Kagawa Autumn Foliage: Kankakei, Ritsurin Garden & Mt. Daisenzan

Autumn Foliage in Kagawa

Crimson autumn color blazing across the cliffs of Shodoshima — the largest island in western Japan — the gentle falling of autumn leaves in a famous garden that has been passed down through 400 years since the Edo period, and the deep silence of standing alone facing the clouds on a misty mountain summit. Kagawa's autumn conceals depths and variety that no one can imagine before visiting.

From early October to late November each year, the mountains and valleys begin to be dyed in vivid gradations of red, orange, and yellow. Illuminated by the gentle, soft light of the Seto Inland Sea, these landscapes are so beautiful they seem unreal — creating an illusion of having wandered into a dream. Kagawa is known nationwide as "the prefecture of udon noodles," but the scenery the prefecture shows only in autumn is every bit as remarkable as its famous cuisine.

The official peak periods published by Kagawa Prefecture and spot operators span from late October (high-altitude Okawa-yama) through late November (Ritsurin Garden), with Kankakei Gorge peaking in early to late November. The mild Seto Inland Sea climate means foliage colors are relatively slow to develop, but when they do peak, the contrast of red and yellow against the still blue sea views visible from the mountains is extraordinary.

Kankakei Gorge (Shodoshima, Tonosho Town)

One of Japan's Three Great Gorges, Kankakei (literally "the valley where the rocks hang") on Shodoshima Island is a geological masterpiece — sheer volcanic rock faces and peculiarly shaped rock formations towering above a river valley, accessible by a spectacular ropeway that ascends through the heart of the gorge.

In autumn, the maple and oak trees covering the gorge walls turn brilliant red and orange, the vivid color contrasting dramatically with the dark grey volcanic rock. The view from the ropeway during the descent — looking down through the changing colors at the gorge floor — is among the most dramatic in Shikoku.

At the top of the ropeway, a walking trail leads through the summit area with panoramic views across the Seto Inland Sea — the combination of autumn color in the foreground and the island-dotted blue sea in the distance is genuinely breathtaking.

Best period: Early to late November (the ropeway operator's official FAQ states the typical peak runs from early November to late November, with colors progressing from the summit downward)

Access: Ropeway departs from near the mouth of the gorge, accessed by bus from Tonosho Port.

Ritsurin Garden (Takamatsu City)

One of Japan's Special Places of Scenic Beauty and one of the country's finest surviving feudal-era gardens, Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu City is a masterwork of Japanese landscape garden design. Created over approximately 100 years by the Matsudaira lords of the Takamatsu Domain from the early Edo period, the garden features six ponds and 13 scenic hills artfully arranged around pine trees of exceptional form.

In autumn, the garden's Japanese maple trees turn brilliant red, and the combination of the red maples, the shaped pine trees, the stone lanterns reflected in the clear ponds, and the backdrop of Mount Shiun creates a scene of layered, refined beauty that has been celebrated for centuries.

The garden is large — roughly 750,000 square meters — and a complete circuit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The traditional Japanese tea house within the garden (Kikugetsutei) serves matcha and seasonal wagashi sweets in a tatami room overlooking the central pond — a perfect way to rest and absorb the autumn scenery.

Best period: Mid-to-late November

Access: From JR "Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station" (Kotoku Line), about 5 minutes on foot. From "Takamatsu Station," about 20 minutes by bus.

Travel Tips for Kagawa Autumn Foliage

Island Transport: For Shodoshima, ferries run from Takamatsu Port and several other Seto Inland Sea ports. Ferry timetables are posted on the Shodoshima Tourism Association website. A rental car or bicycle is recommended once on the island, as public buses to the interior are infrequent.

Combining with Ritsurin Garden: Ritsurin Garden is easily accessible from Takamatsu Station and can be combined with a half-day or full-day Shodoshima trip — take the morning ferry to Shodoshima, explore the gorge and garden, then return in the late afternoon for an evening garden visit.

Sanuki Udon: No visit to Kagawa is complete without eating Sanuki udon. The smooth, firm noodles in a clean dashi broth are extraordinarily good — and the value is remarkable. During the autumn foliage season, many local udon restaurants open early and close relatively early, so plan meals accordingly.

Weather: Kagawa's Seto Inland Sea climate tends toward mild and dry, making it one of the more reliably comfortable autumn foliage destinations in western Japan. However, evenings can be cool in November — a light jacket or layer is advisable.

Practical Information for the Autumn Foliage Season (Based on Official Announcements)

The following is a summary — based solely on information published on the official websites of the Kankakei Ropeway, the Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association "Udon-ken Tabi Net," the official visitor guide for Ritsurin Garden, and the Manno Town official website — as of September 2026.

