Autumn leaves (紅葉, koyo) in Ehime Prefecture are mostly in mountain gorges, and most spots are easiest to reach by car. This guide compares seven places: Omogo Gorge, Mt. Ishizuchi, Garyu Sanso, Inariyama Park, Matsuyama Castle’s Ninomaru Garden, Nibukawa Gorge and the Besshi Line. It gives the usual peak time, entry cost, parking and how to get there. Peak times are typical ranges from official pages, and the colors change with each year’s weather.
In short
- Mt. Ishizuchi turns first. Ehime’s Saijo City says the summit area is around October 10, the Jojusha shrine area is mid to about October 20, and the foot of the mountain is late October to mid-November.
- Omogo Gorge is usually busy in early November. Inariyama Park peaks in mid to late November.
- Free parking: Omogo Gorge (about 50 cars), Nibukawa Gorge (20), the lot used for Garyu Sanso (43) and Ninomaru Garden (31). Besshi Line has no parking.
- Matsuyama Castle’s official calendar lists a “Garden of Light” (光の庭園) light-up for November, but no 2026 dates yet.
Checked with official pages on October 5, 2026.
The table puts all seven spots side by side. Tap a name to jump to its section.
| Spot | Usual peak | Cost | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omogo Gorge | Early Nov | Not stated | About 50, free |
| Mt. Ishizuchi | Oct 10 up high; late Oct–mid Nov below | Ropeway ¥2,200 round trip | Private, from ¥500 a day |
| Garyu Sanso | Not stated | ¥550 adult | 43, free (nearby lot) |
| Inariyama Park | Mid–late Nov | Not stated | About 100, paid |
| Ninomaru Garden | Not stated | ¥200 adult | 31, free |
| Nibukawa Gorge | Not stated | Free | 20, free |
| Besshi Line | Late Oct–mid Nov (2017 city page) | Not stated | None |
“Not stated” means the official pages we checked do not give that item.
1. Omogo Gorge (面河渓), Kumakogen Town
Ehime Prefecture tourism site
Omogo Gorge is a nationally designated scenic spot at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi. The prefecture’s tourism site says it is busy in early November, when many trees change color. There are two walking paths. The main river path passes sights such as Goshikigawara and Tora-ga-taki falls. The Teppo River path is quieter.
Parking is free, with about 50 spaces. From Matsuyama IC it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes by car, using National Routes 33 and 494 and Prefectural Road 12. For questions, call the Kumakogen Town Tourism Association (久万高原町観光協会) at 0892-21-1192 (in Japanese). Google Maps
2. Mt. Ishizuchi (石鎚山), Saijo City
Saijo City / Ishizuchi Ropeway
Color arrives at different times at different heights. Saijo City’s autumn hiking page (last updated September 22, 2025) says the summit area is around the 10th of October, the Jojusha (成就社) area is mid-October to about the 20th, and the Nishinokawa foot of the mountain is late October to mid-November.
The Ishizuchi Ropeway (石鎚登山ロープウェイ) carries you up from Shimotani Station. For 2026 it runs 8:00–17:00 on weekdays and 7:40–18:00 on weekends and holidays until November 3. From November 4 through December it runs 8:40–17:00 every day. Cars leave at :00, :20 and :40 past the hour.
- Ropeway fare: round trip ¥2,200 for adults (middle school and up) and ¥1,100 for children (elementary school). One way is ¥1,200 and ¥600.
- Tourist lift: ¥600 round trip, 9:00–16:30. The company’s page lists its season as late April to late November.
- By car: private lots along the road charge from ¥500 a day for a regular car. It is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Matsuyama.
- By public transport: take the Setouchi Bus from JR Iyo-Saijo Station to the ropeway. The fare is ¥1,020 for adults and ¥510 for children, with four buses a day each way (timetable of October 1, 2024).
The Ishizuchi Skyline road is open 7:00–18:00 from September 1 to November 30. It is closed from December 1 to March 31. For ropeway questions, call 0897-59-0331 (in Japanese). Google Maps
3. Garyu Sanso (臥龍山荘), Ozu City
Ozu City
Garyu Sanso is a villa and garden on the Hiji River (肱川). The prefecture’s autumn leaves guide lists it among its historic spots, but gives no peak dates for it. Ozu City’s page (updated September 1, 2026) gives these terms:
- Hours: 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, open every day.
- Admission: ¥550 for adults, ¥220 for children (middle school and under). Combined tickets with Ozu Castle are ¥880 and ¥330. A three-site ticket with Ozu Castle and Banshoso is ¥1,100 and ¥440.
