A secret spot for viewing autumn colors in Okayama
Recommended for nature lovers!
Hofukuji Temple in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, is well-known among locals as one of the best spots for viewing autumn colors in Okayama, but it’s not known by visitors. You can expect to see red, orange, and green Japanese maples set against the backdrop of the temple gardens and architecture. I visited this temple for the first time a few years ago and was blown away by the gorgeous scenery at every turn!
For history buffs, this Buddhist temple was established in 1232, and was the training facility where the ink painter Sesshu spent his childhood. Anyone can join Sunday morning Zazen meditation sessions from 7:15am for 500 yen; no reservation required.
◆Dates: November 12~19th, 2023
◆Temple hours: 5:00am~5:00pm
◆Location: From JR Okayama Station, take the Hakubi line to JR Soja Station (590 yen), then take a taxi to the temple (about 5~7 minutes)
◆Fee: Free-of-charge
◆Other info: https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/933
◆For more information, click here: http://iyama-hofukuji.jp/about.html
(You may want to use an extension to translate pages in Japanese.)
Japanese maples and traditional temple architecture (photo by the author)
I'm from the U.S.A., but I've lived longer in Okayama. I'm a sake sommelier, certified by the Sake Sommelier Association in London. I love traveling in Japan, beautifully presented food and desserts, great art, taking photos, hiking and walking, visiting gardens, and spending time with family and friends.
