Kaga/Komatsu (Ishikawa)
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[2025 Edition] 6 Recommended Autumn Foliage Spots in the Kaga and Komatsu Area

The Kaga and Komatsu area is located in the southern part of Ishikawa Prefecture. This area is home to the Kakusenkei Gorge, which boasts some of the most beautiful valley scenery in the Hokuriku region, as well as Natadera Temple, which is popular with international visitors. While the area is charming all year round, you can see indescribably beautiful scenery in various places, especially during the autumn foliage season. In this article, we will introduce 6 spots you should visit in the Kaga and Komatsu area during the autumn foliage season.

Kaga (Yamanaka Onsen/Daishoji) Area

Komatsu Area

After strolling through the autumn leaves, enjoy some sweets on the river terrace

Yamanaka Onsen is said to have been loved by Matsuo Basho. Kakusenkei Gorge, which flows along the hot spring town, reaches its peak of autumn colors around mid-November. Deciduous trees such as Japanese maples, maples, and ginkgo trees paint the valley in red and yellow. A walking path of about 1,300 meters is maintained from Koorogi Bridge upstream to Kurotani Bridge, and the area around Koorogi Bridge in particular is spectacular with many Japanese maples. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery woven by the new all-cypress bridge, which was rebuilt in October 2019, and the autumn leaves.
While admiring the autumn leaves, you can appreciate antique art at "Mugen-an," a samurai-style study built in the Kaga Domain near the bridge, or enjoy the autumn scenery and sweets at the riverbed near the Ayatori Bridge during your walk. There is a "Basho-do" hall dedicated to Matsuo Basho near Kurotani Bridge, so why not think of Basho who traveled to this land?

[Start of coloring] Early November every year
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November every year
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, Japanese maple, ginkgo, etc.

Kakusenkei Gorge
  • AddressHigashi-machi to Koorogi-machi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Bus accessFrom JR Kagaonsen Station, take the Kaga Onsen Bus bound for Kayano for 34 minutes, get off at "Kiku-no-yu-mae," and walk for about 4 minutes
  • TEL0761-78-0330 (Yamanaka Onsen Tourism Association)
  • ParkingAyatori-hashi Bridge Parking Lot, free parking for tourists

Autumn leaf viewing that begins from a photogenic suspension bridge

A mountain with an altitude of 942m located deep in Yamanaka Onsen, one of the Kaga Onsen villages. It is said that it was named this because it resembles Mt. Fuji when viewed from the hot spring town. It is also famous as the first mountain climbed by Kyuya Fukada (1903–1971), author of "100 Famous Japanese Mountains," which is known to every mountaineer. Many people climb in the spring to enjoy the deep pink rhododendrons, and in the autumn, there is a constant stream of hikers visiting for autumn leaf viewing.
There are four main climbing trails on Mt. Fujishakagatake, but the "Wadani Course" is very popular. You can reach the summit in about 2 hours. The Wadani Course starts by crossing the Wadani Dam lake on a red suspension bridge, and the view from the suspension bridge and the bridge itself have become a secret popular spot even for non-hikers because they are photogenic. After enjoying the autumn leaves, you can wash away your sweat at a day-trip hot spring in Yamanaka Onsen, killing two birds with one stone.

[Start of coloring] Early November every year
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November every year
[Types of autumn leaves] Japanese beech, etc.

Mt. Fujishagatake
  • AddressOuchi-machi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessAbout 40 minutes by car from JR Kagaonsen Station (Wagatani Trailhead)
  • TEL0761-78-0330 (Yamanaka Onsen Tourism Association)

A sacred place for mountain enthusiasts, dyed in the yellow of ginkgo leaves

Located about a 10-minute drive from Kagaonsen Station is the museum dedicated to Kyuya Fukada, a mountain writer and author of "100 Famous Japanese Mountains," which is considered the bible for mountaineers. Housed in a renovated silk mill built in 1910 (Meiji 43), the museum holds over 500 items, primarily his works and manuscripts. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum also features special exhibitions that allow visitors to explore the history and culture of mountains. There is also a reference room called "Kuzan Sanbo," which houses approximately 15,000 books and materials related to mountaineering, most of which are available for viewing.
After satisfying your intellectual curiosity by touring the museum, head to the garden. Three ginkgo trees, including an old tree estimated to be over 650 years old, and maple trees begin to change color little by little in mid-October, signaling the arrival of autumn. From mid-November to after the 20th, when the autumn foliage is at its peak, the ground is covered with fallen ginkgo leaves, creating a golden, autumnal landscape. It is one of the most charming spots you should definitely visit if you are in Kaga in the autumn.

