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5 recommended autumn leaves spots near Hamamatsu! When is the best time to see it and how crowded is it?
The suburbs of Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture are an area rich in nature, and there are many recommended spots where you can see beautiful autumn leaves.
In this article, we will introduce 5 recommended autumn foliage spots near Hamamatsu. We also provide information on the best time to see the leaves and how crowded they are, so please use this as a reference for your autumn foliage tour.
Oguni Shrine | Morimachi, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture
Oguni Shrine, located in Morimachi, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture, is about 40 minutes by car from Hamamatsu Station.
It is a popular spot visited by many tourists not only from within the prefecture but also from outside the prefecture during the autumn leaves season.
Oguni Shrine is the first shrine in the Enshu region with a long history of over 1,460 years, enshrining the deity “Oonamuchi no Mikoto.”
It is popular as a “famous matchmaking shrine” that connects various connections, and is crowded with many visitors, not only during the autumn leaves season.
There are approximately 1,000 maple trees of various sizes in the precincts, and during the peak viewing season, the entire area is dyed a brocade color.
A recommended spot is the walking path along the Miyagawa River, which runs north-south through the grounds.
The walking path is approximately 1km. You can enjoy the beautiful colored scenery while feeling the murmuring of the Miyagawa River.
At Oguni Shrine, you can enjoy autumn leaves not only on the walking path along the Miyagawa River, but also throughout the grounds.
The maple trees over Kotomachi Pond here are also very beautiful.
The contrast between the deep blue-green color of Kotomachi Pond and the fiery red maple leaves is like a painting. It’s a landscape that makes you forget the passage of time as you gaze at it.
<Best time to see autumn leaves at Oguni Shrine>
Usually late November to early December
*The autumn leaves photography in this article was taken at the end of November 2023.
<Crowd situation>
During the season, the parking lot is crowded even on weekdays.
There may be a wait for parking after noon, so if you want to enjoy the autumn leaves without the crowds, we recommend visiting the shrine in the morning.
<Oguni Shrine facility information>
address : 437-0226
3956-1 Ichinomiya, Morimachi, Shuchi-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 0538-89-7302
>>Oguni Shrine official website (external link)
Hamamatsu Castle Park | Motoshiro-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Hamamatsu Castle Park is located about a 20-minute walk from Hamamatsu Station, and is a fall foliage spot that is easily accessible by train or bus.
Centered around Hamamatsu Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived for 17 years, this park is located in an urban area, but where you can enjoy rich natural scenery.
Around the “Seseragi Pond” next to the parking lot, the red and yellow autumn leaves are reflected on the surface of the lake, and you can enjoy the scenery that can only be seen during this season.
There is a promenade in the park, and many people, including locals enjoying walks with their dogs and tourists visiting Hamamatsu Castle, stopped by to admire the beautiful autumn leaves.
In the park, there are not only maple trees that turn red, but also large ginkgo trees that are bright yellow.
The large ginkgo tree in front of the bronze statue of Ieyasu near the castle tower gate was so tall that you could look up at it, and all of its leaves were turning yellow.
You can enjoy the majestic sight of ginkgo trees against the background of the “Nozura Sumi” stone wall, which uses natural stones in their original form.
There is also a Japanese garden within the park, and the quaint autumn foliage scenery is also a highlight.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom surrounding the castle tower of Hamamatsu Castle. It is also a recommended spot during the cherry blossom viewing season.
*Image provided by: Hamamatsu City Park Management Office
<Best time to see autumn leaves at Hamamatsu Castle Park>
Usually late November to early December
*The autumn leaves photography in this article was taken in early December 2023.
<Crowd situation>
The parking lot is crowded on holidays during the season.
If you want to enjoy the autumn leaves without crowds, we recommend visiting the park in the morning on holidays or on weekdays.
Additionally, depending on the number of visitors to the Taiga Drama Museum adjacent to Hamamatsu Castle Park, it may become crowded even on weekdays.
<Hamamatsu Castle Park facility information>
address : 〒430-0946
100-2 Motoshiro-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 053-473-1829 (Park Management Office)
>>Hamamatsu Castle Park official website (external link)
Ryutanji Temple | Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Ryotanji Temple is located to the north of Lake Hamana, also known as Oku-Hamanako, and is also known as the place associated with Ii Naotora.
Ryutanji Temple is famous for its Enshu-style garden designed by Kobori Enshu, a feudal lord who served Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is also a popular spot for autumn leaves.
The garden on the north side of the main hall is said to have been designed by Kobori Enshu. During the autumn foliage season, the azaleas and maples turn red, creating a beautiful contrast to the moss-covered garden.
In front of the main hall, there is also a dry landscape garden modeled after the shape of Lake Hamana, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery.
<Best time to see autumn leaves at Ryutanji Temple>
Usually mid-November to mid-December
<Ryutanji Temple facility information>
address : 〒431-2212
1989 Iitani, Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 053-542-0480
>>Ryutanji Temple official website (external link)
Hokoji Temple | Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Hokoji Temple, located in the Okuyama area of Lake Okuhamana, is one of the most famous temples in the Tokai region, with buildings that are both nationally important cultural properties and registered cultural properties within its vast grounds.
During the fall foliage season, the maple trees in the temple grounds turn red, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.
The recommended view is the view of the red bridge called “Kihaikyo”. You can enjoy the sight of Hokoji Temple surrounded by nature, dyed in brocade.
There is also a course where you can take a walk with your dog, so it is recommended for those who are thinking of visiting the autumn leaves with their dog.
<Best time to see autumn leaves at Hokoji Temple>
Usually mid-November to mid-December
<Facility information of Hokoji Temple>
address : 〒431-2224
1577-1 Okuyama, Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 053-543-0003
>>Official website of Hokoji Temple (external link)
Shirakura Gorge | Tatsuyama-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City
Shirakura Gorge is a valley located upstream of the Shirakura River, a tributary of the Tenryu River, and is known as one of the best spots for autumn leaves in Enshu.
Along the valley is the Shirakura Gorge Hiking Course, where you can enjoy the soothing sound of waterfalls and the murmuring of the river, as well as a blanket of autumn leaves.
Not only the autumn leaves season, but also the fresh green season is recommended. You can enjoy forest bathing full of negative ions and refresh your mind and body.
<Best time to see autumn leaves in Shirakura Gorge>
Mid-November to mid-December
<Facility information of Shirakura Gorge>
address : 〒431-2224
1577-1 Okuyama, Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL : 053-543-0003
[Hidden spot] Urakawa | Sakuma-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City
You can also enjoy beautiful autumn leaves at Urakawa in Sakuma-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City.
This is a little-known spot for autumn leaves that only those in the know know!
One and a half hours by car from the center of Hamamatsu City, the area next to the set meal restaurant “Aikawa” is a must-see spot.
Nearby is Hamamatsu’s unexplored area, Ryuo Gongen Falls.
<Best time to see autumn leaves around Urakawa>
Mid-October to mid-November
<Places where you can see autumn leaves around Urakawa>
address : 〒431-3906
Around Urakawa, Sakuma-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
This time, we introduced 5 recommended autumn foliage spots near Hamamatsu. Please visit the autumn leaves spots that interest you and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
