Katsuo-ji Temple Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed

勝尾寺の紅葉 — Minoo, Osaka (Kansai)

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Katsuo-ji sits high in the Minoo mountains north of Osaka, twenty-six hectares of grounds built around a pond and a long stair-lined approach that runs under a tunnel of maples. It is known across Japan as the temple of winning, and thousands of small daruma dolls left by visitors sit on every ledge, wall, railing and tree root — an unmistakable sight against the red leaves. Colour runs from mid-November into early December. Entry is 500 yen for adults and 400 yen for school children.

Background

The temple was founded in 727 and given its present name by Emperor Seiwa in the 9th century, after monks here were credited with prayers that aided his recovery. The characters originally meant to defeat the sovereign, which was thought presumptuous, and were softened to the ones used today. It is the 23rd temple on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, a route of thirty-three temples that has been walked since the Heian period.

Getting there

From Senri-Chuo Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko line, a Hankyu bus toward Katsuo-ji takes about thirty minutes. By car it is roughly thirty minutes from Shin-Osaka. There is no station within walking distance and the buses are infrequent, so check the return departure before you go up.

Tips

• The evening illumination runs on weekends and holidays through November rather than nightly, with last admission around 20:00.
• A mist effect is released over the pond on illumination evenings — it photographs well and irritates purists in equal measure.
• Buses down the mountain thin out sharply after dark; if you stay for the lighting, know which one you are catching.
• Minoo Park and its waterfall, the other maple destination on this side of the mountains, pair with Katsuo-ji easily by car and awkwardly by bus.

Last verified against the official source: Sat, September 12, 2026