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Go around Nankai Railways and watch Red leaves!

The best places to go watch Red leaves around Nankai Railways

Autumn is starting to become deep, and the season for red leaves has started. The sight of the trees turning into yellow and red has the special beauty of this season.
There are so many great places to go watch this crimson scenery around the country, but where shall we go? We will introduce 7 wonderful places to go see red leaves around Nankai Railways.

Mystical mountain of red leaves

Koyasan

Definitely one of the best places to enjoy red leaves in Wakayama – Koyasan. You can enjoy autumn red leaves all around this sacred place.
To fully enjoy your trip to Koyasan, you would definitely want to go to Kongobuji, watch the Konpon Daito and have sesame tofu with the Buddhist vegetarian meal. After that, take a walk to Okunoin. The crimson architecture of the temples and the leaves make a great sight full of red. The warm color toned scenery shall burn up your heart too.
One of the best places to enjoy the red leaves is “Jyabaramichi”. Jyabaramichi is the name of the small road from the entrance of Kongobuji to the Danjyo Garan (East tower). Red leaves are planted from both sides on this road, and it seems to be like a natural tunnel of red leaves.

Best time to go
Late October to early November, 8:30 a.m.~4:30 p.m.
How to go
90 mins by the Limited Express Kōya from Namba station, Nankai Railways. Change trains at Gokurakubashi station to the Cable car and get off at Kōyasan station.

The beauty of the Karesansui garden

Kongouji Temple – from Amanosan

Kongouji is one of the best places to go out for red leaves in Kawachinagano city, a city of Japanese heritage. Kongouji itself is one of the three Japanese heritages in Kawachinagano city and is full of history. It is known as “Nyonin Koya (Koya for women)” since it was a place that women in ancient times went to pray for Kobo Daishi, the saint of Koya.
The autumn scenery of the autumn leaves at the Karesansui garden (Japanese dry landscape garden) is wonderful, and you must feel the traditional beauty of Japan.

Best time to go
late October to late November
Address
〒586-0086 996, Amano, Kawachinagano, Osaka
Working Hours
9:00 A.M. ~ 4:30 P.M.
How to go
Drop off at Kawachinagano station (Nankai Railways, Kintetsu Railways). Ride the Nankai Bus from bus stop No.4 at Kawachinagano station that is either bound for Komyoike station, Makinō Chugaku mae, Cycle center, or Amanosan. Ride the bus for apx.23 min, and drop off at Amanosan.
Price
500 yen (combination ticket for Garan and Hombo)
Official Website
https://amanosan-kongoji.jp/

Koyasan Shingon Buddhism

Kanshinji Temple

Kanshinji is said to be founded in 701, and Kobo Daishi Kukai has named it. The Kondo, which is the national treasure of Japan, is the oldest architecture of a national treasure as the main building of a temple. At the season of red leaves, the temple will be full of maple and ginkgo leaves, and you can enjoy a spectacular view.

Best time to go
early November to late November
Address
475, Teramoto, Kawachinagano city, Osaka
Working Hours
9:00 A.M. ~ 5:00 P.M.
How to go
Drop off at Kawachinagano station (Nankai Railways, Kintetsu Railways). Ride the Nankai Bus from bus stop No.3 at Kawachinagano station that is either bound for Kongosan Ropeway-mae, Ishimigawa , or Kobukidai. Drop off at Kanshinji.
Price
Adult 300 yen, Child 100 yen
Official Website
http://www.kanshinji.com/index.html

The most popular spot to see red leaves in Osaka

Daiitokuji Temple - Ushitakisan

Ushitakisan, a mountain located in Kishiwada, Osaka, has many beautiful spots to see - a tower that is a national important cultural property, Daiitokuji, and a magnificent waterfall. The sight of the photo (lit. many-jeweled pagoda ) and the red leaves inside Daiitokuji are wonderful. Ushitakisan is said to be the best spot to see red leaves in Osaka. "Ushitakisan Momiji (red leaves) Festival" is held every November. Please take a look!

Best time to go
middle November to late November
Address
1178-1, Osawacho, Kishiwada, Osaka
Working Hours
8:00 A.M. ~ 4:00 P.M.
How to go
Drop off at Kishiwada station (Nankai Railways). Take the Nankai Bus 611, and drop off at Ushitakisan. Walk for 3 min.
Price
Free

Feel the autumn season at the traditional garden

Daisen Koen (Park)

Daisen Koen is a park 380,000 ㎡ large in Sakai city, full of greenery and history nearby to the only UNESCO world heritage site in Osaka, the burial mound of Emperor Nintoku. You may enjoy the beautiful scenery that resembles "Mount Lushan" from the Jianxi province in China. This park is designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks. Inside the park, there are also tea-ceremony rooms and Japanese traditional gardens. Daisen Koen is illuminated in the season of red leaves, so you may enjoy wondrous scenery.

Best time to go
middle November to late November
Address
Daisen Koen, 2-204, Mozusekiun cho, Sakai, Sakai, Osaka
Working Hours
March to November: 9:00 A.M. ~ 5:00 P.M.
How to go
Drop off at Sakaihigashi station (Nankai Railways). Take the Nankai Bus to Daisen Koen Nishi.
Price
Adult 200 yen, Children under Junior high school 100 yen

Red leaves glowing by the sunset

Enmeiji Temple

Enmeiji is the main sight for red leaves that are selected as the best sceneries in Kawachinagano city. Especially, the large maple tree that is said to be more than 1000 years old is called "Yubae Momiji (Red leaves glowing by the sunset)", since the sight of the tree during sunset time is wonderful. It is also designated as a natural treasure of Osaka.

Best time to go
late October to late November
Address
492, Kamigaoka, Kawachinagano
Working Hours
8:00 A.M. ~ 5:00 P.M.
How to go
Drop off at Mikanodai station (Nankai Railways). Take the Nankai Bus and drop off at Kamigaokaguchi.
Price
Free

Red leaves with the castle

Wakayama Castle

How about taking a short trip to Wakayama city? Just an hour trip from Osaka, Namba, Wakayama city is a nice place to spend your weekend.
After a ten minute walk from Wakayama city station, you will arrive at Wakayama castle. There are many ways to enjoy this castle.
Especially in the autumn season, red leaves from the Japanese Garden of Wakayama castle is great. The gardens name is Momigidani Teien (The garden of the valley of red leaves, in other names "Nishinomaru Garden").
It is on the slope of the mountain of Wakayama castle, and a lake that connects to the moat lays here. The autumn leaves reflect on this lake with “Engyokaku”, a traditional palatial architecture.
Rainy days are actually a sight here – when the smoky surface of the water reflects “Engyokaku”, the beauty of Japan shall move your heart.
(This information is from November 5th, 2020)

Best time to go
late November to early December
Address
1-3, Wakayama, Wakayama
Opening Hours
Nishinomaru Garden (The garden of the red leaves): 9:00 a.m.~5:00 p.m.
Closing days: Nishinomaru Garden (The garden of the red leaves): Dec.29th~Dec.31th
Entrance Fee
Free
Official Website
http://wakayamajo.jp/index.html