MayAutumn Leaves · Chugoku & Shikoku
Sandankyo Gorge
Akiota, HiroshimaGorge🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Mid Nov
Overview
Overview
A gorge about 16 km long, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, in the mountains about an hour by bus from Hiroshima City. Autumn leaves color its sheer rock walls, mountain streams and waterfalls, and you can enjoy the autumn beauty of the gorge on its walking trails.
- Address
- Akiota-cho, Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima
- Time needed
- About 2.5 hours for the Kurobuchi round-trip course
- Official website
- https://cs-akiota.or.jp/sandankyo/
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually late October to mid-November
September
October
November
December
Varies with each year’s temperatures. Check the official website or the tourism association’s autumn leaves updates for the latest colors
🍁 These spots are in their typical peak period. Actual colors shift with each year’s temperatures, so check the official foliage updates too.
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
Highlights reached by ferry boat and walking trail follow one after another: Kurobuchi, surrounded by 100 m cliffs; Nidan Falls, called the most secret of secret places; and Sandan Falls, which drops in three tiers. The popular Kurobuchi round-trip course takes about 2.5 hours.
📷 Best views
Kurobuchi
A pool surrounded by 100 m cliffs, crossed by ferry boat, with Kurobuchiso, the only rest facility in the gorge
Nidan Falls
A waterfall beyond the narrow rock passage of Sarutobi, called the most secret of secret places
Sandan Falls
A waterfall that drops in three tiers. About 30 min one way from the Mizunashi entrance
Hours
Opening hours
Kurobuchi ferry boat10:00–16:00
Usually operates from late April to late November. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays; may be suspended depending on weather and water level
Sarutobi ferry boat10:00–15:00
Since July 2026, a 3-person rental boat system. Closed in winter
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Kurobuchi ferry boatAdults (high school students and up) round trip ¥500, one way ¥300; children (junior high school students and younger) round trip ¥400, one way ¥200
Sarutobi ferry boat (rental boat)¥4,000 per boat for 30 min
¥3,000 during the opening campaign
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓As of September 30, 2026, the sections from the Yokogawa entrance to the Yoshigahara/Sandankyo junction (open only on days the Sarutobi ferry boat operates) and from Sandan Falls to the Shimo-Mochinoki entrance are closed. Main entrance to Kurobuchi (2.7 km, 50 min one way), Mizunashi entrance to Sandan Falls (1.5 km, 30 min one way) and Mizunashi entrance to Sarutobi/Nidan Falls (1.5 km, 30 min one way) are open
- ✓From October 1 to December 18, 2026, the Akiota Town Autumn Leaves Bus Set Ticket (¥2,000) gives unlimited rides on the Sandankyo Line for one day
- ✓You can get a map of the gorge at Roadside Station Raimu Togouchi. Also check the ferry boat operating status before you set out
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Sandankyo (Hiroden Bus Sandankyo Line)About 50 min walk from the main entrance to Kurobuchi
- From major stations & airports
- Hiroshima Bus Center: Hiroden Bus Sandankyo Line (platform 7, via expressway, ¥1,570) (About 70 min)
- By car & parking
- Main entrance ¥500/day (500 spaces), Mizunashi entrance ¥500/day (200 spaces)
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On weekends at the peak, the main entrance parking lot and the ferry boats get crowded
- Quieter times
- Weekday mornings
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- November normals for Hiroshima: high 17.7°C, low 8.9°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). The gorge is in the mountains and colder than Hiroshima City
- What to wear & bring
- Bring an extra layer. You will walk on rocks and wet paths, so wear comfortable, non-slip shoes
Facilities
Facilities
- Toilets
- At the main entrance, Kurobuchi, the Mizunashi entrance and Yoshigahara
Events
Events & festivals in Hiroshima & Miyajima
May
July–AugustKangensai Festival at Itsukushima Shrine
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima
Every year on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month (between July and early August on the modern calendar, depending on the year)
Attractions
Attractions in Hiroshima & Miyajima
AquariumMiyajima Public Aquarium (Miyaji-Marine)
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima
An aquarium themed on the Seto Inland Sea, on Miyajima, home of the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine. It reopened after renovation in 2011 and displays more than 15,000 creatures of 380 species, centered on Seto Inland Sea life. It will be closed from December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 for equipment upgrades and repair work, so visit by November 30.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Chugoku & Shikoku
Mountain & highland🍁 Typical peak
Gorge🍁 Typical peak
Gorge
Gorge
GardenYuushien Garden
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Izumo & Matsue
🍁 Typical peak: Early Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
ParkKintaikyo Bridge Area (Momijidani Park)
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Iwakuni, Yamaguchi
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov
ParkMomijidani Park (Miyajima)
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov
GardenOkayama Korakuen Garden
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Okayama & Kurashiki
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
GardenRitsurin Garden
Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
Peak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-05
