Shiga Autumn Foliage 2026: Mt. Hiei, Koto Sanzan & Keisokuji

About Autumn Foliage in Shiga

Lake Biwa lies quietly at the center of Japan. The mountains and valleys surrounding its vast water surface transform into blazing red, orange, and yellow in autumn. Shiga's autumn foliage overlaps with the stone pavements of ancient temples, moss-covered approaches, and the surface of Japan's largest lake — wherever you cut a frame, it's as beautiful as a painting. Compared to Kyoto, somewhat fewer people visit, and for that very reason, the greatest charm of Shiga is being able to savor autumn colors amid "genuine stillness."

To you who are tired of noisy tourist destinations, Shiga's autumn foliage gently speaks. An approach you can walk at your own pace without being pushed by the crowds. Fallen leaves you tread upon while feeling the glimmer of Lake Biwa in the distance. The scent of incense and earth drifting in the chilled autumn air. Here, the grace that Japan's autumn originally possessed still certainly remains.

The usual viewing period is early October to late November. The coloring begins from the high-altitude Mt. Hiei, and the foliage front slowly descends to the satoyama (rural mountains) of eastern Lake Biwa. Touring multiple spots while shifting the timing lets you savor the long autumn in its entirety, a way of enjoying it unique to Shiga. Even the time of planning while spreading out a map, wondering "where will be at its peak this weekend," is already part of the trip.

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Koto Sanzan (The Three Mountain Temples of Eastern Lake Biwa)

The collective name "Koto Sanzan" for these three Tendai-sect ancient temples — Saimyoji, Kongorinji, and Hyakusaiji — is a spot worthy of being called the supreme peak of Shiga's proud autumn foliage. Maples and Japanese maples over several hundred years old line both sides of the approach, and when they reach their height, the entire sky is dyed crimson. The precinct looked down upon from atop the stone steps, the inverted foliage reflected in the pond, the vivid vermilion coloring the three-story pagoda that is an Important Cultural Property — from every angle, a sight that makes you gasp awaits.

You're surely not the only one whose hand pressing the camera shutter won't stop. Each of the three mountains has a different expression, and there is a richness here that one place alone could never contain.

What we especially recommend is the combination of Kongorinji's moss garden and the autumn foliage. The red maple leaves quietly fluttering down onto the green moss are so beautiful you lose your words. In a silence as if time had stopped, you just stand there, rooted to the spot — such an experience awaits. Also, from Hyakusaiji's "Famous Garden of the Distant View Under Heaven," you can command a view of the eastern Lake Biwa plain, and the contrast between the red of the foliage and the clear blue of the sky pierces deep into your chest.

Touring all three mountains is the basic course, but if your time is limited, prioritizing Kongorinji is the choice of a local connoisseur. The pairing of the countless Jizo statues lined along the long stone-step approach to the national treasure main hall with the autumn foliage is a sight unique to Koto Sanzan, seen nowhere else.

The best season is early to mid-November. Visiting first thing in the morning (the 8 a.m. hour right after the gates open) lets you sometimes encounter a fantastical scene where morning mist and foliage overlap. The 2 to 4 p.m. hours, when backlight shines in, make the leaves radiate a translucent glow, and they're outstandingly photogenic. Remember too that the morning after rain has cleared can become a "lucky day" when the air is crystal clear and the colors look even more vivid.

Access

For Train + Bus Use: It's convenient to use the "Koto Sanzan Bus" (operating only during the autumn foliage season on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) of the Ohmi Railway Bus from "Omi-Hachiman Station" or "Hikone Station" on the JR Biwako Line. About 30 to 50 minutes to the nearest bus stop for each mountain. Using this bus lets you tour the three mountains efficiently, so checking the timetable in advance on the website gives peace of mind.

For Private Car Use: About 20 to 30 minutes from the "Yokaichi IC" of the Meishin Expressway to each temple. Touring all three mountains takes half a day to a full day, so set out early with time to spare. The intervals between the three mountains are about 10 to 15 minutes by car, so having a private car greatly increases your freedom.

