Enjoying Autumn Leaves: A 2-Day, 1-Night Trip

Purpose To fully enjoy the autumn leaves in a 2-day, 1-night trip, focusing on Hasedera Temple and Tsubosaka-dera Temple. Schedule Day 1 Travel from Haneda to Osaka (Itami Airport). From Osaka Airport, take the monorail to Hotarugaike, then transfer to the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Osaka Umeda. Enjoy Osaka delicacies like Ikayaki at the snack park on the B1 floor of Hanshin Umeda Main Store. From Umeda Station (Midosuji Line), head to Tennoji, then from Abenobashi, travel via Kashihara Jingu-mae to Tsubosakayama Station. From there, take a bus to Tsubosaka-dera Temple, a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. Tsubosaka-dera Temple is an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple, known as the 6th temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. It is said to have been founded in 703 (Daihō 3). The main deity, the Eleven-Faced Thousand-Armed Kannon, is believed to have miraculous powers for curing eye diseases. In autumn, the temple grounds are beautifully adorned with colorful leaves surrounding the large stone Buddha statues. While accessible by public transport, it is quite far from the Osaka and Nara areas. From Tsubosaka-dera, take a combination of bus and train to Miwa Myojin Ōmiwa Shrine. This is one of Japan's oldest shrines, unique for not having a main hall but instead worshiping Mount Miwa through a triple torii gate. Although time was limited, the serene atmosphere was refreshing. Then, take a bus and train to Hasedera Station. Stay overnight at Yamato-ya, an inn located near the gate of Hasedera Temple. After dinner at the inn, visit the temple's nighttime illumination. The lanterns and the atmosphere were enchanting, though the autumn leaves were less visible at night. The lanterns, however, created a magical ambiance. Day 2 Attend the 7 AM morning service at Hasedera Temple. The inn's proximity to the temple made it very convenient. Experiencing the solemn chanting of dozens of monks in the tranquil morning, surrounded by the majestic temple grounds and mountains, was extraordinary. The autumn leaves added to the beauty. After returning to the inn for breakfast, revisit Hasedera Temple. A morning admission ticket allows re-entry on the same day (note: night admission does not allow re-entry the next morning). Enjoy the stunning autumn foliage. Travel by train to Kintetsu Nara. Have lunch at Naramachi Tofu-an Kondou, a tofu restaurant run by Kondo Tofu Shop. The restaurant is located in a 180-year-old registered tangible cultural property, offering a charming atmosphere in Naramachi. After exploring Naramachi, visit Nara Park to see the deer and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Purchase yomogi mochi and souvenirs near Kintetsu Nara before heading back to Osaka Airport for the return trip. Accommodation: Yamato-ya Located just a 1-minute walk from the gate of Hasedera Temple, Yamato-ya is very convenient for visiting the temple in the evening, morning, and late morning. Note that the rooms do not have private toilets or sinks; these are shared. The bath is also shared and available at designated times. Transportation Public transportation was used, but some areas have infrequent services. It is recommended to thoroughly research and check the latest information in advance. Notes The timing of the autumn leaves can be difficult to predict. Additionally, as most activities are outdoors, the experience is highly weather-dependent. Tourist Spots ♥ Hasedera Temple 731-1 Hase, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture ♥ Tsubosaka-dera Temple 3 Tsubosaka, Takatori Town, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture