2017 Kagawa’s Autumn Leaves Information
Seasons change in Japan. Travelers can enjoy the sceneries that portray many a state of mind different in accordance with the season. Lots of people plan their travels around the time of cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn. The Japan Weather Association forecasts the best time in 2017 to view red leaves in Shikoku to be around November 20th. Life Takamatsu is here to provide you with some autumn leaves information in Kagawa. If you are planning to visit Takamatsu for the first time, or even if you have been here multiple times, don’t miss this chance to see the striking red leaves!
Okuboji Temple
Okuboji Temple is the last temple(Kechigan) of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. It is located at the southern base of Mr. Nyotaizan, at 774 meter altitude. This temple is a famous spot for its colored leaves and it shows us a beautiful scene with colored gingko and maple leaves on the ground. Especially the gingko tree in particular, which is 26 meters high, has been designated as Kagawa’s preserved tree and is a popular photo spot among visitors.
Best Viewing Period: From the end of October to the middle of November.
Time: 7:00-17:00
Holidays: Open all year round
Admission: Free
Website:http://www.city.sanuki.kagawa.jp/sightseeing/henro/ookuboji
Phone Number:+81-87-956-2278
Address: 96 Tawa Kanenari, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2306/〒769-2306 香川県さぬき市多和兼割96
Access:
About 20 minutes by taxi from Kotoden Nagao Station.
About 40 minutes by Okawa bus Hiketa line from JR Takamatsu Station, change buses at the bust stop Okawa Bus HQ to Sanuki Community bus heading for Okuboji bus stop.
Kotohira Shrine
Kotohira Shrine has 4 million visitors per year and is famous for its long staircase, consisting of 1368 steps. Besides the stairs, the pretty landscape featuring cherry blossoms in spring, azaleas in early summer and colored leaves in autumn is well worth seeing. Momiji Matsuri (Colored Leaves Festival), held on November 10th every year, is an elegant and refined festival which announces arrival of fall. A line of female attendants, Otama-Kushi(Big branch of the sacred trees to God) made by red leaves in their hands, moves gracefully towards Main Shrine from the gate. The line with Otama-Kushi in the lead is accompanied by ambrosia, furnishing goods, dancers of Sanuki Life’s dance and Yaotome Mai(dance by girls who serve God), minstrels and priests.
Best Viewing Period: From the end of November to the beginning of December.
Time: 6:00-18:00(April to September), 9:00-17:00(October to March)
Holidays: Open all year round
Admission: Free
Website:
http://www.konpira.or.jp
Phone Number: +81-87-775-2121
Address: 892-1, Kotohira, Nakatado, Kagawa 766-0001/〒766-0001 香川県仲多度郡琴平町892-1
Access:
About a 20 minutes-walk from JR Kotohira Staiton.
About a 15 minutes-walk from Kotoden Kotohira Station.
Shionoe Hot Spring Area
Shionoe Hot Spring Area, is located deep in the mountains, is a very popular spot for hot springs as its name suggests. During the Taihei period (during 729-749), celebrated priest Gyoki from Nara found this well-known hot spring, and then Kukai (Kobodaishi) disseminated it. Together with the hot spring, cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves attract lots of people. Shionoe Momiji Matsuri (Shionoe Red Leaves Festival) was held in Gyoki-no-Yu (Gyoki’s hot spring) plaza on November 12, 2017, where lots of food and souvenir booths sold their goods.
Best Viewing Period: From the middle to the end of November.
Time: Always open (9:00-16:00 only on November 12, 2017 for Momiji Matsuri)
Holidays: Open all year round
Admission: Free
Website: http://shionoe.jp
Phone Number: +81-87-893-0148 Shionoe Onsen Tourist Association
Address: Shionoe, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-1612/〒761-1612 香川県高松市塩江町
Access:
About 1 hour from JR Takamatsu Station by Kotoden Bus heading for Shionoe
Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden in the center of Takamatsu is the most easily accessible spot for colored leaves. This garden gives you the so called “ippo-ikkei”(a different view with each step) and illuminated landscapes in autumn. You should find lots of people and fragrant rice dumplings when visiting Ritsurin Garden at night, giving it the feel of a school visit. Autumn lighting-up in 2017 is from November 23rd to December 3rd. Besides the night-running wasen (Japanese style boat), lots of weekend events such as music performances will be held. Entering the garden during light-up period is before 20:30.
Best Viewing Period: From the middle of November to the beginning of December.
Time: 6:30-17:00 (November), 7:00-17:00 (December). The garden opens between sunset and sunrise and differs each month. Please visit official webpage for detailed information.
Holidays: Open all year round
Admission: Adult 410 yen, Child 170 yen
Website: http://www.my-kagawa.jp/ritsuringarden
Phone Number: +81-87-833-7411
Address: 1-20-16, Ritsurin, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0073/〒760-0073香川県高松市栗林町1-20-16
Access: About a 3-minute walk from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station. About a 5-minute walk from Kotoden Ritsurin Koen Station. You can also take the bus from Takamatsu station and get off at Ritsurin Koen Mae Bus Stop.
Shikoku Mura
For visitors who would like to experience the character of each of the 4 prefectures in Shikoku, Shikoku Mura(Shikoku Village), a 30 minute-ride from Takamatsu city center, is highly recommended. The colored leaves against Iya-no-Kazura Bashi (Suspension bridge made of vine-Vine Bridge) and old folk houses give you a clear taste of what makes each corner of Shikoku.
Best Viewing Period: From the end of November to the beginning of December.
Time: 8:30-17:30 (November-March)
Holidays: Open all year round
Admission: 1,000 yen/adult
Website: http://www.shikokumura.or.jp
Phone Number: +81-87-843-3111
Address: 91, Yashima Naka Machi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0112/〒761-0112 香川県高松市屋島中町91
Access: About a 3-minute walk from Kotoden Yashima Station. About a 10-minute walk from JR Yashima Station.
