Autumn leaves of Mt. Oiwa

The above photo is an aerial photograph of the autumn leaves of Mt. Oiwa taken from above Saishoji-Temple-Honbo.

Most of Mt. Oiwa is designated as Tochigi Prefectural Natural Park. In addition, the forest around the Bishamonten main-temple is designated by Ashikaga City as a natural monument as a primeval forest of warm-season plants.
Therefore, you can see a wide variety of plants in the Bishamonten precincts, Saishoji-temple-Honbo at the base, the mountain trail from the base to the precincts of Bishamonten, and the area from Bishamonten to the summit of Mt. Oiwa. You can also see many native plants.
The times when the leaves turn red differ at Saishoji-Temple-Honbo at the base, on the mountain trail, and at Bishamonten main-temple depending on the elevation difference in Mt. Oiwa. Autumn leaves can be viewed from around the end of November to mid-December.
*For transportation and parking to Mt. Oiwa, please see traffic access.

The area from the Bishamonten precincts to the top of Mt. Oiwa is designated as a natural habitat for warm-season plants, so you can see many plants that grow naturally within Mt. Oiwa. The season of autumn leaves is about 1 to 2 weeks later than at the foot of the mountain, and the best time to see them is from early to mid-December.

Otokozaka and Onsaka are mountain trails that go along the ridges and valleys of Mt. Oiwa, respectively. Otokozaka, you can enjoy the autumn leaves along the ridge and on the slopes of the mountain on both sides. On the other hand, Onnazaka is lined with dense cedar forests. The autumn leaves can be seen on Otokozaka and Onnazaka from around November 20 to early December, at the same time as at the foot of the slopes near the entrance. The closer to the exit, the later the autumn leaves appear, from the end of November to the beginning of December.

Oiwasan Bishamonten is registered as one of the hiking trails designated by Ashikaga City. The course runs from Orihime Shrine to Gyodo Mountain, and visitors can enjoy the autumn leaves along the way. Although the time of autumn leaves changes depending on the location and the year, the best time to view the leaves is generally from the middle to the end of November to the beginning to the middle of December. Hiking while viewing the autumn leaves is highly recommended.

Guide to Mt. Oiwa hiking trailes

Due to the difference in elevation within Mt. Oiwa, there is a discrepancy in the time of the year when the leaves of the trees turn red. Around the main temple of Bishamonten, the leaves usually turn red one to two weeks later than in Saishoji-Temple at the foot of the mountain, and the best time to see the leaves is usually from early December to around the 10th. Visitors can see the autumn leaves and gingko trees in the precincts of Oiwasan Bishamonten, the oldest Bishamonten in the Kanto area.

Pictures of autumn leaves in the precincts of Oiwasan Bishamonten

Slide show of photos of autumn leaves at Tamonin-Saishoji-Temple-Honbo, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.

You can see a video of the autumn leaves of Saishoji Temple Honbo. In addition to an aerial video of the autumn leaves of the Mt. Oiwa mountain range, you can see a video of the momiji (Japanese maple) and gingko trees in the precincts of the temple in autumn.

End of November
At the end of November, momiji (Japanese maple) trees begin to change color in the Saishoji-temple-Honbo located at the foot of Mt. Oiwa. The Saishoji-temple-Honbo has a single tree that changes from green to yellow to red, and the color changes are very beautiful.

December 1 Goma training
On December 1, goma practices will be held in the main temple of Bishamonten. On that day, the statue of Bishamonten, the principal image of Bishamonten, will be unveiled. In addition, the autumn leaves are at their best in Saishoji-temple-Honbo, and you can see the gradation of colors in the precincts of Bishamonten.

Early December
At Saishoji temple Honbo, you can see "scattered momiji," a carpet of red that covers the ground. In addition, the autumn leaves in Mt. Oiwa, on the mountain trail, and in the precincts of Bishamonten are also at their best.

・Orihime Park Maple Valley 2884 Nishinomiya-cho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi 326-0817
・Historic Ashikaga School 2338 Shohei-cho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi 326-0813
・Banna-ji Temple 2220 Ietomi-cho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi 326-0803

Ashikaga City Web site：【Recommended autumn and yellow leaves spots】