[Start of coloring] Mid-October (typical year)
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November (typical year)
[Types of autumn leaves] Ginkgo, Japanese maple

Kyūya Fukada Memorial Museum of Mountain Culture
  • Address18-2 Daishoji Bambacho, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 20-minute walk from JR Daishoji Station
  • Business hours9:00–17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • ClosedTuesdays (open if a national holiday), December 30–January 1
  • Admission FeeGeneral: 350 yen, High school students and younger: Free, Seniors (75 and older): 170 yen
  • TEL0761-72-3313
  • ParkingFree

A strolling pond garden with magnificent autumn foliage in tasteful, calm colors

©︎ Kaga City Tourism Association
©︎ Kaga City Tourism Association

This shrine is dedicated to Toshiharu Maeda, the first lord of the Daishoji Domain in Kaga Province, and Sugawara no Michizane, who is associated with the Maeda family. It is affectionately known as "Tenman-san" by the locals, and many citizens visit for a stroll during the autumn foliage season every November. A rare samurai residence garden still exists within the shrine grounds. It is a strolling pond garden influenced by Kenrokuen, with many highlights such as a pond, yatsuhashi (zigzag bridge), and spring water.
The garden is at its most beautiful during the autumn foliage season. You can enjoy the charming autumn colors that match the atmosphere of the castle town of Daishoji. In one corner, there is also "Choryutei," which was built as a summer retreat for Toshinao Maeda, the third lord of the Daishoji Domain. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and if you make a reservation by the previous day, you can tour the interior of the hipped-roof, shingle-roofed building.

[Start of coloring] Early November (typical year)
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November (typical year)
[Types of autumn leaves] Ginkgo, Japanese maple

©︎ Kaga City Tourism Association
©︎ Kaga City Tourism Association
Enuma Shrine
  • Address55 Daishoji Hachikendo, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 16-minute walk from JR Daishoji Station
  • Business hoursMarch–October: 9:00–16:00, November–February: 9:00–15:00 (Choryutei)
  • ClosedDecember 29–January 3 (Choryutei) *Closed during festivals (Choryutei)
  • Admission Fee400 yen (Choryutei)
  • TEL0761-72-0551
  • ParkingFree
  • NotesReservations required to visit Choryutei

The autumn leaves reflected on the river surface are full of charm. A valley beauty that looks just like a brocade painting.

A scenic spot located in the narrowest part of the valley in the middle reaches of the Osugidani River, which flows through the mountainous area of Komatsu City. While it is usually a quiet valley, it bustles with many tourists during the autumn foliage season. From around mid-November each year, the maple and zelkova trees from the river surface to the mountain peaks turn yellow and orange, creating a magnificent landscape reminiscent of a brocade painting. A walking path of about 400 meters is maintained along the valley, which is a nice feature that allows you to enjoy the autumn leaves while taking a leisurely stroll. Yasuna Bridge, which spans near the starting point of the walking path, is an excellent viewpoint where you can see both the autumn leaves and the valley at once. You can fully enjoy the beauty of the valley created by the trees overhanging the river, the colorful mountain slopes along the river, the meandering flow, and the strange rocks.

[Start of coloring] Mid-November annually
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November annually
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, oak, chestnut, zelkova, sawtooth oak, Japanese maple, etc.

Aratama Gorge
  • AddressAkase-machi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 30 minutes by car from JR Komatsu Station
  • Bus accessApprox. 37 minutes by Komatsu Bus bound for Osugi-kamimachi from JR Komatsu Station, then a 2-minute walk from the "Aramata-kyo" bus stop
  • TEL0761-22-4111 (Komatsu City Hall Main Line)
  • ParkingFree

The Japanese maples standing out against the dynamic white rock face are spectacular.

If you want to enjoy dynamic autumn foliage in harmony with nature, head to this ancient temple of Hakusan faith with a 1,300-year history, located about a 15-minute drive from Kagaonsen Station. Buildings designated as National Important Cultural Properties are scattered throughout the scenic beauty that makes use of the rocky mountains, and it has been awarded one star in the "Michelin Green Guide Japon" for its many highlights. In the vast 23-hectare temple grounds, centered around the "Kigan Yusenkyo" where strangely shaped rocks are lined up, 1,000 trees of 15 species, including Japanese mountain maples and Enkianthus perulatus, are planted, and they turn red and yellow around mid-November. The view from the observation deck, which overlooks the entire temple grounds, is particularly spectacular. The red of the burning maples stands out against the white rock surface of Kigan Yusenkyo, drawing you into a mysterious and vibrant view.

[Start of coloring] Early November
[Best time to view] Mid-November to late November
[Types of autumn leaves] Japanese mountain maple, Enkianthus perulatus, ginkgo, etc.

Natadera Temple
  • AddressYu-122 Natamachi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Bus accessFrom JR Awazu Station, take the Komatsu Bus Awazu A-line (downbound) for about 10 minutes and get off at "Natadera Temple," which is right there.
  • Business hours9:15–16:00
  • Admission FeeAdults (junior high school students and older): 1,000 yen, elementary school students: 300 yen, infants: free
  • TEL0761-65-2111
  • ParkingFree

MAP

Kaga (Yamanaka Onsen/Daishoji) Area
Komatsu Area
Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
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*The information provided is current as of the date of the article's update. Please check in advance as it may be subject to change.