Autumn in Hyogo: 9 Scenic Fall Foliage Spots in Kobe, Himeji, and More

Amazing Fall Colors! Kobe, Himeji, and Other Locations in Hyogo

Hyogo Prefecture is home to many famous destinations like Himeji Castle, Kinosaki Onsen, and the port city of Kobe. In the autumn, the hills and fields turn deep hues of red and yellow, creating spectacular scenery in many places.

This article introduces stunning fall foliage viewing spots in Hyogo Prefecture divided into three categories: hideaway spots, temples, and scenic drives.

We also include the best viewing times as well as evening light-up information, so please continue reading right up until the very end.

Top Autumn Foliage Spots in Hyogo

Hideaway Autumn Leaf Spots in Hyogo
1. Kobe Municipal Arboretum
2. Kobe Suma Rikyu Park
3. Tonomine Kogen in Kamikawa
Enjoy the Fall Colors at Temples in Hyogo
4. Zuihoji Park in Kobe
5. Shoshazan Engyoji Temple in Himeji
6. Himeji Castle KOKO-EN Garden
Scenic Driving Spots for Viewing the Fall Colors in Hyogo
7. Royu Driveway in Kobe
8. Futatabi Park in Kobe
9. Banshu Kiyomizudera Temple in Kato City

Hideaway Autumn Leaf Spots in Hyogo

The following are secluded locations where you can enjoy the views all by yourself.

1. Kobe Municipal Arboretum

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Kobe Municipal Arboretum is a hideaway fall foliage spot where you can see both the red color of autumn leaves as well as the white color of jugatsuzakura―unique cherry blossoms that also bloom during the fall-winter season.

Here, the fall season arrives earlier than that of Kobe City. You can see a variety of trees including the maple tree family represented by the Iroha momiji maple trees.

There are various events such as Maple Forest Walks and Maple Forest Guided Tours led by arboretum staff, and also evening illuminations. So visitors can enjoy some romantic scenery.

Kobe Municipal Arboretum
Location: Kobe, Kita, Yamada, Kamitanigami, Nagao 1-2
Business Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage / SNS: Kobe Municipal Arboretum
Autumn Leaves Period: Early November to late November.
Light Up Information: November 3 - 30 (weekdays 16:30 - 18:30, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays 16:30 - 19:30)

2. Kobe Suma Rikyu Park

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Kobe Suma Rikyu Park has a wide variety of different gardens and facilities. Inside the botanical garden at Midori Falls, the leaves of the momiji maple trees hanging over the waterfall are reflected on the surface of the water, creating a myriad of colors.

The maple tree-lined path (Momiji Michi) further ahead is also worth seeing. This maple tree tunnel extends for about 150 meters and is very impressive.

There's also a kids playground with a jumbo slide and other play equipment, so we also recommend this spot for families.

Kobe Suma Rikyu Park
Location: Kobe, Suma, Higashisuma 1-1
Business Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage / SNS: Kobe Suma Rikyu Park
Autumn Leaves Period: Early November to early December.
Light Up Information: November 9 - December 8 (Sunset until 20:00, only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)

3. Tonomine Kogen in Kamikawa

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Tonomine Kogen is one of the top highlands in Western Japan. It's been designated as a prefectural natural park along with Mineyama, Yukihiko, and Ikuno Highlands.

In addition, it's also known as a location for the movie "Norwegian Woods," and the NHK TV historical dramas, "Kiyomori Taira" and "Gunshi Kanbei."

It's a truly impressive sight when the plateau gets carpeted in green during summer, and when the Japanese pampas grass turns the area into a golden color during autumn. So Tonomine Kogen shows its different faces throughout the year.

For those who'd like to explore on foot, one complete loop covers 3.1 kilometers and takes about 90 minutes. There are many slopes so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Tonomine Kogen
Location: Kamikawa, Kawakami 801
Business Hours: 24 hours a day
Official Homepage / SNS: Tonomine Kogen
Autumn Leaves Period: Late October to early November.
Light Up Information: Not available

Enjoy the Fall Colors at Temples in Hyogo

4. Zuihoji Park in Kobe

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Zuihoji Park is a splendid fall foliage spot where 2,500 trees turn a deep red color.

Famous samurai and feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi apparently once said that it was a garden he never got tired of looking at no matter how often he saw it. As a result, the park is also called Higurashi-no-Niwa, or "a garden enjoyable from morning to night."

Many visitors from all parts of the country come for autumn leaf viewing. Here you can enjoy some special scenery as the sun filters between the trees.

Zuihoji Park
Location: Kobe, Kita, Arimacho
Business Hours: 24 hours a day
Official Homepage / SNS: Zuihoji Park
Autumn Leaves Period: Early November to late November
Light Up Information: Undecided

5. Shoshazan Engyoji Temple in Himeji

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple is one of Himeji City's top sightseeing spots. It even served as a location for the movie, "The Last Samurai" and also for an NHK TV drama.

