This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Fukuoka's autumn colour does not peak everywhere at once. Higher mountain temples can begin from late October, while central Fukuoka, Dazaifu and urban Kitakyushu often continue from mid-November into early December.
This guide compares 12 locations using prices and operating conditions checked on August 10, 2026. The dates are seasonal estimates, not a 2026 colour forecast; check current foliage, opening hours and transport shortly before visiting.
Key information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Locations | 12 across Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Earliest areas | Nomiyama Kannonji and Hikosan: late October onward |
| Latest areas | City gardens and shrines: often late November to early December |
| Easy without a car | Maizuru Park, Momiji Hachimangu, Kanzeonji and Kokura |
| Peak-weekend traffic | Sennyoji, Akizuki, Kamado Shrine and Nomiyama |
| 2026 dated event | Shiranoe Autumn Plant Market, November 28–29 |
Fukuoka City, Itoshima and Asakura
Maizuru Park combines free walks among Fukuoka Castle stone walls with easy access from Akasaka or Ohori-koen Station. Yusentei Park is a quiet pond garden, open 9:00–17:00 with last entry 16:30; adults ¥200 and children ¥100, closed Monday or the following day when Monday is a holiday. Momiji Hachimangu is free and about seven minutes from Fujisaki Station, usually best in late November. In Itoshima, Raizan Sennyoji's giant maple is commonly strongest in early to mid-November; the temple interior and garden cost ¥500 for high-school age and older, and November mountain entry adds ¥200. Akizuki Castle ruins and Kuromon Gate are free and typically later, from late November. Nomiyama Kannonji, open 6:00–17:00 with about 300 free parking spaces, is one of the earlier mountain options.
Dazaifu, Hikosan, Kitakyushu and Nakagawa
Kamado Shrine is free and reached by the Mahoroba bus from Dazaifu Station; its late-November colour can be combined with Dazaifu sightseeing, but the 2026 illumination is not yet announced. Kanzeonji grounds are free, while its treasure hall is ¥600 adults, ¥400 high-school and university students and ¥150 elementary or junior-high students. Hikosan Jingu offers mountain colour from late October; the slope car costs ¥700 adult return and ¥500 child return, but the upper shrine requires a real hike. Shiranoe Botanical Park costs ¥300 adults and ¥150 children, with ¥300 parking. Katsuyama Park is free and Kokura Castle Garden costs ¥500 for a non-resident adult after its 2026 revision. Chikushi Yabakei is a free valley landscape without a purpose-built visitor car park.
Choose by transport and atmosphere
For a rail- or bus-based day, choose Maizuru Park, Momiji Hachimangu, Kanzeonji or Kokura Castle Garden. For a formal garden, compare Yusentei, Shiranoe and Kokura. For mountain temples, Sennyoji, Nomiyama and Hikosan have earlier colour but need more transport planning. Akizuki suits a half-day historic-town walk. A Dazaifu pairing can put Kanzeonji's treasure hall in the morning and Kamado Shrine in the afternoon, after checking the last bus.
- Public transport: city parks, Kanzeonji and Kokura
- Mountain foliage: start earlier in the season
- Historic streets: allow half a day in Akizuki
- Valley scenery: do not park on the road at Chikushi Yabakei
2026 events, weather and crowd advice
As of August 10, the dated autumn program confirmed here is Shiranoe Botanical Park's plant market on November 28 and 29. Do not assume that previous illuminations at Momiji Hachimangu, Kamado Shrine, Nomiyama or Maizuru Park will repeat until a 2026 announcement is issued. Peak weekends can cause long parking queues at Sennyoji, Akizuki, Kamado and Nomiyama. Bring walking shoes and a warm layer, arrive before final entry at gardens and temples, and never stop on a road to take photographs.
