If you're visiting Japan in the fall, why not enjoy both the beauty of autumn leaves and an "anime pilgrimage"? Many locations featured in popular anime like "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" and "Detective Conan" also happen to be great spots for viewing autumn foliage. It's a perfect way to experience both the world of your favorite series and the charm of Japan’s seasonal beauty.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected anime-related destinations that are perfect to visit during fall, complete with the best time for viewing foliage and access info!
*By purchasing or reserving products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
👉 Purchase "Demon Slayer" merchandise [Animate]
👉 Purchase "Detective Conan" merchandise [Animate]
Demon Slayer: Northern Culture Museum (Niigata Prefecture)
The Northern Culture Museum in Niigata Prefecture is known among fans for resembling the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters (Ubuyashiki Residence) from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," and has become a popular pilgrimage spot.
This cultural facility preserves and opens to the public the former residence of the Ito family, once one of the most prominent landowners in the Echigo region. The vast grounds feature stately Japanese architecture and a beautiful stroll-style garden with a central pond.
In autumn, the trees in the garden burst into vivid color, and the view from the grand hall looks just like a painting. When the garden is lit up at night, a completely different and magical atmosphere emerges, highlighting the depth and dimension of the space.
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👉 Recommended experiences and activities in Niigata Prefecture [kkday]
Northern Culture Museum
Best time for autumn leaves: Mid to late November (During peak season in late November, opening hours are extended and the garden is illuminated at night)
- Address: 2-15-25 Soumi, Konan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
- Access: About 25 minutes by taxi from JR Niigata Station, or about 20 minutes by taxi from JR Niitsu Station
- Opening hours: April to November 9:00–17:00, December to March 9:00–16:30
- Admission: Adults ¥800, Elementary & Junior High School students ¥400 (Free for students on Sundays and public holidays)
- Official website: https://hoppou-bunka.com/
Detective Conan: Crimson School Trip Arc – Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto Prefecture)
In "Detective Conan: Crimson School Trip Arc," Conan temporarily returns to his original form as Shinichi Kudo and visits Kyoto with Ran and Sonoko. Many iconic Kyoto landmarks appear in the story, but one of the most memorable is Kiyomizu-dera. A particularly touching scene for fans is when Ran and Shinichi take a commemorative photo with the temple’s famous "Kiyomizu Stage" in the background.
Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera was registered in 1994 as part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."
As one of Kyoto’s most iconic tourist attractions, Kiyomizu-dera is beautiful throughout the year, but autumn is something truly special. The temple grounds become a breathtaking world of vibrant colors. From the Okunoin Hall, visitors can get a perfect view of the Kiyomizu Stage, making it a popular photo spot with a composition often seen on social media.
👉 Purchase "Detective Conan" merchandise [Animate]
👉 Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha | Osaka or Kyoto pickup/drop-off [kkday]
Kiyomizu-dera
Best time for autumn leaves: Mid-November to early December (Special autumn nighttime viewing: November 22 – December 7)
- Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from the "Kiyomizu-michi" or "Gojo-zaka" city bus stops
- Opening hours: 6:00–18:00 (Closes at 18:00 in July and August) During the spring, summer, and autumn special nighttime viewing periods, final admission is at 21:00
- Admission: Adults ¥500, Elementary & Junior High School students ¥200
- Official website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
Rurouni Kenshin – Togetsukyo Bridge & Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple (Kyoto Prefecture)
Togetsukyo Bridge
The beautifully colored bridge featured in the opening sequence of the anime "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story" closely resembles Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Many fans believe this might be the model for the scene.
The charm of Togetsukyo Bridge lies in the vivid colors of the surrounding mountains that turn bright red, yellow, and orange in autumn. Nearby are many other famous autumn foliage spots, including Tenryu-ji Temple, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Hogon-in Temple. Visiting the bridge while exploring these places allows you to fully experience the beauty of Arashiyama in the fall.
👉 Purchase "Rurouni Kenshin" merchandise [Animate]
Togetsukyo Bridge
- Best time for autumn leaves: Late November to early December
- Address: Nakanoshima-cho, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Access: About 2 minutes on foot from Keifuku Railway (Randen) Arashiyama Station
About 8 minutes on foot from Hankyu Arashiyama Station
About 11 minutes on foot from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Nestled deep in the Sagano area of Kyoto, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a peaceful and serene temple. Its grounds are home to around 1,200 rakan (disciple) statues, each with a unique and expressive face.
This one-of-a-kind scene filled with moss-covered stone figures also appears in the ending sequence of the anime "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story" set to the song "It’s gonna rain!" The atmospheric visuals left a strong impression and made this temple a popular pilgrimage site among fans.
