Japan welcomes its foliage season in autumn. The peak viewing period for autumn colors on Awaji Island is said to be from late October to early December 2025. Thanks to its warm climate, you can enjoy the foliage a little later than in other regions. Surrounded by sea and mountains, Awaji Island’s vast nature offers unique spots for strolls, temple and shrine visits, recreational activities, gourmet experiences, popular destinations, and hidden gems. Unlike other major touristic spots which are very crowded, even more so during the foliage season, on Awaji Island you can leisurely do sightseeing. Here are recommended autumn foliage spots to enjoy during this season.
Awaji island where a popular anime theme park, Nijigen no Mori, is located is just one hour from Osaka, 30 min. from Kobe and 1.5 hours from Kyoto by car/public transportation. The island is the perfect place for a day trip or a short overnight stay during your trip to Japan.
Table of Contents
- Enjoy Both Activities and Foliage on Awaji Island
- Savor the Autumn Foliage Charm and Japanese Cuisine on Awaji Island
- Rejuvenate Yourself at a Retreat Facility Surrounded by the Vibrant Autumn Foliage of Awaji Island’s Natural Landscape
- Delight in the Oldest Wooden Temple on Awaji Island, Renowned for its Beautiful Autumn Foliage
- Appreciate a Quiet Historic Mountain Temple Where You Can Relish Autumn Leaves on Awaji Island
- Enjoy Rows of Autumn Foliage Trees and Large Playground Equipment
- Try a Temple on Awaji Island with Beautiful Ginkgo Autumn Colors
- Experience the Magnificent Samurai Family Garden Where You Can Enjoy Autumn Foliage on Awaji Island
- Discover a Hidden Gem for Autumn Foliage on Awaji Island
- View a Waterfall on Awaji Island Where the Maple Leaves, Celebrated in the Oldest Anthology of Japanese Poetry, Turn Vibrant Colors
- Relish a Maple Leaf Viewing Spot that Adorns One of the Ancient Temples of the Awaji’s Top Three Mountains
- Adore a Park on Awaji Island Where the Area Around the Dam Lake Turns Vibrant with Autumn Colors
- Closing
Enjoy Both Activities and Foliage on Awaji Island
Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park & Nijigen no Mori
Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park is a prefectural park near Awaji Interchange. Spend relaxing time surrounded by nature within its vast grounds. It features four main zones offering various ways to enjoy yourself. The “Interaction Zone” is recommended for families, featuring a large roller slide, wooden athletic equipment, water play, and playground equipment on a large lawn area where you can play while enjoying the autumn leaves.
The “Forest Zone” is considered the most naturally rich area within the park. Stroll through the woods to experience Awaji Island’s clear, natural air and view the autumn-colored trees. Further in lies the Observation Plaza, offering the pleasure of panoramic views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Osaka Bay.
The Highway Oasis Zone offers dining, shopping, and garden strolls. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal or rest after viewing the autumn leaves. Since autumn is the season for hearty appetites, be sure to savor Awaji Island’s seasonal ingredients.
The “Grassland and Flower Zone” features expansive grasslands with native plants like Japanese pampas grass, making it a hidden gem for autumn photos. With well-maintained paths lined with mountain cherry trees, it’s also a popular hiking course known for its vibrant fall foliage.
Within Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park lies Nijigen no Mori, an anime theme park. It features attraction areas based on popular characters like NARUTO, Crayon Shinchan, Dragon Quest and Godzilla. With numerous photo spots, it offers enjoyment for both adults and children.
At Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park, there are a total of 54 statues of Shin-chan and his friends. Why not take photos with them amidst the beautiful autumn leaves? In the Godzilla Interception Operation, you can enjoy the impressive life-size Godzilla alongside the autumn foliage. Being a theme park nestled in nature, it’s charming because you can truly feel the changing seasons.
| Park Name | NIJIGEN NO MORI |
|---|---|
| Address | 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | 0799-64-7061 |
| Website | https://nijigennomori.com/ |
| Reservations | https://ticket.nijigennomori.com/en/ |
| Operation Hours | Everyday10:00-22:00 *Each attraction has a different last reception time and closing time. |
Click here for details of NIJIGEN NO MORI
Savor the Autumn Foliage Charm and Japanese Cuisine on Awaji Island
Aman no Shokutaku, a Japanese Restaurant
At Utage on the first floor of Aman no Shokutaku, enjoy the stanning scenery of a Japanese garden where you can experience the essence of Japanese wabi-sabi while admiring the vibrant red maple leaves planted in the garden from the terrace seats. Savor delicious Japanese cuisine amidst this autumn foliage spot. Pet-friendly seating is also available.
