▲ Katsuo-ji, a thousand-year-old temple in the Minoh mountains of Osaka, is filled with thousands of red daruma dolls. In fall, the mountains are covered with red leaves, creating a striking contrast with the darumas and a unique atmosphere. Visitors can experience the daruma eye-opening wish ritual and take picturesque photos. It is a hidden gem for fall foliage viewing in Kansai. The predicted maple leaf season for 2026 is mid-November to early December.
▲ Minoh Park, officially known as Minoh Park, is a highly representative national forest park in the suburbs of Osaka, with a short driving distance from the city center of Osaka. It is also a famous spot for viewing fall foliage in Kansai. The entire valley has extremely high forest coverage, rich ecological resources, babbling streams between the valleys, and abundant negative oxygen ions, offering an immersive experience of the fall atmosphere in the wilderness away from the city noise. The predicted maple leaf viewing period for 2026 is from mid-November to early December.
▲ Kiyomizu-dera Temple was built in 778 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto, as well as a top destination for fall foliage viewing in the Kansai region. The entire main hall is constructed using wooden pillars and mortise-and-tenon joints, with the renowned Kiyomizu Stage standing suspended over a cliff—built without a single nail. From the stage, you can overlook the entire city of Kyoto. During the fall foliage season, the crimson maples surrounding the vermilion ancient temple create a breathtaking contrast with the wooden architecture, painting the mountains in vibrant hues and offering a magnificent panoramic view, making it a must-visit spot in Kyoto during fall. Within the visiting hours, you are free to explore Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka. The predicted peak foliage period for 2026 is mid-November to early December.