Osaka’s Top 5 Places for Autumn Leaves on the Outskirts of the City!

Maido! Betty here!
A lot of people love fall food in Japan because so many delicious things are in season. It's also a good time　to curl up with a book. But you know what I like to do in autumn? Going out to see the fall leaves. They　blanket the mountains turning them into a picturesque autumn dreamland.
Beyond city limits, there are many great places to see the autumn leaves, and I will share 5 of my top　autumn spots with you. So if you’re looking for those beautiful fall leaves in Osaka Prefecture, these are some good places to start.

Hoshida Enchi—Great for Hiking and Beautiful Autumn scenery

In the city of Katano, a place known for its connection with the Tanabata legend, you'll find the beautiful Hoshida no Mori forest. It is located on the border of Osaka and Nara prefectures along the Ikoma Mountain Range. In fall, the tree-filled mountains are blanketed in beautiful autumn hues.

The hiking courses will take you through groves of Japanese zelkova and sawtooth oaks showing off their red, orange, and yellow hues. With all the lush greenery, you can imagine how many negative ions are floating around in the air.

The Hoshida no Mori forest features an impressive suspension bridge called Hoshi no Branco. It is at an altitude of 180 meters, stretching a length of 280 meters, and is at its highest point 50 meters above the ground below, making it one of the biggest wood-floored suspension bridges in the country.

The bride was named Hoshi no Branco, meaning star bridge, after the region’s connection to the Tanabata legend. It’s quite romantic sounding, but keep in mind, if you are afraid of heights, this might not be the place for you.
Heights don’t bother me personally, so crossing the bridge felt a bit like embarking on an adventure!

The forest unfolds beneath your feet as you look out from the bridge. This is the perfect spot to take in the colors of fall!
Plus, you get to experience the thrill of being elevated over the forest.

Make Time Outdoor Sports!

There’s actually a climbing wall located inside the Hoshida no Mori park area. It’s 16.5 meters tall so it is perfect for people who like to climb! Plus there is an instructional course for beginners so anyone who is interested can enjoy this fun outdoor sport.

It is really special to be able to experience climbing while taking in the beautiful scenery of autumn. What a fun way to enjoy the season!
The closest train station to the Hoshida no Mori park is Kisaichi Station on the Keihan Katano Line. From there it is about a 40 minute walk to the Piton Hut, where you can get refreshments and use the facilities. From the Piton Hut, there are two routes that will take you to the Hoshi no Branco bridge. The adventure course (ぼうけんの路) takes about 15 minutes and includes some steep steps. The other course takes about 30 minutes and is well-maintained and not as demanding.
The hiking here is pretty easy and good for beginners, but keep in mind there are a few spots where you could lose your footing. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to walk in.

Kabusanji Temple—Off the Beaten Path Autumn Foliage Spot

Kabusanji Temple, located about 7 kilometers from the center of Takatsuki, is a beloved autumn foliage spot for people in the know. The temple itself has a history stretching back to the year 774.

On temple grounds you’ll find a hall commemorating the temple founder En no Gyōja and other architecture that will remind you that you are very much in a serene mountain temple. The atmosphere is so relaxing.

The sunlight filtering through the autumn leaves and falling across the temple grounds creates such a tranquil atmosphere.

The soft transitions from green to yellow and red make a lustrous palette of fall colors. It’s surprising the place isn’t more crowded because it’s a beautiful place to take in the fall leaves. I highly recommend Kabusanji for anyone who wants to stay away from the crowds. There were a few photo hobbyists strolling around the temple grounds, but other than that it was fairly empty.
It’s definitely the kind of place that makes you want to shoot a lot of photos.

My photos came out ok, didn’t they? It was a sunny fall day when I visited so it was pretty easy to take a decent photo.
You can get to Kabusanji by either bus or car.
If you’re taking the bus, take the number 53 from JR Takatsuki Station bound for Haraohashi and get off at the Kabusanji-guchi bus stop, which takes about 20 minutes. You can walk from there, or if you prefer, go by car.