The temple is also known for being a fall foliage spot. In autumn, the precincts are decorated with the brilliant colors of the Kaede maple and ginkgo trees. This beautiful scenery featuring historic buildings and autumn leaves is well worth seeing.

A ropeway takes visitors from the base of Mt. Shosha all the way to the temple, so passengers can fully enjoy the fall colors from high above as well.

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
Location: Hyogo, Himeji, Shosha 2968
Business Hours: 8:30 - 17:00
Official Homepage / SNS: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
Autumn Leaves Period: Mid-November to late November.
Light Up Information: Not available

6. Himeji Castle KOKO-EN Garden

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden KOKO-EN is a Japanese garden with Himeji Castle as borrowed scenery.

The garden is spacious and covers 356,000 square feet. The scenery features an Edo Period-like atmosphere that is very popular. It's also used as a location for TV historical dramas.

Autumn leaf spots such as Cho-on-sai guest house and Garden with a Hill and Pond attract many visitors. At Restaurant Kassui-ken, diners can enjoy a relaxing meal as they take in the brilliant fall colors of the garden.

Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden KOKO-EN
Location: Hyogo, Himeji, Honmachi 68
Business Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage / SNS: KOKO-EN
Autumn Leaves Period: Mid-November to late November.
Light Up Information: November 15 (Fri) - December 1 (Sun), from sunset until 20:00. *Last park entry is 19:30.

Scenic Driving Spots for Viewing the Fall Colors in Hyogo

7. Royu Driveway in Kobe

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Royu Driveway is a toll road with beautiful scenery surrounded by the magnificent nature of Mt. Rokko. When autumn arrives you can enjoy the fall foliage all around you.

From the Ashiya Gate it takes about 20 minutes to reach Arima Onsen, and within 30 minutes you can arrive at Mt. Rokko. Some of Royu Driveway's highlights are as follows.
-Okuike Play Area: A spacious green area surrounded by a beautiful pine forest.
-Higashi Rokko Observation Deck: At an elevation of 645 meters, this is Higashi Rokko's top observation area.
-Arima Observation Deck: Offers outstanding views of the Arima Onsen area all the way to the Sanda City area.

We also recommend doing some sightseeing at the hot springs and observation deck as you take in the beautiful fall foliage.

Royu Driveway
Location: Hyogo, Ashiya, Okuike, Minamicho 34-1
Business Hours: 24 hours a day.
Official Homepage / SNS: Royu Driveway
Autumn Leaves Period: Mid-November to late November.
Light Up Information: Not available

8. Futatabi Park in Kobe

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Futatabi Park is located along Futatabi Driveway and is about 20 minutes away by car from Sannomiya, the heart of Kobe City. Here you can experience the changing seasons with the azaleas in the spring and the fall foliage in autumn.

Along with the nearby Kobe Municipal Arboretum (previously mentioned), Futatabi Park is known as a famous autumn leaf spot where visitors can enjoy the colorful trees.

The park is also a connecting point for some major hiking trails including the Rokko Mountain Range Trail and Taishi Trail. Inside the park you'll also find the Kobe Foreign Cemetary and the birthplace of afforestation on Mt. Rokko. So the park is also appealing in a historical sense.

Futatabi Park
Location: Hyogo, Kobe, Kita, Yamadacho, Shimotanikami
Business Hours: 24 hours a day (always open)
Official Homepage / SNS: Futatabi Park (Japanese), Kobe Travel Guide
Autumn Leaves Period: Mid-November to late November.
Light Up Information: Not available.

9. Banshu Kiyomizudera Temple in Kato City

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Banshu Kiyomizudera is a temple on Mt. Ontake that has been in existence for more than 1,300 years. It sits at an altitude of 552 meters, and due to the low temperatures, autumn arrives here at the summit on the temple grounds slightly earlier than it does at the mountain's base.

The precincts are about 1.3 times the size of Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The 1,000 maple trees turning into brilliant colors of deep red is a breathtaking sight and adds to the magnificent atmosphere.

It takes about 20 minutes to reach Banshu Kiyomizudera Temple from the Sanda-Nishi IC (Interchange) via the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, and about 20 minutes from the Hyogo-Tojo IC via the Chugoku Expressway.

Banshu Kiyomizudera Temple
Location: Hyogo, Kato, Hiraki 1194
Business Hours: 8:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Official Homepage / SNS: Banshu Kiyomizudera Temple (Japanese)
Autumn Leaves Period: Mid-November to late November.
Light Up Information: Undecided

Enjoy the AUtumn Colors in Western Japan

In today's article, we featured our recommended fall foliage spots in Hyogo Prefecture. The prefecture also has other interesting places such as hot springs and castles.

So by all means please visit Hyogo in autumn and enjoy everything it has to offer!