Shuzenji Onsen Autumn Leaves (Momiji Grove) 2026 Confirmed

修善寺(もみじ林)の紅葉 — Izu, Shizuoka (Tokai)

Shuzenji is Izu's oldest hot spring town, and its momiji grove — about a thousand maples massed on a single hectare of hillside — delivers some of the latest color in central Japan, typically mid-November to early December. Down in the town, red maples lean over the Katsura River, the vermilion bridges, and the bamboo grove path, making the whole onsen district one connected foliage walk. The nearby Niji no Sato park runs an evening maple illumination from roughly mid-November to early December, matching the grove's peak.

Background

Shuzenji Temple, which gives the town its name, was founded in the early 800s and is traditionally attributed to the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). The town later became infamous as the exile site of Minamoto shoguns' kin, and in modern times a favorite retreat of writers like Natsume Soseki.

Getting there

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima, transfer to the Izuhakone Railway to Shuzenji Station (about 35 minutes), then a bus roughly 10 minutes into the onsen town. The momiji grove sits on the hill between the town and Niji no Sato; note the natural park lot becomes bus-only parking during foliage season, so public transport is the smoother option.

Tips

• This is one of the last places in the region to peak — a smart late-November choice when Kyoto and the mountains are already past color.
• Walk the grove and the town's bamboo path in the morning, then move to Niji no Sato for the evening illumination.
• The classic town shots are the red Katsura Bridge and Tokko-no-yu spring seen from the riverbank; go before 10am to avoid day-trip crowds from Tokyo.
• Stay overnight in a ryokan — Shuzenji is fundamentally an onsen town, and the riverside lanterns after the day-trippers leave are half the point.