13 autumn leaf spots in Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Nagasaki
- Takachiho Gorge, Nagata Gorge, Kirishima Jingu and Ohashi Kannon are free; paid spots cost ¥500 at Kikuchi Gorge to ¥1,600 at Sengan-en.
- Peak foliage is mid-October to mid-November at Ebino Kogen, and late November to early December at Kirishima Jingu and Sengan-en.
- Jufukuji's reflected autumn leaves are open from November 14 to 23, 12:00–16:00, for ¥500.
This page covers autumn leaves at 13 places in Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Nagasaki where admission fees and parking could be confirmed. The earliest are Ebino Kogen (Miyazaki) from mid-October and Nita Pass (Nagasaki) from late October; the latest are Kirishima Jingu and Sengan-en (Kagoshima), until early December. Peak times are the usual ranges shown by each prefecture’s tourism site; the actual color depends on temperature.
In short
- October to early November: Ebino Kogen (Miyazaki; usually mid-October to mid-November), Nita Pass (Nagasaki; late October to mid-November), Takachiho-gawara (Kagoshima; early November).
- Mid to late November: Kikuchi Gorge (Kumamoto), Takachiho Gorge and Mitate Gorge (Miyazaki), Onamiike (Kagoshima), Ohashi Kannon (Nagasaki).
- Until early December: Kirishima Jingu and Sengan-en (both usually late November to early December), Nagata Gorge (Miyazaki; mid-November to early December).
- At night: Nagata Gorge (free; November 8 to December 6, 17:00 to 20:00), Misoji-en (¥600; about November 21 to December 6, from the evening).
- Fixed viewing days: Jufukuji’s “reflected autumn leaves” (November 14 to 23, 12:00 to 16:00, ¥500).
Checked with official pages on October 21, 2026 (Japan time).
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1. 13 places compared: peak times, fees and parking
Four places are free: Takachiho Gorge, Nagata Gorge, Kirishima Jingu and Ohashi Kannon. Paid: Kikuchi Gorge ¥500, Jufukuji ¥500, Misoji-en ¥600 and Sengan-en ¥1,600. Click a name to jump to its section.
| Place | Pref. / city | Usual peak | Entry / donation | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ebino Kogen | Miyazaki, Ebino | Mid-Oct to mid-Nov | – | 200 spaces, ¥500 a day |
| Nita Pass | Nagasaki, Unzen | Late Oct to mid-Nov | Loop road free (donation from ¥100) | Free |
| Takachiho-gawara | Kagoshima, Kirishima | Early Nov | – | Paid |
| Onamiike | Kagoshima, Kirishima | Mid-Nov | – | Limited near the trailhead |
| Kikuchi Gorge | Kumamoto, Kikuchi | Mid to late Nov | ¥500 (high school and older) | Free |
| Ohashi Kannon | Nagasaki, Sasebo | Mid to late Nov | Free | Yes |
| Takachiho Gorge | Miyazaki, Takachiho | Early to late Nov | Free | ¥500-1,000 |
| Mitate Gorge | Miyazaki, Hinokage | Early to late Nov | – | – |
| Nagata Gorge | Miyazaki, Mimata | Mid-Nov to early Dec | Free | 40 spaces |
| Kirishima Jingu | Kagoshima, Kirishima | Late Nov to early Dec | Free | 500 spaces, free |
| Sengan-en | Kagoshima City | Late Nov to early Dec | ¥1,600 | Cars ¥500 |
| Misoji-en | Nagasaki, Unzen | Open about Nov 21 to Dec 6 | ¥600 | 100 spaces |
| Jufukuji | Nagasaki, Sasebo | Open Nov 14 to 23 | ¥500 | 60 spaces, free |
A dash means no information was found. Once you have a date, check with each place’s contact to be sure.
2. Kumamoto: Kikuchi Gorge, usually mid to late November, open until November 30
The Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation’s autumn feature puts Kikuchi Gorge’s peak at mid to late November (checked September 23, 2026). It is open from April 1 to November 30. Entry is ¥500 for high school students and older, and free for junior high school students and younger. Parking is free: the 1st lot (about 80 cars), plus a 2nd lot (about 45 cars) and a central lot (about 300 cars) used only in the busy season.
