5 places to enjoy autumn leaves around Kinosaki Onsen

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• 1. Higashiyama Park in the Kinosaki Onsen Town
• 2. Izushi Castle Town Area | "Izushi Castle and Arikoyama Shrine"
• 3. Izushi Castle Town Area | "Sukyoji Temple"
• 4. Kannabe Highlands Area | "Ginkgo Tree Line of Kannabe Highlands"
• 5. Tanto Area | "Ankokuji Temple"

1. Higashiyama Park in the Kinosaki Onsen Town

About 10 minutes walk from the center of Kinosaki Onsen Town.
This is a spot where you can enjoy nature, located very close to the hot spring town.

The park's trailhead is a five-minute walk from Jizo-yu, one of the seven outdoor baths in Kinosaki Onsen. After passing through a tunnel of autumn leaves halfway up the slope, you'll reach the summit in about three minutes.

There is an observation deck at the top of the mountain, from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of not only Kinosaki Onsen town, but also the Maruyama River and the Sea of Japan. You can also see trains arriving at JR Kinosaki Onsen Station, making it a spot that will make you want to take a picture. In addition to the autumn leaves, there are many other ways to enjoy the mountain. [Best time to see: late November]

2. Izushi Castle Town Area | "Izushi Castle and Arikoyama Shrine"

From Kinosaki Onsen, you can reach Izushi Castle Town in 35 minutes by car.
This is a castle town famous for soba noodles. The old-fashioned streetscape remains and it is also called "Little Kyoto of Tajima", and at lunchtime it is crowded with people who come to enjoy soba noodles. One of the recommended spots to see autumn leaves in this area is "Izushi Castle Ruins".

You can enjoy a variety of autumn foliage from the view looking up from below the castle, the views of Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru, and Arikoyama Inari Shrine at the top. In particular, the approach to Arikoyama Inari Shrine is lined with 37 vibrant crimson torii gates, and the contrast with the maple, ginkgo, and green maple trees that grow around them makes it a great photo spot. Also, be sure to take a look at the yellow carpet at Morosugi Shrine, located next to the ruins of Izushi Castle. [Best time to see: late November]

Izushi Castle Ruins

3. Izushi Castle Town Area | "Sukyoji Temple"

Located about a 10-minute walk from the center of the Izushi area, Sokyoji Temple offers a solemn atmosphere where you can leisurely enjoy the autumn leaves. Once you leave the main hall in the temple grounds, you can stroll through the garden, where you will be greeted by Enkianthus campanulatus and colorful autumn leaves.

Sokyoji Temple is also known as "Takuan Temple" and has been worshiped as the family temple of the lords of Izushi Castle for generations. Many items related to the monk Takuan remain within the temple, including the garden and the Dream Bell designed by Takuan. [Best time to visit: mid- to late November]

Sukyoji Temple

4. Kannabe Highlands Area | "Ginkgo Tree Line of Kannabe Highlands"

Get off at Hidaka Kannabe Kogen IC on the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway and arrive at Kannabe Kogen in 15 minutes.
The Kannabe Kogen area is home to the roadside station "Kannabe Kogen," the Kannabe Onsen "Yutorogi," a campsite, and a ski resort. Near the roadside station "Kannabe Kogen," there is a row of beautifully maintained ginkgo trees. During the autumn foliage season, many visitors take pictures of the rows of about 100 ginkgo trees. [Best time to see: late October to early November]

*This is a public road, so please refrain from parking on the street.
*Please be careful of passing cars even when walking around.

Kannabe Highlands

5. Tanto Area | "Ankokuji Temple"

Ankokuji Temple is located in the Tando area, a 45-minute drive from Kinosaki Onsen.
The crimson Enkianthus campanulatus, visible beyond the main hall and the tatami room, is a stunningly beautiful tree that is about 150 years old and 10m in both height and width. The view framed by the sliding doors of the tatami room is enchanting, as if you were looking at a painting in a frame. It is also famous for being able to take photos in which you appear as a silhouette and step into the painting. [Best time to see: early to mid-November]

Ankokuji Temple