Introduction to Autumn Colours 2023 in Hiroshima Chugoku Region’s Onsen Resorts – with information about the best time to view fall foliage in different regions

Photo: Kagikake Pass, (C)Tottori Pref.

Hiroshima Chugoku Region

Note: 

1. This article introduces the best time to view the foliage in each area’s onsen resorts, as well as a number of selected ryokans in each onsen area.

2. The best time to view fall colours listed here is based on open information published in Japan.（Survey date: October 31, 2023） Influenced by the weather and other natural factors, the actual period when autumnal leaf colouration meets its peak might be a little bit different from our prediction.

Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island（宮島・嚴島神社）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour 20 min by JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station, or
(2) 50 minutes by bus from Hiroshima Airport to Hiroshima Station,
then 25 minutes by JR Sanyo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi Station and 10-min ferry ride to Miyajima Island

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Ozekiyama Park（尾関山公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 20 min by JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station, then one hour 40 min by JR Geibi Line to Miyoshi Station and 10-min bus ride to Ozekiyama-Koen
(2) Approximately one hour 30 minutes by car from Miyajimaguchi Pier
(3) Approximately one hour 40 minutes by car from Tomonoura Onsen

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Sandankyo Gorge (Sandan Falls, Nidan Falls & Mitsudaki Falls)＜三段峡（三段滝・二段滝・三ツ滝）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

Approximately one hour by car from Hiroshima Station

List of Ryokans in Miyajima Onsen

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Buttsuji Temple（佛通寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 30 min by JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Mihara Station, then 35 minutes by bus to Buttsuji and 2-min walk from there
(2) Approximately one hour 10 minutes by car from Tomonoura Onsen

List of Ryokans in Tomonoura Onsen

©岡山県観光連盟

Okayama Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle（岡山城・後楽園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

45 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station, then 5 minutes by Okayama Electric Tramway to Shiroshita Station and 10-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Kurashiki Onsen

©岡山県観光連盟

Okutsu Valley（奥津渓）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

45 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station, one hour 30 min by JR Tsuyama Line from Okayama Station to Tsuyama Station, then 50 minutes by bus to Obata and 10-min walk from there

©岡山県観光連盟

Shizutani School（旧閑谷学校）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to late November

Access

(1) 30 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station, then 55 minutes by JR Sanyo Main Line to Yoshinaga Station and 8-min taxi ride from there
(2) Approximately one hour 20 minutes by car from Yunogo Onsen

©岡山県観光連盟

Tsuyama Castle Kakuzan Park（津山城・鶴山公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

45 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station, then one hour 30 min by JR Tsuyama Line to Tsuyama Station and 15-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Yunogo Onsen

(C)Tottori Pref.

Sanbutsuji Temple (Nageiredo Hall), Mount Mitoku（三徳山三佛寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

45 minutes by bus from Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport to Kurayoshi Station, then 35 minutes by bus to Mitokusan Sando Iriguchi and 5-min walk from there

 

List of Ryokans in Misasa Onsen

Mount Daisen & Daisenji Temple（大山・大山寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

25 minutes by JR Sakai Line from Yonago Kitaro Airport to Yonago Station, then 50 minutes by bus to Daisenji and 8-min walk from there

(C)Tottori Pref.

Kagikake Pass（鍵掛峠）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to early November

Access

Approximately 40 minutes by car from Yonago Station

List of Ryokans in Kaike Onsen (Yonago)

Yuushien Garden（由志園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November to early December

Access

(1) 15 minutes by JR Sakai Line from Yonago Kitaro Airport to Sakaiminato Station, then 15 minutes by bus to Yuushien
(2) 25 minutes by bus from Matsue Station to Yuushien

Matsue Jozan Park（松江城山公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

25 minutes by JR Sakai Line from Yonago Kitaro Airport to Yonago Station, then 35 minutes by JR Sanin Main Line to Matsue Station and 10-min bus ride to Kokuho-Matsuejo Kenchomae

Oni no Shitaburui Gorge（鬼の舌震）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

Approximately one hour by car from Matsue Station

List of Ryokans in Izumo-Tamatsukuri Onsen

Taineiji Temple（大寧寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

(1) One hour 50 min by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, or
(2) 35 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then one hour by shared-taxi to Nagatoyumoto Onsen

Rurikoji Temple, Kozan Park＜瑠璃光寺五重塔（香山公園）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 30 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then 25 minutes by JR Yamaguchi Line to Yamaguchi Station and 15-min bus ride to Kozan Koen Gojunoto Mae (in front of Kozan Park)
(2) 10 minutes by taxi from Yuda Onsen

Tonomachi Street, Tsuwano（津和野・殿町通り）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 30 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then one hour 5 min by JR Limited Express to Tsuwano Station, or
(2) 50 minutes by JR Limited Express from Yudaonsen Station (Yuda Onsen) to Tsuwano Station and 10-min walk from there
(3) Approximately one hour by car from Hagi Onsen
(4) Approximately one hour 30 min by car from Nagatoyumoto Onsen

Chomonkyo Gorge（長門峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 50 min by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, or
(2) 35 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then one hour by JR Yamaguchi Line to Chomonkyo Station and 5-min walk from there
(3) 45 minutes by JR Yamaguchi Line from Yudaonsen Station (Yuda Onsen) to Chomonkyo Station
(4) Approximately 40 minutes by car from Hagi Onsen
(5) Approximately one hour 10 minutes by car from Nagatoyumoto Onsen

List of Ryokans in Hagi Onsen

List of Ryokans in Nagatoyumoto Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yuda Onsen