The gorge may be closed when a heavy rain warning is issued. From December 1 you can still enter, but staff are not present. For the walking course and highlights, see our Japanese page on Kikuchi Gorge. Source: Kikuchi Gorge entry fee, open period and parking guide (Japanese)
| Name | Kikuchi Gorge |
|---|---|
| Address | 5026 Hara, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto (Kikuchi Gorge management office) |
| Hours / Closed | 8:30–17:00 (Open period: April 1–November 30. Entry is permitted outside this period, but no staff are present. May be closed during heavy rain warnings) |
| Phone | 0968-27-0210 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
3. Miyazaki: Ebino Kogen in mid-October, Takachiho Gorge in November
The Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association’s autumn feature gives mid-October to mid-November for Ebino Kogen, early to late November for Takachiho Gorge and Mitate Gorge, and mid-November to early December for Nagata Gorge. Source: 17 autumn leaf spots in Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association (Japanese)
Ebino Kogen: from mid-October, parking ¥500 a day
A plateau about 1,200 m above sea level, where mountain areas color earlier than flat land. In the Miyazaki tourism feature, Rokkannon Mi-ike pond peaks from mid-October to mid-November. A Kagoshima tourism site lists the pond walk at Ebino Kogen as a late October peak. Parking is 200 spaces at ¥500 a day. Source: Ebino Kogen page, Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association (Japanese)
Photo source: Miyazaki Prefecture autumn and winter spots feature (Miyazaki Prefecture press release, November 5, 2025)
Photo source: File:Ebino Plateau02s3s4592.jpg (photo by 663highland, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.5
| Name | Ebino Kogen |
|---|---|
| Address | 1495-5 Suenaga, Ebino City, Miyazaki |
| Phone | 0984-33-3002 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Takachiho Gorge: free entry, parking ¥500 to ¥1,000
There is no entry fee. There are 5 parking lots: the 1st Oshio-i and 2nd Araragi are ¥1,000, the 3rd Ohashi ¥800 and the 4th Oshikata ¥500. The 3rd and 4th are free for the first 60 minutes, and fees apply from 8:00 to 17:00. Rental boats can be booked online from 2 weeks before until 9:00 two days before your day. Same-day tickets are only the ones sold at the desk in the morning. For boat fees and how to get one, see our Japanese page on Takachiho Gorge boats. Source: Takachiho Gorge page, Takachiho Tourism Association (Japanese)
Photo source: Miyazaki Prefecture autumn and winter spots feature (Miyazaki Prefecture press release, November 5, 2025)
| Name | Takachiho Gorge |
|---|---|
| Address | Mitai Oshio-i, Takachiho Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki |
| Phone | 0982-73-1213 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Mitate Gorge: autumn leaf festival in mid-November
A gorge in Hinokage Town. The Miyazaki tourism feature gives early to late November for its peak, with the Mitate Gorge Autumn Leaf Festival in mid-November. The Hinokage Tourism Association says the festival is held every November. For the 2026 schedule and parking, you need to ask the Hinokage Tourism Association. Source: Mitate Gorge Autumn Leaf Festival page, Hinokage Tourism Association (Japanese)
Photo source: Miyazaki Prefecture autumn and winter spots feature (Miyazaki Prefecture press release, November 5, 2025)
| Name | Mitate Gorge |
|---|---|
| Address | Mitate, Hinokage Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki |
| Phone | 0982-78-1021 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Nagata Gorge: night light-up from November 8, free to see
Nagata Gorge in Mimata Town has a light-up from 17:00 to 20:00 from November 8 to December 6, 2026, at no charge. It may be cancelled without notice in bad weather. Parking is 40 spaces (1 large bus). The daytime peak is mid-November to early December. Source: Nagata Gorge Light-up 2026 page, Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association (Japanese)
| Name | Nagata Gorge |
|---|---|
| Address | 6580-1 Nagata, Mimata Town, Kitamorokata District, Miyazaki |
| Hours / Closed | Light-up: November 8–December 6, 2026, 17:00–20:00 (cancelled in bad weather) |
| Phone | 0986-52-9085 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Kagoshima: Takachiho-gawara in early November, Kirishima Jingu and Sengan-en in late November
The Kagoshima tourism site gives early November as the usual time at Takachiho-gawara, mid-November at Onamiike, and late November to early December at Kirishima Jingu and Sengan-en. It starts on the mountain side of Kirishima, and Kirishima Jingu and the gardens in Kagoshima City come last. Sources: Kirishima and Aira autumn leaf guide, Kagoshima tourism site, Nakasatsuma and Minamisatsuma autumn leaf guide (both Japanese)
