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Autumn Leaves · Tohoku

Entsuin Temple

Matsushima, MiyagiTemple🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Mid Nov✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

A temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen in Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Views, home to the Sankeiden mausoleum of Date Mitsumune. In autumn the leaves in the grounds change color, and the temple is also known for its evening illumination.

Address
67 Matsushima Chonai, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi 981-0213
Closed
Open every day
Time needed
About 1 hour
Official website
https://www.entuuin.or.jp/
Peak Time

When to See the Leaves

Typical peakUsually late October to mid-November
September
October
November
December

As a guide, the rock garden peaks from late October to mid-November and the Shinji Pond from early to mid-November

🍁 These spots are in their typical peak period. Actual colors shift with each year’s temperatures, so check the official foliage updates too.

This year’s special openings & events

The 2026 autumn leaves illumination runs 10/24 (Sat)–11/23 (Mon, holiday)

Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.

Highlights

Highlights

The main highlights are the maples coloring the dry landscape rock garden and the autumn leaves reflected upside down in the Shinji Pond. The area around Sankeiden, the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, also turns color.

📷 Best views
Shinji Pond

Famous for autumn leaves reflected upside down on the water. Magical during the illumination

Rock garden

A dry landscape garden paired with maples. Colors early

Sankeiden

The mausoleum of Date Mitsumune. The surrounding trees color from early November

Illumination

Illumination & night viewing

Period
October 24 (Sat)–November 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
Hours
17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:45)
Admission
Junior high school students and up ¥1,500, elementary school students and younger free

The highlight is the autumn leaves reflected in the Shinji Pond

Hours

Opening hours

Visiting hours (April–November)9:00–16:00

Aim to enter at least 30 min before closing

Autumn leaves illumination (10/24–11/23, 2026)17:30–21:00

Last entry 20:45

Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission

AdmissionAdults ¥500, elementary and junior high school students ¥300
Autumn leaves illuminationJunior high school students and up ¥1,500, elementary school students and younger free

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓See the garden by day and come back for the evening illumination to enjoy a different look
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Matsushima-Kaigan Station (JR Senseki Line)About 5 min walk
  • Matsushima Station (JR Tohoku Main Line)About 20 min walk
From major stations & airports
  • Sendai Station: JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station
By car & parking
No parking at the temple. Use public transportation
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best times

Busiest
There are often waits to enter on weekend evenings during the illumination
Quieter times
Weekday mornings, right after opening
Weather

Temperature & what to wear

Typical temperatures
November normals for Sendai: high 14.1°C, low 5.6°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring
It gets cold during the evening illumination, so bring warm clothes such as a coat and gloves
☁ Tohoku weather by month
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Rules

Photography & visitor rules

  • !Monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, drones and other equipment are not allowed
  • !Commercial photography is prohibited
  • !No pets except guide dogs and service dogs
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Entsuin TemplePR

PRSee more places to stay near Entsuin Temple on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Sendai & Matsushima

August

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

Every year August 6–8 (Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival as the eve event on August 5)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Sendai & Matsushima

Aquarium

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

An aquarium near Sendai Port. Across two floors, it shows sea life from Tohoku, Japan, and the world's oceans, starting with the large Sanriku-themed tank Inochi Kirameku Umi. It's about 18 minutes from Sendai Station to Nakanosakae Station on the JR Senseki Line, so it's easy to fit in between sightseeing in the city.

Zoo

Yagiyama Zoological Park Fujisaki no Mori

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

A zoo run by Sendai City on Yagiyama hill. It's close to Yagiyama Zoological Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, about 12 minutes from Sendai Station. General admission is an affordable ¥480, making it a good half-day trip from central Sendai.

See all attractions →
Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves in Tohoku

Mountain & highland

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Tohoku ・ Hachimantai, Iwate

🍁 Typical peak: Late Sep – Early Oct

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🍁 Typical peak: Early Oct – Early Nov

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Tohoku ・ Lake Towada & Oirase

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct

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Geibikei Gorge

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🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Early Nov

Temple🍁 Typical peak

Chusonji Temple

Tohoku ・ Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

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Gorge🍁 Typical peak

Naruko Gorge

Tohoku ・ Naruko, Miyagi

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

Temple🍁 Typical peak

Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple)

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

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See all autumn leaves spots →

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

PRKlookOirase Stream & Lake Towada toursWalk the gorge in fresh green or autumn colorsView