji Temple)
No. 3 Iwatakiji Temple - The 20m high Tokko Falls is a must-see
Iwataki-ji Temple is a nunnery in Hikami Town, located in the central part of Tamba City. During the Heian period, Emperor Saga had Kobo Daishi build a temple here.
In autumn, the bright red leaves that stand out against the thatched roof of the main hall attract visitors with a charming sight. The approach to the temple that runs along the valley from the temple grounds to Tokko Falls allows you to experience the four seasons of nature, so why not enjoy a stroll while listening to the sound of the clear stream flowing?
It is about a 5-minute walk from the temple grounds to Tokko Falls. The approach to the temple along the valley is slippery when wet, so please wear non-slip shoes.
Temples around Iwataki-ji Temple
・No. 1 Kogenji Temple ... 18 minutes by car north from Iwatakiji Temple
・No. 2 Entsuji Temple ... 8 minutes by car west from Iwatakiji Temple
・No. 3 Takayama-ji Temple ... 11 minutes by car south from Iwataki-ji Temple
・No. 4: Tatsushinji Temple ... 16 minutes by car southwest from Iwatakiji Temple (passing through Kozanji Temple)
No. 4 Tatsushinji Temple - An ancient temple with many remaining Buddhist statues and many hidden mysteries
This temple is located in Hikami town, in the central part of Tamba city.
Also known as the "Shosoin of Tanba," it houses many Buddhist statues. The statues are designated as Important Cultural Properties, and the temple is popular with visitors in seasons other than autumn.
The mountain behind Tatsushinji Temple is planted with Nomura maples and Enkianthus campanulatus, and in autumn the entire mountain is dyed a wine red. When the setting sun hits it, the colors become even more vibrant, so we recommend visiting in the afternoon.
Temples around Tatsushinji Temple
・No. 5 Takayama-ji Temple ... 10 minutes by car east from Tatsushin-ji Temple
・No. 2 Entsuji Temple ... 15 minutes by car northeast from Tatsushinji Temple (passing through Kozanji Temple)
・No. 3 Iwataki-ji Temple ... 17 minutes by car northeast from Tatsushin-ji Temple (passing through Kozan-ji Temple)
No. 5 Takao-ji Temple ~You can't help but take photos! Photogenic scenery~
Kozan-ji Temple, located in Hikami Town in the central part of Tamba City, was founded by the hermit Hodo in 761.
The combination of the vermilion-painted mountain gate and the crimson-colored maple leaves creates a magnificent sight, and the scenery created by the lanterns lined up on both sides of the approach to the temple and the autumn leaves is also said to be beautiful.
Not only when a bright red tunnel of autumn leaves is formed, but also when the fallen leaves start to become more noticeable, the view of the approach to the shrine looks like a red carpet has been laid out, making it a must-see photo spot for photography enthusiasts.
Temples around Takayama-ji Temple
・No. 2 Entsuji Temple ... 10 minutes by car north from Takayama-ji Temple
・No. 3 Iwataki-ji Temple ... 11 minutes by car north from Takayama-ji Temple
・No. 4, Tatsushinji Temple... 10 minutes by car west from Takayama-ji Temple
No. 6 Byakugoji Temple - Be enchanted by the nine-foot wisteria in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn! Also check out the drum bridge over the pond -
This temple is located in Ichijima-cho, in the northern part of Tanba City. It is an ancient Tendai sect temple founded in 705, standing with the Tanba mountain range at its back.
There is an arched bridge over the Shinji Pond in the temple grounds, which is shaped like the character for heart. The front side of the bridge represents our secular world, while the other side represents the enlightened world of the Buddhas, and the steepness of the bridge represents the difficulty of the path to enlightenment.
In autumn, the bright red autumn leaves are accented by the yellow soapberry trees, creating a magnificent Nishiki scenery. You will be soothed by the maple leaves that have fallen into the pond, the graceful swimming carp, and the pleasant sounds of the water.
Temples around Byakugoji Temple
・No. 12 Katsuragi-ji Temple ... 13 minutes by car south from Byakugo-ji Temple
No. 7 Sekiganji Temple - A long approach lined with autumn leaves gives you a walking course to experience autumn.
This temple is located in Yamanami Town, in the southern part of Tamba City.
Sekiganji Temple has many things to see, including the autumn leaves and the Niomon Gate, which has a sense of history. The view from the main hall is famous for being amazing, but the view looking up from the bottom of the stone steps is also breathtaking.
The main hall is quite some distance from the parking lot, so we recommend taking a leisurely stroll while enjoying the autumn leaves along the approach to the temple.
Temples around Sekiganji Temple
・No. 8 Koshinaya Kannon Temple ... 15 minutes by car northeast from Sekiganji Temple
・No. 9 Enichiji Temple ... 19 minutes by car northwest from Sekiganji Temple
No.8 Koshinaya Kannon - A famous autumn foliage spot surrounded by tranquility at the foot of the mountain -
This temple is located in Yamanami Town in the southern part of Tamba City, and its distinctive red flag is its defining feature.
Koaraya Kannon is surrounded by lush greenery and nature. The clear stream flowing through the temple grounds and the beauty of the crimson autumn leaves combine to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Behind the temple is the trailhead for Mt. Ishikane, and many people stop by to pray before climbing the mountain.