Takachiho-gawara: usually early November, paid parking
A riverbed at the foot of Mt. Takachiho-no-mine; the Kagoshima tourism site gives early November as the usual peak. Parking is paid. Inquiries go to the Kirishima City tourism PR division. Source: Takachiho-gawara page, Kagoshima tourism site (Japanese)
Photo source: Autumn in Kirishima, colored-leaf spots (Kirishima City press release, November 21, 2025)
Photo source: File:Takachiho-gawara Kirishima City Kagoshima Pref01n4170.jpg (photo by 663highland, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.5
| Name | Takachiho-gawara |
|---|---|
| Address | Taguchi Takachiho-gawara, Kirishima City, Kagoshima |
| Phone | 0995-45-5111 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Onamiike: usually mid-November, use Ebino Kogen parking if full
A crater lake in Kirishima; the Kagoshima tourism site gives mid-November as the usual peak. Parking near the trailhead is limited, and when full you are advised to park at the Ebino Kogen lot (¥500) and use the Kirishima Mountains circular bus. Roadside parking damages Kirishima’s plants and blocks buses and cars, so it is discouraged. Entry restrictions can be issued because of volcanic activity, so check the Kirishima City site before you go. Source: Onamiike page, Kagoshima tourism site (Japanese)
Photo source: Autumn in Kirishima, colored-leaf spots (Kirishima City press release, November 21, 2025)
Photo source: File:Kirishima’s Ohnami pond (52018759293).jpg (photo by Raita Futo, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.0
| Name | Onamiike |
|---|---|
| Address | Makizono-cho Takachiho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima |
| Phone | 0995-45-5111 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Kirishima Jingu: usually late November to early December, free to visit
The Kagoshima tourism site gives late November to early December as the usual peak at Kirishima Jingu. Route 223 running 500 m toward the Miyazaki side from the shrine’s big torii has the same timing; it is about a 10-minute walk from the tourist information center parking lot, and temporary parking opens in the autumn leaf season. Visiting is free, and there are 500 free parking spaces. Fees and buses are in our Japanese page on Kirishima Jingu.
Photo source: Autumn in Kirishima, colored-leaf spots (Kirishima City press release, November 21, 2025)
| Name | Kirishima Jingu |
|---|---|
| Address | 2608-5 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima |
| Hours / Closed | Shrine grounds open freely. Amulet office reception: 8:00–17:00 (open daily) |
| Phone | 0995-57-0001 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Sengan-en: usually late November to early December, ¥1,600 entry
The Kagoshima tourism site says Sengan-en’s autumn leaf highlights are around Oniwa Shrine and the large pond in front of the main residence, usually from late November to early December. Entry is ¥1,600 for ages 15 and over (excluding junior and senior high school students), ¥800 for elementary, junior high and high school students, and ¥1,500 (¥100 off) if you buy the ticket in the official app. Parking is ¥500 a day for a regular car. A chrysanthemum festival also runs from November 1 to 30. For the garden, see our Japanese page on Sengan-en. Source: Sengan-en app ticket guide (Japanese)
| Name | Sengan-en |
|---|---|
| Address | 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima |
| Hours / Closed | 9:00–17:00 (open daily) |
| Phone | 099-247-1551 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Nagasaki: Nita Pass from late October, Misoji-en at night
The Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation’s autumn feature gives late October to mid-November for Nita Pass and mid to late November for Ohashi Kannon, with Misoji-en open about November 21 to December 6. Source: Popular autumn leaf spots feature, Nagasaki Travel Net (Japanese)
Nita Pass: ropeway ¥1,500 round trip, free parking
The Unzen Ropeway’s official site gives the 2026 Nita Pass autumn leaf information as “from early November (planned)” (as of October 21). Myokendake’s usual peak is early to mid-November. The ropeway round trip is ¥1,500 for adults (junior high and older) and ¥750 for children; one way is ¥830 for adults and ¥420 for children. The Nita Pass loop road is free to drive, and a donation of about ¥100 for environmental protection is suggested. Parking is free. Sources: Unzen Ropeway: operation, fares, autumn leaf info, Nita Pass page, Nagasaki Travel Net (both Japanese). For a comparison of national park fees, see our Japanese page on Kyushu national park fees.
