Enjoy the autumn colours of the Kumano Kodo! Best time to see the autumn leaves and recommended walking routes.
This year, too, the autumn leaf colour season is approaching. In this issue, we introduce autumn foliage spots along the Kumano Kodo World Heritage Site, which stretches across Wakayama Prefecture and three other prefectures.
There are spots where you can enjoy the autumn foliage while driving, as well as spots where you can stop by while trekking along the Kumano Kodo. We also provide information on when the autumn foliage is at its best, so please use this as a reference when deciding your itinerary for Silver Week and other occasions.
Koya Ryujin Skyline
The first road to be introduced is the Koya Ryujin Skyline, a mountain road linking Koyasan and Ryujin Onsen. Along the 42.7 km long road, which runs along the border between Wakayama and Nara Prefectures, there are virgin beech forests.
The road runs through one of the highest areas in Wakayama Prefecture, allowing visitors to enjoy nature to the full. The Koya Ryujin Skyline runs through the Gomadan Mountains, which retain magnificent virgin forests. The road was converted from a toll road to a free road in 2003, attracting even more visitors.
Road conditions can be checked in advance via live cameras.
The Gomisan Sky Tower, located at the top of Gomadanzan, is just halfway along the Koya Ryujin Skyline. Be sure to take in the spectacular view from this mountain, which is 500 m higher than Koyasan. From the 33 m high observation tower (admission fee 300 yen), you can see not only the mountain scenery but also the islands of the Kii Channel and even the Shikoku Mountains if the weather is fine. There is also a roadside station attached to the site, so take a break from your drive and stop by.
Address.
Near Ryujin, Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access by car
40 minutes from the Katsuragi Nishi IC on the Keinawa Expressway via National Highways 480 and 371 (to the Skyline Entrance).
Access by public transport and on foot
1 hour 40 minutes by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Station.
Best time to visit
Late October – early November.
Official website
Ryujin Village Tourist Information Website：http://www.ryujin-kanko.jp/
Sesame Sky Tower：https://gomasanskytower.com/
Kongobuji Temple, Koyasan
If you visit the Koya Ryujin Skyline, head to the Koyasan Mountains. Here, too, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn colours of maple, maple tree and konara oak.
Koyasan is a sacred site of Japanese Buddhism, founded by Kobo Daishi. Kongobuji Temple is well known, but Koyasan is a ‘one mountain precinct’, meaning that the entire mountain is considered a temple. The Jabara Road, which leads from Kongobuji to Danjo Garan, is lit up with autumn colours from early October to early November, creating a magical world.
Koyasan is a place where visitors can enjoy the autumn colours of native trees, and as each temple has planted trees within its precincts, the autumn leaves can be enjoyed relatively anywhere. We recommend the Serpentine Path, which is lit up, and the main gate of Kongobuji Temple. Both are popular spots.
As there are many different types of trees, there is some variation in the time of year when the leaves change colour. The key point is that visitors can enjoy the autumn colours long after the peak of the foliage season has passed; in 2021, visitors could still be seen enjoying the autumn colours as late as around 20 November. As parking lots are crowded during peak autumn leaf colour, it is recommended to use public transport (Nankai Koyasan Cable Car).
If you go to the trouble of visiting Koyasan, it is also a good idea to stay overnight.
Koyasan has more than 50 shukubo (lodging houses for monks and worshippers), where you can enjoy vegetarian cuisine and the colourful nature of the gardens. Some of the lodgings even offer onsen (hot spring baths). It is recommended to experience the culture of temples and shrines.
Address.
〒648-0296 Koyasan, Koyamachi, Ito-gun, Wakayama
Access by car.
55 minutes by car from the Katsuragi West I.C.
Access by public transport and walking
5 mins from JR Gokurakubashi Station by Nankai Koyasan Cable Car.
The Best time to see
Late October to early November.
Parking lot
Yes (free of charge, only ‘Ichino Bridge Parking Lot’ charges apply).
Official website
Prince of waterfalls
The area around Takijiri Oji is home to many maple trees, which provide beautiful autumn foliage. There is also a large zelkova tree in the precincts of Takijiri Oji.
Takijiri Oji is the entrance to the Kumano Kodo. Takijiri Oji sits at the confluence of the Tonda and Ishifune Rivers and is a sacred area. It is recommended to pay homage at Takijiri Oji and hike along the river, enjoying the autumn colours of the maple trees growing along the river.
The next stop, Fukusada no Ooginkyo, can be reached in 15 minutes by car or on foot in two hours. Please enjoy the autumn colours of both.
Takijiri Oji is located along the Kumano Kodo called ‘Nakahechi’. Along this Nakahechi Road, there are many sightseeing spots such as the Kumano Kodo Museum and the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Art Museum. The Takijiri Oji is also easily accessible, so please visit.
Address.
〒646-1421 859 Kurisugawa, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access by car.
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, approx. 30 mins via National Route 311.
From Nanki Tanabe IC, approx. 40 mins.
Access by public transport and walking
40 minutes by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Station, alighting at Takijiri bus stop.
The Best time to see
Late October to mid-November hectares
Parking lot
Use the Kumano Kodo Kan parking lot opposite Takijiri Oji (free of charge, 80 spaces).
Official website
http://www.wakayama-jinjacho.or.jp/jdb/sys/user/GetWjtTbl.php?JinjyaNo=7030
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba) in Fukusada
The Fukusada no Dai Ginkgo is located in the precincts of Hosenji Temple in Tanabe City. The tree is a whopping 400 years old, with a height of 22 m and a trunk circumference of 5.3 m! It is designated as a natural monument by Tanabe City. It is also called ‘Senbon Ginkgo’ because the trunk is 4 metres high from the base and is split into several pieces.
Every year from late October to mid-November, many people from all over the country come to enjoy the autumn colours of this large ginkgo tree. Even from a distance, it has an eye-catching presence. The carpet of golden autumn leaves that fall is also a sight to behold.
It is a two-hour walk from Takijiri Oji, introduced earlier. While trekking along the Kumano Kodo, be sure to aim for this large ginkgo tree.
Address
〒646-1432 Fukusada, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access by car.
45-minute drive from Nanki-Tanabe IC on Hanwa Expressway.
Access by public transport and walking
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a bus for 50 minutes, alight at Ujiyama Bridge bus stop and walk for 10 minutes.
The best time to see
Mid-November ha
Parking lot.
Yes (free of charge, 10 cars).
Official website
https://www.wakayama-kanko.or.jp/spots/EV202/
Toganoki chaya (Tsugizakura-Oji)
©︎Wakayama Tourism Federation
Toganoki chaya is a rest stop near Tsugizakura Oji, located along the Kumano Kodo. This is a popular spot that has healed people visiting Kumano since the Edo period. The combination of the rest stop’s pretty thatched roof and autumn leaves is popular. In spring, cherry blossoms can also be enjoyed.
The autumn foliage is usually at its best from late November to December, but in 2021 the autumn colours were early and only a little remained at the beginning of December! Check it out if you want to visit in 2022 when the autumn foliage is at its best. Please note that the peak of the autumn foliage is different from that of Fukusada’s large ginkgo trees.
The opening hours of Toganoki chaya change according to the time of year, so be sure to check the official Facebook page for the latest information.
Address.
〒646-1401 Nonaka, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access by car.
55 minutes from JR Kii-Tanabe Station via Route 311.
65 mins from Nanki Tanabe IC via Route 311.
Access by public transport and walking
80 minutes by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Station, get off at Nonaka One Cedar bus stop and walk 30 minutes.
The best time to see
Late November – December
Official website
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