Momijidani Park Autumn Leaves (Miyajima) 2026 Confirmed

宮島・紅葉谷公園の紅葉 — Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima (Chugoku)

Momijidani Park — literally "maple valley" — climbs the lower slopes of Mount Misen on Miyajima, a five-minute walk behind Itsukushima Shrine's famous floating torii. About 700 maples, mostly delicate iroha momiji, peak from mid- to late November over a boulder-strewn stream crossed by red bridges, with wild deer wandering through. Entry is free, and an evening illumination has become a near-annual fixture (in 2025 it ran November 8-30, sunset to 9:00pm).

Background

The valley's maples were planted from the Edo period onward as erosion control along the Momijidani River, gradually becoming a strolling ground for pilgrims to Itsukushima Shrine, itself built in its present over-water form by Taira no Kiyomori in 1168. The momiji manju maple-leaf cake was invented here around 1906.

Getting there

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line about 30 minutes to Miyajimaguchi, then the 10-minute ferry across (the JR ferry is covered by the Japan Rail Pass). The park is a 15-minute walk from the pier, five minutes past Itsukushima Shrine, at the base of the Mount Misen ropeway.

Tips

• Stay overnight on the island if you can — day-trippers leave by late afternoon, and the illumination plus the lit torii make evenings the best part.
• The park is free; if you're continuing up Mount Misen, the ropeway boards right at the top of Momijidani.
• Morning light filters down the valley's east-facing slope — shoot the red bridges before 10am, ahead of the midday crowds.
• Buy momiji manju warm off the griddle on Omotesando street on your way back; this island is where the cake was born.