Travel Tip: During the foliage peak on weekends, parking lots can fill up. The iron rule is to arrive on-site 30 minutes before the gates open. An admission fee is required at each temple (around 300 to 600 yen), so having coins ready makes it smooth. Comfortable walking sneakers are essential, and since the stone pavement is extremely slippery when wet, take ample care with your footing. The "Roadside Station Koto Sanzan Fudo Museum" between the three mountains is perfect for a rest or for finding local gourmet. You can also stock up here on Shiga-like souvenirs such as Omi beef croquettes and local vegetables.

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Keisokuji

Keisokuji, sometimes called "the most beautiful autumn foliage approach in Shiga." Even now that it has become an abandoned temple, over a hundred maples that once colored the former precinct create a magnificent tunnel of autumn foliage in fall. Each time you walk the approach piled with fallen leaves, a pleasant crunching sound rises up from your feet — it's a one-of-a-kind place where you can enjoy autumn not just with your eyes but with your ears and skin too, truly a foliage experience savored with all five senses.

Rather than "going to see the autumn foliage," the expression "going to dissolve into the autumn foliage" fits Keisokuji perfectly. It has no touristy flashiness, but for that very reason, genuine stillness and a deep lingering resonance that only those who visit can feel dwell here. Even those who saw it on social media and became curious will surely have their hearts moved by the atmosphere that photos can't convey once they actually visit.

In the vicinity there are also storehouses called Kokodakaku and Yoshirokaku, where you can feel the depth of history while appreciating old Buddhist statues and cultural assets. Buddhist statues and autumn foliage — this combination too is a serene experience unique to the Keisokuji area. Also, nearby there is a maintained hiking course to "Mt. Kodakami," and if you have confidence in your stamina, aiming for the magnificent view of northern Lake Biwa from the summit is also recommended. About 2 to 3 hours from the trailhead to the summit, the sense of fulfillment of walking through blazing autumn foliage is exceptional, and the view of Lake Biwa commanded from the summit brings an irreplaceable sense of accomplishment.

The best season is mid to late November. Visiting aiming for the period when you can see the "carpet foliage" just before the leaves fall, you'll encounter the spectacular sight of the approach buried in red, yellow, and orange leaves. The early morning hours have soft light, and the entire approach faintly glows golden. On the other hand, past noon, sunlight filters through the leaves, showing yet another expression. Both times of day have their own beauty.

Access

For Train + Taxi Use: About 10 minutes by taxi (around 1,200 yen) from "Kinomoto Station" on the JR Hokuriku Main Line. During the foliage season, taxis can get crowded, so reserving in advance gives peace of mind. The contact information for several taxi companies is posted in front of the station, so you can check right after arrival.

For Private Car Use: About 15 minutes from the "Kinomoto IC" of the Hokuriku Expressway. During the foliage season (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November), the surrounding roads can become congested, and a temporary parking lot (10 to 15 minutes on foot) may be set up. A weekday visit is the spot to aim for, and it's well worth visiting even by using paid leave mid-week.

Travel Tip: The approach is unpaved, with some places where the footing is unstable. Visit in trekking shoes or shoes with firm soles. Since there are few shops and restaurants in the vicinity, prepare drinks and light snacks in advance. At Kinomoto's roadside station "Shiozu Kaido Ajikama no Sato," local ingredients of the northern Lake Biwa area, pickles, funa-zushi, and more are available, and stocking up here before heading over is the local way. Stopping by on the way back to choose local sake is also one of the joys of travel. Also, Keisokuji has free admission (viewing the storehouses is paid), but please do cooperate with the donation box as a gesture of gratitude for its upkeep.

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Mt. Hiei

Mt. Hiei, towering serenely on the border with Kyoto, is a place long loved by locals as a "hidden autumn foliage spot" accessed from the Shiga side. The entire mountain, which holds the World Heritage Enryakuji, is dyed red and yellow in autumn, and combined with the view from the 848-meter elevation, it produces spectacular scenery so beautiful you lose your words.

