The Best Places to Enjoy the Fall Foliage! Five Recommended Spots in Hiroshima

1. Taishakukyo Gorge

This is a gorge that is located roughly in the middle of the Chugoku Mountains. It holds the river basin of the Taishaku River and Lake Shinryu-ko, which are both spots where you can enjoy the beauty of nature throughout all four seasons. As a famous foliage-viewing spot, it attracts many tourists during the fall. The recommended way to see the foliage is from the pleasure cruise on Lake Shinryu-ko. The tunnel of trees (approx. 1.5km) along the lake is another beautiful sight to behold.

Suggested Viewing Dates: Late October - Mid-November
Pleasure Cruise (around Lake Shinryu-ko) Fare: Adults 1,200 JPY; Children (up till high school) 600 JPY

2. Buttsu-ji

This is a famous temple of the Buttsu-ji Sect of the Rinzai School of Buddhism. Known as one of the prefecture\'s best spots to see autumn foliage, it attracts many worshippers and tourists in the fall. The temple\'s precinct and its approaching path are both adorned with different types of maple trees that have turned a variety of colors, including yellow, vermilion and red. An entrance fee is charged only during the fall. Every year in November, the temple lights up at night (2017 schedule still unannounced).

Suggested Viewing Dates: Early to Mid-November
Entrance Fee: Adults 300 JPY; Students (junior high and above) 200 JPY; Free for elementary school students and younger

3. Shukkeien

Despite being located just 15 minutes away by foot from Hiroshima Station, Shukkeien is a scenic spot with nature-rich scenery. Built around 1620 by the lord of Hiroshima as a garden for his villa, it is a place where the foliage turns beautiful colors in the fall. The Momiji Matsuri (Autumn Foliage Festival) is held around the time when the fall colors are at their peak, during which visitors can walk around the illuminated garden (2017 schedule still unannounced).

Suggested Viewing Dates: Mid to Late November
Entrance Fee: Adults 260 JPY; High School and College Students 150 JPY; Elementary and Junior High Students 100 JPY

4. Sandankyo Gorge

Sandankyo Gorge is a gorge that cuts into the virgin forests of the western part of Chugoku Mountains. It is a large gorge that is 16km long and filled with beautifully colored foliage in the fall. The view of the five famous waterfront spots referred to as the Godai Sokan - which includes the Nidan-taki and Sandan-taki waterfalls - beautifully harmonizes with the colorful foliage and is definitely worth a look.

Suggested Viewing Dates: Late October to Mid-November

5. Miyajima / Momijidani Park

This is a park located on Aki no Miyajima, the island where the World Heritage Site, the Itsukushima Shrine, is located. It is at the foot of a virgin forest and is a place where one can enjoy the colorful foliage befitting of the park\'s name as the "Valley of Colors". There are approximately 700 trees, such as maples, with foliage that turn color, captivating visitors with their beauty.

Suggested Viewing Dates: Mid to Late November

Since Hiroshima is a nature-rich prefecture, there are many places to view the fall foliage, each with their own charms. Do include them in your travel plans!