Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed
宝満宮竈門神社の紅葉 — Dazaifu, Fukuoka (Kyushu)
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- Typical peak
- Nov 15 – Mon, November 30, 2026
- Venue
- Kamado Shrine, Dazaifu (宝満宮竈門神社)
- Illumination
- Yes — nighttime illumination during peak season
- Scale
- ~500 maple trees
- Official site
- kamadojinja.or.jp
Kamado Shrine stands at the foot of Mount Homan behind Dazaifu, with about 500 maples on the slopes around it. It is best known as a shrine for matchmaking, and its modern amulet hall — a glass-walled pavilion completed in 2013 — sits among the trees more comfortably than it sounds. Colour peaks in the second half of November, and the grounds are lit after sunset for roughly two weeks around the peak.
Background
The shrine was founded in the 7th century on the summit of Mount Homan, north-east of the Dazaifu government seat and therefore in the direction traditionally considered unlucky, to shield the administrative capital of Kyushu from misfortune. It later served as a guardian of envoys crossing to the continent. In recent years it has drawn readers of the manga Demon Slayer, whose protagonist shares the name Kamado; the shrine has never claimed a connection.
Getting there
From Dazaifu Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line, the Mahoroba community bus reaches the Uchiyama stop for the shrine in about ten minutes. It is a forty-minute walk or a fifteen-minute cycle from the station. Dazaifu Tenmangu sits on the same bus route.
Tips
- The illumination dates are announced late — the shrine's own social accounts are the reliable source, not aggregator sites.
- The Mahoroba bus is infrequent; check the return time before you go up, especially if you are staying for the lighting.
- Dazaifu Tenmangu and the Kyushu National Museum are on the same short bus line, which makes a comfortable single day out from Fukuoka.
- The upper approach is stairs through the trees, so allow more time than the map distance suggests.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to see Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves?
- Autumn color at Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves typically peaks from Nov 15 – Nov 30. Exact timing shifts year to year with the weather, so check a real-time foliage forecast close to your trip.
- Where is Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves, and how do you get there?
- Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves is located at Kamado Shrine, Dazaifu in Dazaifu, Fukuoka. From Dazaifu Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line, the Mahoroba community bus reaches the Uchiyama stop for the shrine in about ten minutes. It is a forty-minute walk or a fifteen-minute cycle from the station. Dazaifu Tenmangu sits on the same bus route.
- Is there a nighttime illumination at Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves?
- Yes — Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves holds special evening illumination during peak leaf season. Hours and exact dates change every year, so confirm with the official site before you go.
- How many maple trees are at Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves?
- Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves has roughly 500 maple trees.
- Is Kamado Shrine Autumn Leaves free to enter, or do I need tickets?
- Most autumn leaves spots in Japan are free to enter, though some temples and gardens charge a small admission fee — especially during peak-season night illuminations. Check the official site for this location's exact pricing.
Last verified against the official source: Sat, August 22, 2026
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