The days are getting shorter and chillier here in Japan, and people are finally starting to breathe a sigh of relief as the hot and humid summer season is over. I personally could live in eternal summer and wouldn’t mind missing a winter or two, but I’ve learned to see the bright side of these fall months – it’s Momiji (fall leaves) season!
If you are looking for a great place to see fall foliage in Japan, look no further than Momijidani Park on Miyajima Island. Seeing that this park has the word momiji in its name, you know that it’s going to be a good place to visit if you’re looking to catch some fall colors.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Table of Contents
- When Do Leaves Change Color in Japan?
- How to Get to Momijidani Park
- Momijidani Park – A Spectacular View
- Hike Up Mt. Misen
- Hungry? What to Eat on Miyajima Island
- Where to Stay on Miyajima Island
When Do Leaves Change Color in Japan?
Since Japan is a very long country stretching way up north in Hokkaido and down south in the islands of Okinawa, the best time to see fall colors varies based on which region you are in.
For Momijidani, which is located in Hiroshima, the peak viewing season is generally from mid to late November.
(The photos used throughout this post were taken in November 2022.)
Each year, fall foliage forecasts are released in Japan with breakdowns for each region, so be sure to search for these and double-check your dates.
How to Get to Momijidani Park
Momijidani Park is located on the island of Miyajima, which is in Hiroshima prefecture. If you are coming from outside the area, you will most likely take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station, and then switch to a local train or bus to get to Miyajimaguchi Station.
From this station, you will catch the ferry over to the island. Momijidani Park is located about a 20-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Momijidani Park – A Spectacular View
The park is quite popular during the day, so if you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend going early in the morning. However, even with people, the scenery is stunning. I found the orange backdrop of the leaves and bridges hard to beat.
I don’t want to spoil everything by sharing all my pictures, but hopefully you’ve seen enough to be inspired to visit yourself!
Hike Up Mt. Misen
If, after taking in the beauty of the par,k you still have energy and are looking for more to do, you can climb up Miyajima’s most popular mountain, Mt. Misen.
There are several paths to the top of the mountain, with one of them conveniently located right by Momijidani Park. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to climb to the top. It’s quite steep and there are many steps so wear proper shoes and bring water!
Hungry? What to Eat on Miyajima Island
If you’ve come all the way to Miyajima Island, you will probably want to try some of the island fare. While everything is a bit on the expensive side – it is a popular vacation/tourist destination even for Japanese people – there are some great things to sample, such as butter garlic oysters, sweet Momiji Manju, and local beer.
Learn more about the best things to eat on Miyajima Island in this post!
Where to Stay on Miyajima Island
You can visit Miyajima island all in one day, but I find there’s something very tranquil and special about spending the night.
For the ultimate luxury experience, you will want to stay at a ryokan (Japanese-style inn), which comes with beautiful Japanese rooms, full-course meals, and attached bathing facilities. Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto is located just 3 minutes from the main shrine and is a beautiful place that does not disappoint. The rooms are large, and the provided dinner and breakfast meals highlight Miyajima and Hiroshima fare. The hotel also offers morning and night walks to explore the areas. (In Japanese)
For a simpler and more affordable stay, you can consider Sakuraya. While it’s not fancy like Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto, it is located conveniently by the water, right by the ferry port. It has quaint Japanese-style rooms and a small public bath you can enjoy during your stay. (Meals are not provided at Sakuraya, so you’ll want to make dinner reservations in advance.)
If you want to stay close to Miyajima, but not on the island itself, the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima is a good option. This hotel hosted the G7 Leaders during the Hiroshima Summit in 2017 and has sweeping views of the waters below from the 23rd-story restaurant and bar. There is a dock right next to the hotel with ferry service that runs directly to Miyajima. This hotel is further from the main part of Hiroshima City, but it is a good place to stay for easy access to the island and wonderful views.
If you are looking for a perfect Miyajima Itinerary, check out this blog post and video! It includes food, hiking, the Itsukushima Shrine, and more!
Enjoy more articles about spending winter in Japan