Standing atop the mountain and simultaneously gazing at the silver glimmer of Lake Biwa spreading below and the carpet of foliage continuing from your feet — that sight is carved into your heart as an unforgettable memory once seen. "Was there such a beautiful place this close?" — even locals feel a fresh emotion every year at Mt. Hiei's autumn foliage.

Since many tourists visit from the Kyoto side, climbing from the Shiga side (the Sakamoto route) means far fewer people, and you can fully enjoy the foliage in relaxed time. It's no exaggeration to say this is the correct way to enjoy Mt. Hiei, known only to Shiga residents. In the village of Sakamoto, spots radiant with garden beauty such as "Hiyoshi Taisha" and "Kyu-Chikurin-in" are also dotted about, making the stroll after coming down the mountain fulfilling as well. In particular, the foliage reflected in the pond-strolling garden of Kyu-Chikurin-in is so beautiful it takes your breath away, and it's highly regarded even among photography enthusiasts as a scenic spot known only to those in the know. The yellow leaves of the zelkova lined around the riding grounds of Hiyoshi Taisha are also one of the pleasures when walking autumn Sakamoto. Do take the time to walk the village leisurely.

The best season is late October to mid-November. Since the coloring begins from near the summit, you can enjoy chasing the spots at their peak — atop the mountain in the early period, and the village of Sakamoto at the end. Foliage seen in the crystal-clear air of early morning is exceptional, and if conditions align, you may even encounter a miraculous morning where a sea of clouds and foliage overlap. The probability isn't high, but it's precisely on a morning when you got up early and set out that you encounter an unforgettable sight.

Access

For Train + Cable Car Use: About 20 minutes on foot from "Hieizan-Sakamoto Station" on the JR Kosei Line to the "Sakamoto Cable" boarding point. About 11 minutes by cable car, then about 5 minutes on foot from the terminal "Cable Enryakuji Station" to the Enryakuji area. From the Osaka and Kyoto directions, it's about an hour or so to Hieizan-Sakamoto Station. The foliage viewed from the cable car is also exceptional, and the ride itself is already part of the sightseeing experience.

For Car Use: About 10 minutes from the "Ogoto IC" of the Kosei Road to the Sakamoto area. You can also access the mountaintop by car using the Hieizan Driveway (toll applies). Since you move on foot from the mountaintop parking lot to each area of Enryakuji, comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Travel Tip: The mountaintop is 5 to 8°C colder than the lowlands, so even in October, a fleece or jacket is a necessity. Be sure to bring compact rain gear so you can cope with sudden weather changes too. The Sakamoto Cable can form lines on weekends during the foliage season. The golden plan that lets you spend a fulfilling day while avoiding crowds is to take the cable car straight up the mountain on the way there, and walk slowly down the stone pavement of the village of Sakamoto on the way back. Viewing Enryakuji requires a separate admission fee (1,000 yen for adults), so check in advance.

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Foliage Viewing Periods and How to Enjoy

| Spot | Viewing Guide | Features | |---|---|---| | Mt. Hiei | Late October to mid-November | High elevation, colors earliest | | Koto Sanzan | Early to mid-November | Harmony with ancient temples, busiest | | Keisokuji | Mid to late November | The carpet of fallen leaves is spectacular |

Shiga's autumn foliage doesn't end with merely "looking." Breathing in the air of historic temples and shrines to your heart's content, listening closely to the sound of treading on fallen leaves, all the way to a cup of warm tea drunk in the chilled autumn air — everything becomes a travel memory. A richness within stillness that can never be experienced at famous spots crowded with tourists — that is the true value Shiga's autumn foliage holds.

Have your heart trembled at the start of autumn on Mt. Hiei, be intoxicated by the height of brocade autumn at Koto Sanzan, and cherish the quiet late autumn at Keisokuji. By touring the three spots with shifted timing, you should be able to hold Shiga's autumn entirely in your hands.

Now, this autumn, head to the shore of Lake Biwa. A time to quietly face the genuine Japanese autumn that lies beyond the crowds is surely waiting for you.