Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple: Scenic Autumn Leaves and Local Cafe Experience

The autumn foliage at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple is typically at its best from mid to late November. It can be reached by a 50-minute bus ride from Nankai Kishiwada Station, making it a popular day-trip spot for enjoying autumn leaves.
In the quiet temple grounds, where the sound of waterfalls echoes, the vibrant colors of maple and ginkgo trees create a magical scenery blending nature and history.
In this article, we will provide a detailed introduction to the autumn leaves, scenery, and access information at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple as of the morning of Saturday, November 29, 2025, with photos.

Getting off the Bus and Heading to Daitokuji Temple

I took the Nankai Bus from Kishiwada Station to Ushitakisan.
Let’s start walking toward Daitokuji Temple!

Ushitakisan Walking Route

This time, I planned a walking route starting from the entrance gate of Daitokuji Temple, enjoying the autumn leaves near the Tahōtō Pagoda, then visiting the Ichinotaki, Ninotaki, Sannotaki, and Kinryū waterfalls. I returned along the same path without going to the summit and walked back to the bus stop!

Carpet of Autumn Leaves

On the way to Daitokuji Temple, a stunning carpet of autumn leaves had formed!
The leaves on the branches are beautiful, but the red carpet on the ground offers a different kind of beauty.
It felt soft and pleasant to walk on.

Entrance Gate of Daitokuji Temple

The gate of Daitokuji Temple is visible at the far end of the photo.
As you can see, it is covered with green, yellow, and red foliage, creating a mystical atmosphere.

This is the entrance gate of Daitokuji Temple.
The solemn-colored gate contrasts beautifully with the vibrant autumn leaves behind it.
The gate is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Picture-Perfect Autumn Leaves at Daitokuji Temple

As soon as I passed through the entrance gate, I felt so glad to be here.

The vibrant foliage covering the sky, the carpet of leaves on the ground, and the Jizo statues watching over visitors…
The composition is perfect, like a painting!

Exquisitely Crafted Ox Statue

As the name suggests, Ushitakisan honors oxen, and there was an exquisitely crafted ox statue.
It was so realistic that I almost thought it was real at first glance (lol).

Autumn Leaves at the Tahōtō Pagoda of Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple

The Tahōtō Pagoda is iconic for Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple.
Let’s first see it from the back, which is the first view upon entering from the gate.

Back of the Tahōtō Pagoda

As you can see, the back of the pagoda is illuminated by the sun, making the yellow leaves shine like gold.
The pagoda covered in golden leaves looks stunning!

This is the classic angle, looking up at the Tahōtō Pagoda from below.
The golden leaves covering the roof are beautiful!

Front of the Tahōtō Pagoda

Now let’s move around to the front of the Tahōtō Pagoda!

The front has a completely different atmosphere than the back.
The red maples draping over the pagoda create a vivid scene.
I took another low-angle shot with the pagoda and red maples from this side!

The combination of bright red maples and the pagoda truly represents the beauty of Japanese scenery.
It was a bit disappointing that some branches had already lost leaves, but it was still very beautiful.

Looking up at the sky, the leaves formed a vivid canopy.
The contrast between red and yellow is breathtaking.

From Ichinotaki to Kinryū Waterfall

After enjoying the autumn leaves, it’s time for the waterfall tour.
The first waterfall, Ichinotaki, is just a few minutes’ walk from the Tahōtō Pagoda.

Ichinotaki Waterfall

This is Ichinotaki Waterfall!
With an 8-meter vertical drop, it is powerful and visually impressive.

Ninotaki and Sannotaki Waterfalls

A bit further up from Ichinotaki are Ninotaki and Sannotaki, but as you can see, trees blocked most of the view 😅
Let’s head to Kinryū Waterfall instead!

Kinryū Waterfall

This is Kinryū Waterfall.
It also has an 8-meter drop like Ichinotaki, but its tiered cascade offers a different charm.
The waterfall basin is emerald green, sparkling like a gem!

Caution on the Mountain Trail

While Ichinotaki is just a few minutes’ walk from the Tahōtō Pagoda, reaching Kinryū Waterfall requires climbing a mountain trail.

As you can see, the trail is steep, and the irregular stone steps make it unsuitable for children or the elderly.
It takes about 10 minutes from Ichinotaki to reach Kinryū Waterfall.

Restroom Information

Along the route I walked from the bus stop to Kinryū Waterfall, there was only one restroom.
It is located on the path to Daitokuji Temple from Ushitakisan Bus Stop, so I recommend using it before visiting the temple.

Ushitakisan Local House Cafe

Just a short walk from Ushitakisan Bus Stop, I saw the signboard for “Oyasumidokoro Kicchan”.
Climb the slope on the right side of the sign to reach the cafe.

This is “Oyasumidokoro Kicchan”.
It looks like a typical house, so it might take some courage for a shy solo visitor like me to go inside (lol).
They offer curry for takeout on the wooden deck, so if you feel hesitant to enter, you can use that option.
The cafe is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and it is closed on Thursdays.

Time Required

The walking tour of Ushitakisan took less than an hour. I arrived at Ushitakisan Bus Stop at 9:07 AM and reached Kinryū Waterfall at 9:42 AM. This means you can enjoy both the autumn leaves at Daitokuji Temple and the waterfall tour in under an hour round-trip.
I took the 9:23 AM bus from Kishiwada Station on the way there and returned on the 11:30 AM bus. The timing worked out perfectly.

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For those wondering “When is the best time to see autumn leaves at Ushitakisan?” or “How far can I go by bus?”, here is a detailed guide on the best season for autumn leaves at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple and access information.

Best Season for Autumn Leaves at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple

The best season for autumn leaves at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple is typically from mid to late November.
The visit on November 29, 2025, seemed to coincide with the peak of the foliage for the whole mountain.
However, some of the maple branches next to the Tahōtō Pagoda had already lost a few leaves.
For those wishing to photograph the pagoda with beautiful foliage, it is recommended to visit just before or after the “Ushitakisan Momiji Festival”, which occurs around the peak season.
The festival features sales of local products from the Senshu region and the issuing of temple stamps. In 2025, it was held on November 23.
Visiting in the morning is recommended so that the Tahōtō Pagoda is illuminated by the sun.

Access (Parking Information)

Address: 1178-1 Osawa-cho, Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture

Google Map:

By Bus

From Nankai Main Line Kishiwada Station → take the Nankai Wing Bus (Nanbu Ushitaki Line) bound for Ushitakisan, get off at the final stop “Ushitakisan”, then walk about 3 minutes. (One-way fare: 700 yen)

• From JR Hanwa Line Kumeda Station, you can also take the same Nankai Wing Bus bound for Ushitakisan, get off at “Ushitakisan”, and walk about 3 minutes. (One-way fare: 610 yen)
• The bus ride from Kishiwada Station takes about 50 minutes.
• ※Buses are infrequent, so check the schedule in advance.

By Car

About 20 minutes from Hanshin Expressway Kishiwada-Izumi IC via Route 40.
Daitokuji Temple does not have its own parking lot, so you need to use nearby paid parking lots (e.g., the parking area of “Ushitaki Onsen Shiki Matsuri”).

Summary

The autumn leaves at Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple are attractive due to their easy access and peaceful atmosphere. You can take a day trip from Osaka City, and during the peak foliage season, many visitors come.
Viewing the leaves while surrounded by the sound of waterfalls in the mountains and the historic temple buildings is a unique experience.
Although the peak season can be crowded, visiting in the morning or on weekdays allows for a more relaxed stroll.
During my visit on a Saturday morning, it was not too crowded.
Be sure to spend an autumn day experiencing the .