- Free entry: children aged 5 and under with a guardian, and Ozu City residents aged 65 and over.
- Parking: use the Osu Machi no Eki Asamoya lot (大洲まちの駅あさもや), 43 regular cars and 6 large vehicles, free. The prefectural site lists a 6-minute walk from the Asamoya-mae bus stop and 7 minutes from the Osu Honmachi stop.
Phone: 0893-24-3759 (in Japanese). Google Maps
4. Inariyama Park (稲荷山公園), Ozu City
Ozu City
Ozu City says the park has about 3,000 maples, including old trees about 200 years old. The prefectural site gives mid to late November as the peak. The park has a maple garden, seating tiers, walking paths and parking. Parking is paid, with about 100 spaces.
The prefectural site lists a maple festival from November 1 to 30 but shows no year, so check before you go. It is about 20 minutes by car from JR Iyo-Ozu Station and about 10 minutes from Ozu IC. Phone the Ozu Tourist Information Center (大洲観光総合案内所) at 0893-57-6655 (in Japanese). Google Maps
5. Ninomaru Garden at Matsuyama Castle (松山城二之丸史跡庭園), Matsuyama City
Matsuyama Castle management office
The garden is open 9:00–17:00 (to 17:30 in August and 16:30 in December and January). Admission is ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for children aged 6 to 12. It closes on the third Wednesday of December for cleaning.
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The castle’s annual event calendar lists a “Garden of Light” (光の庭園) in November, with the note that months and details are plans that may change or be canceled. No 2026 dates are posted yet, so check the official calendar before you plan a night visit.
From JR Matsuyama Station, take the city tram (市内電車) to Kenchomae (県庁前) and walk about 5 minutes. The garden’s own lot has 31 spaces and is free (9:00–17:15 from September to November). The castle’s Kiyo-cho lot is separate and costs ¥420 for 2 hours. Phone the Ninomaru and Horinouchi management office at 089-921-2000 (in Japanese). Google Maps
6. Nibukawa Gorge (鈍川渓谷), Imabari City
Imabari City
Imabari City lists the gorge as free, with no closing day and about 40 minutes for a visit. The prefectural site describes a path from a red bridge and a swaying suspension bridge. Parking is free, with 20 spaces. For questions, call the Imabari City Tamagawa Branch Office (今治市玉川支所) at 0898-55-2211 (in Japanese). Google Maps
7. Besshi Line (別子ライン), Niihama City
Niihama City
Besshi Line is about 10 km of gorge along the upper Kokuryo River. The prefectural site says the area around the red Ikuko Bridge is known for autumn color. The prefectural site lists no parking. It is about 10 minutes by car from JR Niihama Station or Niihama IC, so plan where to leave your car first. Niihama City’s flower calendar gives late October to mid-November for autumn leaves along the Besshi and Suiha Hana Kaido routes, but that page was last updated in 2017. Phone the Niihama City Tourism and Local Products Division at 0897-65-1261 (in Japanese). Google Maps
8. Which one should I choose?
- Earliest color: Mt. Ishizuchi, from around October 10 near the summit.
- In a city, with public transport: Ninomaru Garden in Matsuyama, by tram and a short walk.
- Free and with parking: Nibukawa Gorge, or Omogo Gorge if you can drive about 1 hour 20 minutes from Matsuyama IC.
- A historic garden: Garyu Sanso in Ozu, with free parking at a nearby lot.
9. Common questions
Common questions
Which Ehime spot can I reach without a car?
Ninomaru Garden in Matsuyama (tram from JR Matsuyama Station, then a short walk), and Mt. Ishizuchi by Setouchi Bus from JR Iyo-Saijo Station, four buses a day. Garyu Sanso also lists three bus stops within a 6- to 7-minute walk. For the others, the official pages we checked give only car directions.
Is parking free?
At Omogo Gorge, Nibukawa Gorge, the Asamoya lot for Garyu Sanso and Ninomaru Garden, yes. At Inariyama Park and the lots near the Ishizuchi Ropeway, you pay.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- Ehime Prefecture tourism site, autumn leaves guide (いよ観ネット)
- Saijo City, autumn hiking on Mt. Ishizuchi and Ishizuchi Ropeway fares and hours
- Ozu City, Garyu Sanso and Inariyama Park
- Matsuyama Castle, Ninomaru Garden guide
- Imabari City, Nibukawa Gorge and Niihama City flower calendar
Fees, hours and event dates can change, so check the official page before you go.