Photo source: File: Nita Pass – panoramio.jpg (photo by kajikawa, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 3.0 / File:140322 Mt Unzen Nita Pass Nagasaki pref Japan01s3.jpg (photo by 663highland, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.5
| Name | Nita Pass |
|---|---|
| Address | Obama-cho Unzen, Unzen City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | Ropeway: Summer (until October 31) 8:51–17:23, winter (from November 1) 8:51–17:11 (last uphill: summer 17:03, winter 16:51). Nita Pass loop road 8:00–18:00 (November–March: until 17:00) |
| Phone | 0957-73-3572 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Misoji-en: evening light-up from about November 21, ¥600
Misoji-en in Unzen City is open from about November 21 to December 6, 2026, with a light-up from the evening in that period. Entry is ¥600 for high school students and older, and free for junior high school students and younger. Parking is 100 spaces (large buses allowed). By car it is about 50 minutes from Isahaya IC on the Nagasaki Expressway; by bus, about a 4-minute walk from the Shimatetsu Bus stop “Mimitori”. Source: Misoji-en page, Nagasaki Travel Net (Japanese)
| Name | Misoji-en |
|---|---|
| Address | 1870-4 Minamikizashi, Obama-cho, Unzen City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | 9:00–21:00 (light-up from the evening around November 21–December 6, 2026) |
| Phone | 0957-73-3434 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Jufukuji’s “reflected autumn leaves”: November 14 to 23, ¥500
Jufukuji in Emukae-cho, Sasebo City, opens its “reflected autumn leaves” (sakasa momiji) from Saturday, November 14 to Monday, November 23 (a holiday), 12:00 to 16:00, in 2026. Admission is ¥500, and parking is 60 spaces, free. By car it is about 20 minutes from Sasa IC on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway; by train, about a 10-minute walk from Matsuura Railway’s Emukae-Shikamachi Station. Our Japanese page on Kyushu autumn leaf light-ups and special openings has more. Source: Jufukuji reflected autumn leaves page, Nagasaki Travel Net (Japanese)
| Name | Jufukuji (reflected autumn leaves) |
|---|---|
| Address | 276 Nagasaka, Emukae-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | November 14–23, 2026, 12:00–16:00 |
| Phone | 0956-65-2040 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Ohashi Kannon stone bridge: usually mid to late November, free to see
A stone bridge on the slope of Makinotake in Yoshii-cho, Sasebo City, with no admission fee. The Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Federation’s feature gives mid to late November as the usual peak. Next to it, Makinotake Park is also known for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. By car it is about 30 minutes from Sasa IC on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway; by bus, about a 30-minute walk from “Yoshii” (Saihi Bus); by train, about a 25-minute walk from Matsuura Railway’s Yoshii Station. Source: Ohashi Kannon stone bridge page, Nagasaki Travel Net (Japanese)
Fees and hours may change.
| Name | Ohashi Kannon stone bridge |
|---|---|
| Address | 94 Naoya, Yoshii-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki |
| Phone | 0956-22-6630 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Sources
19 pages we checked
- Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation Kumamotto: 6 autumn leaf spots in Kumamoto
- Kikuchi Gorge: official site
- Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association: 17 autumn leaf spots in Miyazaki
- Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association: Ebino Kogen
- Takachiho Tourism Association: Takachiho Gorge
- Hinokage Tourism Association: Mitate Gorge Autumn Leaf Festival
- Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association: Nagata Gorge Light-up 2026
- Kagoshima tourism site: Kirishima and Aira autumn leaf guide
- Kagoshima tourism site: Nakasatsuma and Minamisatsuma autumn leaf guide
- Kagoshima tourism site: Takachiho-gawara
- Kagoshima tourism site: Onamiike
- Sengan-en: How to use app tickets
- Nagasaki Travel Net: Popular autumn leaf spots feature
- Unzen Ropeway: Operation, fares, autumn leaf info
- Nagasaki Travel Net: Nita Pass
- Nagasaki Travel Net: Misoji-en
- Nagasaki Travel Net: Jufukuji reflected autumn leaves
- Nagasaki Travel Net: Ohashi Kannon stone bridge
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on October 21, 2026 (Japan time).
