Kogenji — Attraction in Tamba

I visited on November 17, 2024. The temple grounds were stunning, even though the high temperatures this year caused many leaves to drop early/have colors more dull than usual. I can only imagine how magical it must look during a “normal” year. This is one of the best temples I’ve ever visited for fall leaves. I really enjoyed the grounds, and it felt like there was something beautiful to look at in every direction.

The entrance fee is 300 yen, and you pay at the little stand at the entrance. The ticket itself has a beautiful photo on it, and a dated stamp on the back, which is nice. There were some food and goods vendors around the entrance as well. The goshuin office is up past many sets of stairs, towards the left side of the building. Even though it was fall leaves season, they wrote directly in my book, unlike many other temples. The fee was 500 yen.

This temple involves a LOT of stairs, but there is a less steep path you can take to the right of the gate. Both paths still involve stairs, though.

The parking seemed to be different lots they had available for the fall season specifically, like grass plots behind nearby houses. Follow the instructions from parking attendants and you should be fine. It was very crowded when I visited, around peak season, so I’d recommend going earlier in the day...

20/11/15 拝観。 臨済宗妙心寺派 高源寺（こうげんじ）。関西花の寺二十五霊場...

Visited 8th November but it was a tad early for the full autumn colours, but nonetheless it was beautiful. The entrance fee is 300 yen and there's parking on site.

The route is uneven and rocky so would recommend...