Katsuoji—Absolutely Stunning at Night

This mountain temple in Minoh is famous for its bright red daruma dolls. During the fall season, the daruma are no match for the gorgeous colors of autumn brightening up the temple’s many trees and the surrounding forest.

Katsuoji’s autumn leaves are generally at peak beauty between mid-November and early December. The temple is one of Kansai’s best places to see the autumn foliage and visitors come from all over Japan to see the beautiful fall colors at this mountain temple.

The path leading up to the temple buildings is covered by a tunnel of fall leaves. The temple grounds are huge so a walk to see the autumn leaves could feel like a hike, depending on how far you go.

The Lights Are on at Night to Make Fall Evenings Even More Magical!

Don’t miss the temple’s special evening hours when the leaves are illuminated.

When you enter the temple gate, you’ll find yourself surrounded walking over the Benzen Pond that is clouded in an otherworldly layer of mist. And for a limited time, you can see the autumn leaves lit specially during evening hours on weekends and holidays.
To get to Katsuoji, a personal vehicle is convenient, or you can take the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway up to Senri-chuo Station and then board Hankyu Bus number 29 towards Kibogaoka 4-chome. Keep in mind that the area can get crowded and traffic regulations will be in place during certain periods in autumn. There is also a shuttle bus that runs during this season, so please check the official schedule before you go.

Yamadaike Park—Japanesque Fall Landscapes

Yamadaike Park is a suburban wooden area in Hirakata City and the park is managed by Osaka Prefecture. It is a beloved recreational area for citizens of Osaka and Kansai because of its sprawling grounds and the great BBQ area. The seasonal changes are remarkable here and of course it is beautiful in fall.

Perhaps because it is so big, or maybe because it is a bit of an underground spot, but you can absolutely spend an entire day leisurely walking in the park. It’s so relaxing and so much of the scenery looks just like a postcard.

There are many kinds of trees, but I especially recommend the valley of maples if you’re here for autumn foliage. When I visited, there were a lot of people sketching and taking photos of the scenery.

The drooping branches are full of autumn red. And the maple leaves almost look like stars falling from the sky.
The nice thing about Yamadaike Park is that you have a chance to see real nature in all its beauty. Most of the park is nature in its pure form and is not artificially landscaped. There is also a playground area, which would be great for any families with small children.
To get to Yamadaike Park, head to Hirakata Station on the Keihan Railway, then board a Keihan bus and get off at Deyashiki Bus Stop. If you go by car, there are two parking areas, one by the lawn and BBQ area, the second parking area is near the playground.

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park—Take in Fall Leaves To Your Heart’s Content

This park is huge and it’s full of places to see the gorgeous autumn foliage. I have to show you my favorite place in the park—the Maple Waterfall!

To me this scenery exemplifies fall in Japan, with the waterfall surrounded by colorful maple trees. You can see it from the Sorado aerial promenade, which is another of my recommendations in the park.

The promenade ranges in height from 5–10 meters above ground and gives you an aerial view of the forest. Take a walk along the tree tops and imagine how birds must view the world below.

Tea Houses “Han-an” and “Banri-an” are open specially for the Fall Foliage Festival

Head to the Japanese Gardens to see the Han-an and Banri-an tea rooms, which are not usually open to the public. They are open for a limited time only during the Fall Foliage Festival.

The sukiya-zukuri style teahouse was built by a well-known architect from Kyoto, named Sotoji Nakamura, and it matches perfectly with the autumn leaves.

It looks like something out of a fairytale. The deep sense of calm in the teahouse is remarkable. It’s open during the Fall Foliage Festival, which lasts for about a month beginning in early November.
To get to Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, take the Osaka Monorail to Banpaku Kinen Koen Station or Koen-Higashiguchi Station.
So that’s it! Those are my favorite places to see the autumn leaves.
By the way, some of these places are pretty popular, so I recommend visiting on a weekday or heading out early in the morning to avoid the crowds. I hope you like these places as much as I do. And please let me know if there is anywhere else you like to go!

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From parks to mountains to the city center The best fall leaves in Osaka