Mt. Shosha Autumn Color Festival 2026

Dates & time: November 21, 2026 (Sat) - November 23, 2026 (Mon) Special opening 10:00–16:00 / Illumination 17:00–20:00
cost: Temple entry donation: ¥800 (junior high and above), ¥500 (elementary), free for younger children. Ropeway return: ¥1,200 adults (junior high and above), ¥600 children (6+)
Venue & access: Engyoji Temple on Mt. Shosha (Himeji) From JR/Sanyo Himeji Station, take Shinki Bus (stop 10) bound for Shoshazan Ropeway to the terminus (about 30 min), then the ropeway to the summit station (about 4 min); Maniden hall is about a 20-min walk.
By car, about 5.5 km east of Sanyo Himeji-nishi IC on the Sanyo Expressway, with free parking beside the ropeway's base station. Heavy crowds are expected during the festival, and public transport is recommended.

How are the leaves now?

…

One-tap reports from visitors. Only the last 3 days are shown.

There are 2 public restrooms within a 8-minute walk of Engyoji Temple on Mt. Shosha (Himeji). The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

Google Calendar Apple Calendar (.ics)

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

X FB LINE

Why You Should Visit

A three-day festival at Engyoji, a historic Tendai temple on Mt. Shosha in Himeji, timed for the autumn leaves. By day, three Important Cultural Properties that are normally closed — Jumyoin, Kongodo and Kaisando — open their interiors to visitors, and in 2026 the wooden seated statue of the temple's founder Shoku, due to be designated an Important Cultural Property, is on view as well. From evening the maples around Maniden hall and Jumyoin are lit up, with both halls open until 8 pm. The ropeway runs late during the festival, so you can see the special opening and the illuminated leaves in a single day.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Related events

Taiko drumming: Sun 8 Nov, 13:30–15:00 (planned) at Jogyodo hall. Free; cancelled in stormy weather. Performers: Yosuke (former member of the taiko group Kodo), Imazaike Shishimai Preservation Society, 柴田未来 and 尊鼓音の会
Mt. Shosha stamp rally: 21–30 Nov, 9:00–17:00. Collect all the stamps at Maniden, Mitsunodo, Kaisando and the ropeway summit station for a limited-edition original gift (exchange at the Shoshazan Ropeway office)

Ropeway and getting around the summit

Extended evening service during the festival (last up 19:15, last down 20:30). From 8:30 every 15 minutes, with extra cars when busy
From the summit station to Maniden is about 1 km along the approach path. A minibus also runs from the entry desk to below Maniden (¥500 return)

*To protect the cultural properties, the special opening may be cancelled in rain

Autumn Leaves History Heritage Hiking Photo Spots Full Day

出典: 姫路市記者発表資料「令和8年度「書写山もみじまつり」を開催します」

Kobe · Gluten-free

Kyoto & Kansai autumn leaves map →

Events

Where to go next

View Recommended Events →

10/17 - 11/8

Himeji Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Sannomaru Square, Himeji Castle (free area)

Next 11/9 +13 more

Ankokuji Temple Dodan-tsutsuji Autumn Leaves Opening

Tajima Ankoku Zenji Temple, Tanto-cho, Toyooka

11/20 - 1/11

Himeji Otemae-dori & Castle Illumination 2026-27

Himeji Station area, Otemae-dori, Himeyama Park and Himeji Castle Sannomaru Square

11/14 - 11/15

Kakogawa Two-Day March 2026 (36th)

Six courses across the city, starting and finishing at the plaza in front of Kakogawa City Hall (central venue)

11/21 - 11/22

Takasago Manto-sai Lantern Festival 2026

The area south of Sanyo Takasago Station (Takasago old town)

Next 11/7 +6 more

Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park

Meriken Park

Next 10/18 +10 more

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/10 - 11/30

Moomin × Kobe Port Tower: a part of KOBE

Kobe Port Tower and 20+ locations across Kobe

FAQ

What happens if it rains?

To protect the cultural properties, the special opening and some other events may be cancelled in rain.

Can I take the ropeway down after the evening illumination?

Yes. During the three festival days the ropeway runs late: the last car up is at 19:15 and the last car down at 20:30. Allow about 20 minutes to walk between the summit station and Maniden.

Can I drive there?

There is free parking for ropeway users beside the base station, but heavy crowds are expected during the festival and Himeji City recommends public transport.