Click here for reservations Utage Click here for reservations Sajiki
| Name | Aman no Shokutaku １F Utage ２F Sajiki |
|---|---|
| Address | 1042 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | "Utage” 0799-70-9089 “Sajiki” 0799-70-9090 |
| Operation Hours | “Utage”: Weekdays 11:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) / Sat., Sun. & Holidays 10:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) “Sajiki” 11:00~15:00 / 17:00~21:00 (L.O.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays |
| Website | https://amannoshokutaku.jp/ |
| Reservations: Utage | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-utage/reserve |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
| Review: Utage | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d24037141-Reviews-Aman_No_Shokutaku_Utage-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
Rejuvenate Yourself at a Retreat Facility Surrounded by the Vibrant Autumn Foliage of Awaji Island’s Natural Landscape
Zenbo Seine
At Zenbo Seinei, enjoy a zazen retreat experience on a wood deck overlooking a vast panoramic forest where autumn winds blow through, making it a prime spot for autumn foliage viewing. Located at the 135th meridian east, this power spot offers an extraordinary mindful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Recommended for adults. The surrounding trees turn vibrant red with autumn hues, coinciding with the most comfortable weather. Savor a leisurely, luxurious time while gazing upon the natural scenery.
| Name | Zenbo Seinei |
|---|---|
| Address | 2594-5 Aza-Banaka, Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9087 |
| Website | https://www.zenbo-seinei.com/en/ |
| Program Reservations | https://zenbo-seinei.urkt.in/direct/offices/587/courses |
| Hotel Reservation | https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/shan-fang-jing-zhu-dan-lu-shi2.html |
| Operation Hours | Mon: 9:00 am～5:00 pm / Tues～Sun: 11:00 am～6:30 pm Closed: Varies depending on a month. Please inquire. |
Click here for details of ZEN Wellness SEINEI
Delight in the Oldest Wooden Temple on Awaji Island, Renowned for its Beautiful Autumn Foliage
Tōsanji Temple
At Tosanji Temple, autumn foliage enthusiasts can enjoy the spectacular sight of crimson maple leaves reflecting in Garyo Pond within the historic temple grounds. Founded by Kobo Daishi, a monk who built the first temple for Shingon Sect on Mt. Koya, as a center for protecting Izanagi Shrine and serving the faith of the common people, its main hall and mountain gate are the oldest wooden structures on the island. Around mid-November, it becomes a popular destination for enjoying autumn foliage at a leisurely pace in this remote location. Nighttime illumination of the maple trees is also available.
Appreciate a Quiet Historic Mountain Temple Where You Can Relish Autumn Leaves on Awaji Island
Senzan Senkoji Temple
At Senzan Senkoji Temple, visitors can enjoy autumn foliage in a quiet setting with fewer crowds, taking in the majestic buildings and vibrant red leaves. Within the temple grounds stand a bell designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, Nio guardian statues attributed to Unkei, the main hall, a three-story pagoda, and a bell tower. The view from the mountaintop is vividly beautiful, seeming to convey the deepening of autumn. It is a hidden gem among scenic spots, counted among the “Eight Views of Sumoto.”
Enjoy Rows of Autumn Foliage Trees and Large Playground Equipment
Awaji Island National Akashi Strait Park
At Awaji Island National Akashi Strait Park, you can enjoy autumn foliage spots by strolling along avenues dyed crimson, playing on large composite playground equipment, and viewing autumn flowers like cosmos and dahlias. From the small hill, the beautiful scenery with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Osaka Bay in the background is captivating. In the evening, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery where the sunset-colored sky blends with the autumn foliage. Located right near Awaji Yumebutai designed by a world-famous architect Tadao Ando, this vast 40-hectare site (about 9 times the size of Tokyo Dome) is popular as a photogenic spot, with seasonal flowers blooming throughout the year
Try a Temple on Awaji Island with Beautiful Ginkgo Autumn Colors
Jōsō-ji Temple
At Jōsōji Temple, visitors can enjoy the beautiful gradient of deep yellow ginkgo leaves and deep red maple leaves at this historic temple, a popular autumn foliage spot. Fallen leaves pile up around the trees near the main hall within the temple grounds, creating a stunning red and yellow contrast that makes it a prime photo spot. It houses the “Wooden Standing Statue of Yakushi Nyorai,” said to be the oldest Buddhist statue on the island. In spring, approximately 150 cherry and wisteria trees bloom magnificently.
