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

Photo: Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto

Osaka Kyoto Kansai 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.

Osaka Castle Park（大阪城公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

10 minutes by JR Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station to Osakajo-Koen (Osaka Castle Park) Station, then right over there

Katsuoji Temple（勝尾寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

20 minutes by Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway from Umeda (Osaka) Station to Senri-chuo Station, then 35 minutes by bus to Katsuoji and right over there

Minoo Park (Minoo Waterfall)＜明治の森箕面国定公園（箕面大滝）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

20 minutes by Hankyu Takarazuka Line from Osaka-Umeda Station to Ishibashi Handai-mae Station, then 5 minutes by Hankyu Minoo Line to Minoo Station and 10-min taxi ride from there

List of Ryokans in Osaka Onsen

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens（神戸布引ハーブ園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November to early December

Access

5 minutes on foot from Shin-Kobe Station to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens Ropeway (Mountain Base Station)

Zuihoji Park（瑞宝寺公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour by bus from Hankyu Highway Bus Osaka Umeda Terminal (Hankyu Sambangai) to Arima Onsen, or
(2) 20 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station (Kobe), 10 minutes by Kobe Municipal Subway from Sannomiya Station to Tanigami Station, then 10 minutes by Kobe Electric Railway to Arimaguchi Station and 5-min Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line ride to Arima Onsen Station, then 10 minutes on foot

Arima Onsen（有馬温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour by bus from Hankyu Highway Bus Osaka Umeda Terminal (Hankyu Sambangai) to Arima Onsen, or
(2) 20 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station (Kobe), 10 minutes by Kobe Municipal Subway from Sannomiya Station to Tanigami Station, then 10 minutes by Kobe Electric Railway to Arimaguchi Station and 5-min Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line ride to Arima Onsen Station

List of Ryokans in Arima Onsen (Kobe)

Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden（姫路城・好古園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

30 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station, then 15 minutes on foot

List of Ryokans in Himeji Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen（城崎温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

Two hours 40 minutes by JR Limited Express from Osaka Station to Kinosaki Onsen Station, then 5 minutes on foot

Genbudo Park（玄武洞公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

10 minutes by taxi from Kinosaki Onsen Station

List of Ryokans in Kinosaki Onsen

Yumura Onsen（湯村温泉）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

Three hours 30 minutes by JR Limited Express from Osaka Station to Hamasaka Station, then 25 minutes by bus to Yumura Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yumura Onsen

Awaji Hanasajiki（あわじ花さじき）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-September to late October

Access

(1) 50 minutes by JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line from Osaka Station to Maiko Station, then 5 minutes on foot to Kosoku Maiko and 25-min bus ride to Higashiura Bus Terminal. 10 minutes by taxi from there.
(2) Approximately 40 minutes by car from Awaji Island (Sumoto) Onsen

List of Ryokans in Awaji Island (Sumoto) Onsen

Kiyomizudera Temple（清水寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

12 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station to Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka, then 10 minutes on foot

Nanzenji Temple & Eikando Temple（南禅寺・永観堂）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

6 minutes by Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station, then 7 minutes by Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line to Keage Station and 15-min walk from there

Toji（東寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

15 minutes on foot from the Hachijyoguchi Exit of Kyoto Station

Takaosan Jingoji Temple（高雄山 神護寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to late November

Access

50 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station to Yamashiro Takao, then 20 minutes on foot

Arashiyama（嵐山）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November

Access

17 minutes by JR Sanin Main Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, then 10 minutes on foot

Sagano Scenic Railway & Hozugawa River Boat Ride（嵯峨野トロッコ列車・保津峡下り）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

20 minutes by JR Sanin Main Line from Kyoto Station to Kameoka Station, then 8 minutes on foot

Miidera Temple (Onjoji Temple)＜三井寺（園城寺）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 15 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Kyoto Station to Zeze Station, then 10 minutes by Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Miidera Station, or
(2) 10 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line / Kosei Line from Kyoto Station to Otsukyo Station, then 3 minutes by Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Miidera Station and 7-min walk from there

Enryakuji Temple, Mount Hieie（比叡山・延暦寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour 10 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Enryakuji Bus Center
(2) 5 minutes by JR Kosei Line from Ogoto Onsen Station (Kyoto Lake Biwa Ogoto Onsen) to Hieizan Sakamoto Station, then 20 minutes on foot to Cable Sakamoto Station and 10-min cable car ride to Enryakuji

Eigenji Temple（大本山 永源寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

35 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Kyoto Station to Omi Hachiman Station, then 20 minutes by Ohmi Railway to Yokaichi Station and 35-min bus ride to Eigenji-mae

Metasequoia Namiki, Makino Kogen Highland（マキノ高原　メタセコイア並木）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

One hour 30 min by JR Tokaido Main Line / Kosei Line from Kyoto Station to Makino Station, then 6 minutes by bus to Makino Pic-land and right over there

List of Ryokans in Kyoto Onsen

Amanohashidate（天橋立）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

Two hours by JR Limited Express from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate Station, then 5 minutes on foot from there

List of Ryokans in Kyoto Amanohashidate Onsen

List of Ryokans in Kyoto Tango Peninsula (Yuhigaura) Onsen

Nara Park（奈良公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early November to early December

Access

(1) 50 minutes by JR Yamatoji Kaisoku Express from Osaka Station to Nara Station, or
(2) 45 minutes by JR Nara Line (Miyakoji Kaisoku Express) from Kyoto Station to Nara Station, then 3 minutes on foot

List of Ryokans in Nara Onsen

Mount Koya（高野山）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

One hour 30 min by Nankai Limited Express from Namba Station (Osaka) to Gokurakubashi Station, then ride a cable car to Koyasan Station and 15-min bus ride to Kongobuji-mae

List of Ryokans in Koyasan (Mt. Koya) Onsen

Wakayama Castle & Nishinomaru Garden＜和歌山城・西之丸庭園（紅葉渓庭園）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

10 minutes by Nankai Airport Line from Kansai International Airport to Izumisano Station, then 30 minutes by Nankai Limited Express to Wakayamashi Station and 15-min walk from there

List of Ryokans in Nanki Shirahama Onsen

List of Ryokans in Kii Katsuura Onsen

List of Ryokans in Ryujin Onsen