Hiroshima In Autumn - Stunning Fall Colors You Don't Want to Miss!

Japan has four distinctive seasons. No matter where you travel in Japan, the locals will be always very proud of two things - the lovely cherry blossoms in the spring and, almost as importantly, the stunning autumn colors in their area.

Momiji-gari, meaning hunt for the autumn leaves, is an important tradition in Japan. This tells the visitor how this vividly colorful season is of great importance. And indeed it should be as autumn truly is a stunning here in Japan.

Enjoy the Beautiful Autumn Landscape!

If you want to make the most of your autumn leaf hunt it is best to head out of the city into the wild, preferably with a rental car. Let me introduce you to places you should definitely add to your to-visit list while in Hiroshima, an area where the best time to see the autumn leaves is around mid-November.

Buttsuji Temple in Mihara

Tucked away deep in the mountains of Hiroshima prefecture is Buttsuji, a temple built less than a hundred years ago but still of great significance. It is also an active Zen school which offers training and actually consists of several temples in a relatively small area up on the mountain.

Many people visit Buttsuji Temple during autumn. It is renowned for its glorious display of fall colors. If you can, avoid visiting during weekends and choose a weekday instead.

Remember to take warm clothing no matter how warm the day: up in the mountains the temperatures are considerably cooler.

Admission: free

How to Get to Buttsuji Temple

Renting a car is a great option as then you get to visit several spots throughout the day and to make most of your day. If you can rent a car, consider it a viable option as public transportation in remote areas is scarce and time-consuming.

From JR Hiroshima Station to Buttsuji Temple it takes approximately 70 to 90 minutes by car depending on traffic.

If for you choose public transportation, the Mihara JR Station is a 30-minute shinkansen ride away from Hiroshima.

From Mihara Station, you can take a bus going towards Buttsuji Temple. It takes around 42 minutes. The bus stop is approximately a 15-minute walk from the temple.

Yoshimizuen Garden in Kake

Located in the mountainous countryside, Yoshimizuen is actually a private garden that opens its gates to the public only four times a year. It's open on two weekends during both spring and autumn.

Lucky for us, they allow visitors during autumn as this small garden is definitely worth the trip to the countryside.

Albeit a small garden, it is a traditional Japanese one and well renowned in the local area for its beauty.

The small town of Kake is bustling with life as it knows to expect the masses of autumn leaf hunters. Make sure to try a few local delicacies while you are in town. You will find pastry shaped as autumn leaves filled with red bean paste everywhere, a Japanese favorite.

For the autumn of 2017, Yoshimizuen Garden will be open on November 18th - 19th for visitors to come and see the autumn leaves. Enjoy your momiji-gari in this beautiful garden!
Admission: 200 yen
Website: Yoshimizuen Garden

How to Get to Yoshimizuen Garden

You can reach Yoshimizuen by car in around 60 minutes driving from Hiroshima. A rental car is by far your best option as Yoshimizuen is located deep in the rural parts of Hiroshima prefecture. This way you also get to discover plenty of stunning, colorful scenes.

If you are willing to make the effort, you can get there by public transport from JR Hiroshima Station. Take the Kabe Line to Yokogawa Station approximately 5 minutes, then change to the bus outside Yokogawa Station on the Sansogyo Line going to Kake Shinmachi. Get off at Kake Shinmachi. The bus ride will take around one hour.

Enjoy Hiroshima in Autumn!

Taking into account how large is Hiroshima prefecture, if you are willing to get out of the beaten path, you can discover sides of Japan you have never thought possible.

If you are thinking about driving, make sure you have an international driver’s license and a permit to drive in Japan. Most nationalities need a special permit from a consulate or an embassy before entering Japan if they want to rent a car.

It is a small price to pay for the incredible experience to visit some truly exceptional places in the Japanese countryside.

Places such as Haji Damn or Sandankyo Gorge become very accessible to visitors with a car. But no matter what your mode of transport is make sure to enjoy this gloriously colorful time in Japan.