Experience the Magnificent Samurai Family Garden Where You Can Enjoy Autumn Foliage on Awaji Island
Former Ekishukan Garden
At the Former Ekishukan Garden, visitors can enjoy autumn foliage as a prime viewing spot. This strolling pond garden, designed in the samurai family garden style, offers a beautiful, atmospheric scene featuring some of Japan’s largest garden stones and vibrant autumn leaves. This garden was the first on the island to be designated a National Scenic Spot. Created in the early Edo period (sometime after 1631) as the garden of the villa belonging to the Inada family, chief retainer of the Tokushima domain, it offers numerous highlights: massive stones lining the over 4-meter-high retaining walls, autumn leaves reflected on the moat’s surface, beautifully constructed stepping stones, and seasonal nighttime illumination during the peak foliage season.
Discover a Hidden Gem for Autumn Foliage on Awaji Island
Myōgo-ishi
At Myōgo-ishi, you can enjoy autumn foliage viewing while strolling along the avenue of large maple trees lining the mountain stream. The path to Myōgo-ishi has been beautifully maintained with the cooperation of local residents, making it a renowned spot for autumn colors. It is considered one of the finest views in Sumoto City. Located at the headwaters of the Dabutsu River, the principal statue, Myōgo-ishi, is carved with the words “Namu Ami Dabutsu.” It is said to have been carved by a famous monk, Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). The road is narrow, making it difficult for cars to pass each other. It is recommended to park nearby and explore on foot.
View a Waterfall on Awaji Island Where the Maple Leaves, Celebrated in the Oldest Anthology of Japanese Poetry, Turn Vibrant Colors
Asano Park
Asano Park is a popular autumn foliage spot featuring a waterfall approximately 15 meters high. Visitors can enjoy strolling while viewing the maple trees turning red that cover the waterfall. Walking along the path from the waterfall to the pond’s edge allows you to experience the charming natural scenery. During peak season, the park bustles with many tourists from both the island and mainland. This historic natural park has been celebrated in Manyōshu, the oldest and most revered anthology of Japanese poetry created from the late 7th century to mid-8th century. Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall are the highlights, making it a beloved spot among locals.
Relish a Maple Leaf Viewing Spot that Adorns One of the Ancient Temples of the Awaji’s Top Three Mountains
Jōryū-ji Temple
At Jōryū-ji Temple, you can enjoy hiking along the path adorned with autumn leaves at this ancient temple counted among the Awaji Sanzan (Top Three) mountains. Escape the daily hustle and bustle to experience tranquility amidst nature’s sounds—the chirping of wild birds and the rustling of leaves—while admiring the vibrant autumn hues lining the approach. The grounds, rich in natural beauty, feature the Japanese chestnut and Japanese red oak trees spreading their roots which are prefecture-designated natural monuments. The forest is also selected as one of Hyogo’s 50 Selected Forests. Hydrangeas bloom beautifully during the rainy season, while autumn foliage reaches its peak in fall.
Adore a Park on Awaji Island Where the Area Around the Dam Lake Turns Vibrant with Autumn Colors
Yuzuruha Dam Park
Yuzuruha Dam Park is a popular autumn foliage spot. Stroll along the approximately 2-kilometer walking path around the dam lake park while enjoying views of the mountains ablaze with red and yellow autumn colors. Enjoy a picnic in this scenic location while taking in the autumn leaves. Wild deer also inhabit the area, offering the possibility of an encounter. Located at the foot of Mt. Yuzuruha in Minami-Awaji City, it is popular as a hiking course. The trailhead for Mt. Yuzuruha is near the dam embankment. Visitors can enjoy hiking up to Yuzuruha Shrine at the summit.
Closing
How did you like it? We’ve introduced recommended spots for autumn foliage on Awaji Island, from popular destinations to hidden gems. Enjoy diverse experiences at various foliage spots including theme parks, parks, temples and shrines, and restaurants. Please visit Awaji Island during the autumn foliage season from late October to early December 2025.