Kankakei Ropeway: Fares Rise in November

It is easy to overlook, but the Kankakei Ropeway operates on a three-tier fare structure depending on the period, with November — the foliage season — being the most expensive. Moreover, one-day passes are not sold in November.

※ Children (primary school age) pay half the adult fare. One child under 6 travels free per adult. These fares were revised on 1 September 2023 (Reiwa 5); the old "adult return ¥2,160" and similar figures that remain online are out of date.

Operating hours

• Frequency: every 12 minutes as a rule, with 6-minute intervals on busy days. Gondola capacity: 40 persons; journey time approx. 5 minutes.
• "Round trips on the last car are not available" (official website, verbatim). Boarding the 17:00 car and trying to return on the same car is not possible — please be aware.
• Car parks: Summit Station approx. 200 spaces / Kooun Station approx. 40 spaces; both free of charge
• Visitors using a wheelchair are recommended to board at Summit Station (there are steps between the Kooun Station car park and the boarding platform)
• The ropeway operates year-round but is subject to unscheduled closures for equipment inspections or bad weather. It was completely suspended from 14 January to 6 February 2026 for equipment upgrades (service resumed on 6 February).
• Enquiries: Summit Station 0879-82-2171 / Kooun Station 0879-82-0904

Ferries to Shodoshima: Takamatsu Port → Tonosho Port: ferry approx. 60 min / high-speed boat approx. 35 min / Takamatsu Port → Ikeda Port: approx. 60 min / Takamatsu Higashi Port → Sakate Port: approx. 70 min / Kobe Port → Sakate Port: approx. 3 hours 20 min / Himeji Port → Fukuda Port: approx. 100 min.

Momiji Tea Ceremony: In 2025, the 39th edition was held on Monday 3 November (public holiday) from 10:00 to 15:00 on the Summit Station observation deck, with a free service of matcha and olive manju cakes (first-come, first-served). The date of the 40th edition in 2026 has not yet been announced.

Ritsurin Garden

Visitors admitted free of charge (Kagawa Prefecture residents aged 65 and over; holders of a physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, or mental health welfare certificate, plus one carer; students at Kagawa Campus Members universities) — however, free admission does not apply for the evening hours during the spring and autumn illumination periods.

Car parks (prefectural)

The East Gate Car Park has one rapid charger for electric vehicles, but it cannot be used during the hour before the illumination begins. Also, cars can be left overnight but entry and exit are not possible during night hours. Visitors planning to collect their car after the illumination event should contact the Tourism Office (087-833-7411) in advance. The simplest approach is to take the train (3-minute walk from JR Ritsurin-Koen Kitaguchi Station).

Okawa-yama Campsite (Manno Town)

Town-operated charges (revised 1 October 2023, Reiwa 5)

The prefectural designated camping area charges ¥260 per person per night for the general public (¥150 for groups of 30 or more); ¥150 for children and students (¥100 for groups).

※ Regarding rest days: Udon-ken Tabi Net lists the site as "closed on Tuesdays (open on Golden Week, Obon, and public holidays)," but the Manno Town official website (updated 2 December 2024) does not mention any regular weekly rest day. Please call 0877-84-2165 to confirm before visiting.

What We Could Not Confirm

Let us be direct. The following items could not be found on official websites.

1. Ritsurin Garden's 2026 illumination evening admission fee and start/end times (expected to be announced around late October / 087-833-7411) 2. The date of the 2026 "Momiji Tea Ceremony" (40th edition) (typically announced around October on the Kankakei official website / 0879-82-2171) 3. The 2026 autumn schedule for free shuttle buses to Kankakei (please check with Shodoshima Olive Bus) 4. Operating hours for the shops and restaurants at Kankakei's Summit Station and Kooun Station (the official website only states "located in front of Summit Station") 5. Whether the road to Okawa-yama is subject to winter traffic restrictions, and if so the period (the campsite is closed December–March, so ice on the road is likely, but no official restriction information could be confirmed / Kagawa Prefecture Road Division: 087-831-1111) 6. Whether Okawa-yama's car park is free or paid (Udon-ken Tabi Net lists only "20 spaces") 7. The festival schedule for Okawa-yama Shrine 8. The current operating status of Manno Astronomical Observatory

Information Sources

The figures in this section are based on information published on the following pages (as of September 2026): the Kankakei Ropeway official website (kankakei.co.jp); the Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association "Udon-ken Tabi Net" (my-kagawa.jp); the official visitor guide and car park pages for Ritsurin Garden (ritsuringarden.com); and the Manno Town official website. Fares, times, and operational status are subject to change; please always check the latest official information before you visit.

*Dates and prices are subject to change. Please check the latest information on each official website before you set out.*