Hasedera Temple Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed

長谷寺(奈良)の紅葉 — Sakurai, Nara (Kansai)

Hasedera climbs a hillside in eastern Nara prefecture, and the way in is the Noborirou: 399 covered stone steps under hanging lanterns, rising to a main hall built out over the slope on a wooden stage. In late autumn the whole ravine turns and the view back down from that stage is of maples filling the valley. Entry is 500 yen for junior-high age and above, 250 yen for primary school children; the temple opens 9:00 to 17:00 in October, November and March.

Background

The temple's founding is dated to 686, when the monk Domyo installed a bronze plaque — now a National Treasure — for the ailing Emperor Tenmu. It is the 8th temple of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage and the head temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism. The present main hall, a stage structure in the same manner as Kiyomizudera's, was rebuilt in 1650 under the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Its eleven-headed Kannon stands over ten metres tall and is among the largest wooden statues in Japan.

Getting there

Hasedera Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line is about twenty minutes away on foot: down to the river, then up the temple approach. From Osaka Uehonmachi the express takes about an hour. From Nara, change at Yamato-Saidaiji and Yamato-Yagi.

Tips

• The 399 steps are shallow and covered, and take about fifteen minutes at an unhurried pace — this is a climb, but not a hard one.
• The main hall stage is the view; go all the way up before you start photographing anything.
• Hasedera is more famous for its peonies in late April, which means the autumn crowds are a fraction of Nara Park's.
• The approach road from the station is lined with kusa-mochi shops, and several will grill them for you on the spot.

Last verified against the official source: Sun, September 13, 2026