Temples around Koaraya Kannon
・No. 7 Sekiganji Temple ... 15 minutes by car southwest from Koshinaya Kannon Temple
・No. 10 Sanpoji Temple ... 21 minutes by car north from Koshinaya Kannon Temple
No. 9 Enichiji Temple - The view from the corridor is like a painting
This temple is located in Yamanami-cho, in the southern part of Tanba City. The Enichi-ji Temple Buddha Hall, a prefectural designated cultural asset, is a one-bay, one-story, cypress-bark-roofed gabled building in a nearly completely Zen style, rare in the prefecture. The five buildings of Enichi-ji Temple (the abbot's chamber, the kuri, the rear gate, the sutra repository, and the bell tower) are registered as national tangible cultural properties.
The building is famous for its quaint architecture and the gardens are also wonderful, and the autumn leaves seen from the walkway are like a painting. The way the desks placed inside the building capture the autumn leaves in the garden is also beautiful, and any angle you take is picturesque.
Temples around Enichiji Temple
・No. 7 Sekiganji Temple ... 19 minutes by car southeast from Enichiji Temple
・No. 8 Koshinaya Kannon Temple ... 21 minutes by car west from Enichiji Temple
No. 10 Sanpoji Temple - The beautiful scattered autumn leaves dyeing the main hall a deep red -
This temple is located in Kashiwara-cho, in the central part of Tamba City. The temple grounds, with their mountain gate, bell tower, and autumn leaves in front of the main hall, are befitting of a Zen temple, and the dry landscape gardens and cedar moss create a calming atmosphere. The principal image is an eleven-headed Kannon Bodhisattva, said to have been created about 1,000 years ago, and was designated as a cultural asset of Tamba City in 2023.
In autumn, a large maple tree in front of the main hall turns a fiery red, captivating its presence. In contrast, there is a small raccoon figurine at the base of the tree. Its adorable appearance is heartwarming and soothing.
The fallen autumn leaves stand out beautifully against the green moss, so you can enjoy them for a long period of time until they have finished falling.
Temples around Sanpoji Temple
・No. 8 Koshinaya Kannon Temple ... 22 minutes by car south from Sanpoji Temple
No. 11 Jyotakiji Temple - Approximately 70 maple trees and a large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 1,300 years old -
This temple is located in Aogaki Town in the northern part of Tamba City, and within the grounds are the Nodding Jizo, one of the Three Great Buddhas of Japan, the Dementia-Preventing Kannon, the Kurikara Dragon King statue, and the Sand-Stepping Temple of the 88 Temples of Shikoku.
In autumn, the temple grounds are dyed red with autumn leaves, but on the mountainside behind the temple, a large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 1,300 years old bathes the area in yellow. The trunk of the large ginkgo tree, designated as a natural monument of Hyogo Prefecture, is over 11 meters in circumference. Its power, strength, and overwhelming presence are indescribable, and you can't help but feel a mysterious power.
It takes about 30 minutes to climb from the temple grounds to the Great Ginkgo Tree. The hiking trail is well maintained, but we recommend that you wear hiking boots or other non-slip shoes when climbing.
Temples around Jyotaki-ji Temple
・No. 1 Kogenji Temple... 6 minutes by car east from Jyotakiji Temple
・No. 3 Iwataki-ji Temple ... 21 minutes by car southeast from Jyotaki-ji Temple
No. 12 Katsuragi-ji Temple - A "flower temple" that is captivating with flowers of every season
This temple is located in Kasuga-cho, in the central part of Tamba city. The principal image is Amida Nyorai, with the attendant deities being Kannon Bodhisattva and Seishi Bodhisattva. Other deities enshrined include the Bentendo Hall, Kannon Hall, Akayama Myojin Shrine, and Fukurokuju (one of the New Tamba Seven Lucky Gods).
Within the grounds, various flowers such as cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and nine-foot wisteria bloom, and you can also enjoy the autumn leaves that paint the grounds red.
It is located about a 5-minute drive from Kasuga IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, making it easy to visit.
Temples around Katsuragi-ji Temple
・No. 6 Byakugoji Temple ... 13 minutes by car north from Katsuragi Temple
[5 minutes by car from Katsuragi Temple] Recommended for purchasing souvenirs!
At the "Tamba Obaachan no Sato Roadside Station" located just off Kasuga IC, you can find souvenirs such as agricultural products, sweets, and alcohol from Tamba City. There is also a food court and large playground equipment, so you can enjoy yourself however you like.
A must-see spot in Tamba when taking a break from viewing the autumn leaves!
■The Tanba City Tourism Association website provides information on Tanba City's tourist spots and the latest information!! Be sure to check it out!!
■Tamba City Tourism Department Official Website "SATURDAYTAMBA"
We report on long-established shops, newly opened shops, workshops and seasonal tourist spots! Please take a look!
■Tamba City Tourism Division Official Instagram "SATURDAYTAMBA"
We bring you the latest in Tamba, including delicious food and beautiful scenery!
summary
On the "Tamba Momiji Tour," you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves and special limited edition goshuin stamps while touring 12 temples in Tamba City. Enjoy the history and scenery of each temple and fully enjoy autumn in Tamba. And take this opportunity to visit many temples and spend a spiritually enriching time.
We look forward to seeing you all.
Written by
We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockle, rock oysters, and white squid in summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. It is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. We would be happy to visit the vast Northern Kinki region many times and provide information that will help you take a railway journey.
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