In autumn, the surrounding trees turn brilliant shades of red and yellow, and fallen leaves scatter among the statues, creating an otherworldly beauty. The stillness, combined with the harmony of stone and seasonal color, leaves visitors deeply moved. If you're a fan of "Rurouni Kenshin," this is a wonderful place to quietly soak in the mood of the series and the charm of Kyoto in fall.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Best time for autumn leaves: Early to mid-November
- Address: 2-5 Fukatani-cho, Saga Toriimoto, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Access: Immediately after getting off Kyoto Bus No. 94 at "Atago-dera-mae"
- About 5 minutes by taxi from the north exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
- Opening hours: 9:00–16:15
- Closed: Wednesdays (If Wednesday is a national holiday, the temple is open and closes the following Thursday instead)
- Admission: Adults ¥500, Elementary & Junior High School students Free
- Official website: https://www.otagiji.com/
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Chihayafuru – Omi Jingu Shrine (Shiga Prefecture)
Omi Jingu Shrine is known as the setting of the anime "Chihayafuru," which centers on the traditional Japanese card game Hyakunin Isshu competitive karuta. It’s also the venue of the All Japan High School Karuta Championship, often referred to as the "Koshien of Karuta"—the tournament the main character Chihaya and her friends strive to reach.
The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji, the 38th emperor of Japan. Within the shrine grounds, you'll find points of interest like the "Karuta Frame" and the "Clock Museum and Treasure Hall," making it a special place not only for anime fans but also for karuta enthusiasts.
The vivid red shrine buildings standing out against lush greenery offer picturesque views all year round. In particular, during autumn when the leaves turn color, or on crisp early spring days, the scenery can stir emotional memories of the anime’s most touching scenes.
👉 Purchase "Chihayafuru" manga and merchandise [Animate]
👉 Recommended experiences and activities in Shiga Prefecture [kkday]
Omi Jingu Shrine
- Best time for autumn leaves: Mid-November to early December
- Address: 1-1 Jingū-chō, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
- Access: About 9 minutes on foot from Keihan Railway Omi Jingu-mae Station
About 3 minutes by taxi from JR Otsukyo Station - Opening hours: 6:00–18:00 (Prayer services available from 9:30–16:00)
- Official website: https://oumijingu.org/
K-On!: Nanzen-ji Temple (Kyoto Prefecture)
The aqueduct at Nanzen-ji Temple appears in the opening sequence of the anime "K-On!" Fans believe it’s the place where the After School Tea Time members took photos, and it's become a popular spot for anime pilgrimage.
Nanzen-ji is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and is considered one of the highest-ranking temples of its kind. It was originally built in the Kamakura period by converting Emperor Kameyama’s detached palace into a Zen temple, and it boasts over 700 years of history.
In autumn, the vast temple grounds are painted with brilliant colors. The Sanmon Gate, Hojo Garden, and the area around the aqueduct are particularly photogenic. The contrast between the traditional buildings and the red and golden leaves is stunning, making Nanzen-ji one of Kyoto’s most famous autumn spots.
👉 Purchase "K-On!" merchandise at [Animate]
Nanzen-ji Temple
- Best time for autumn leaves: Mid to late November
- Address: Fukuchi-cho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Subway Keage Station;
About 10 minutes on foot from the city bus stops "Higashitenno-cho" or "Nanzenji/Eikando-michi" - Opening hours: December 1 – February 28: 8:40–16:30 / March 1 – November 30: 8:40–17:00
- Admission: Hojo Garden: Adults ¥600, High school students ¥500, Elementary & junior high school students ¥400
Sanmon Gate: Adults ¥600, High school students ¥500, Elementary & junior high school students ¥400
Nanzen-in: Adults ¥400, High school students ¥350, Elementary & junior high school students ¥250 - Official website: https://nanzenji.or.jp/
Super Cub: Kamanashi River Bridge Pocket Park & Mt. Wada Pass Viewpoint (Yamanashi Prefecture)
"Super Cub" is a story about a high school girl named Koguma whose world begins to open up after encountering a Super Cub. The anime is set in the nature-rich Yamanashi Prefecture. Its faithful recreation of real-life scenery makes it perfect for anime pilgrimage, especially in autumn when the fall colors add to the charm of touring spots.
👉 Purchase "Super Cub" manga and merchandise at [Animate]
👉 Recommended experiences and activities in Yamanashi [kkday]
Kamanashi River Bridge Pocket Park
This park appears in the key visual of the anime. The bridge over the Kamanashi River and the gazebo are believed to be the model for the illustration, and it's become a must-visit spot for fans.
Located in Nagasaka-cho, Hokuto City, "Kamanashi River Bridge Pocket Park" is a small open space with a gazebo and a parking area. Visitors can relax while enjoying the fresh river breeze, and the view includes Mt. Kaikoma and other scenic spots in the distance.
While it's not specifically a fall foliage spot, the appeal lies in the picturesque river and mountain views. In autumn, the trees around the area change color, and the red and yellow hues of the surrounding mountains make for beautiful photos.
Kamanashi River Bridge Pocket Park
- Address: Hino, Nagasaka-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: About 5 minutes by car (or 40 minutes on foot) from JR Hinoharu Station
Mt. Wada Pass Viewpoint
The Mt. Wada Pass Viewpoint appears in the anime's opening and in episode 2. It’s a small viewing area with a few parking spaces and benches. From here, you can overlook the Kofu Basin, and on clear days, even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.
Typically, the surrounding mountains hit their peak autumn color around November. The vibrant red and yellow hues combined with views over Kofu City make this spot ideal for touring by motorcycle or car.
Mt. Wada Pass Viewpoint
- Address: Wada-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from JR Kofu Station
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