In this article, I’ll introduce autumn colors at Oyama-dera Temple.
Oyama-dera temple is located at,Mt.Oyama,Isehara City,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan
Isehara City is about 1 hour from Shinjuku by Odakyu Line.
Suburbs of Tokyo.
Actually, Isehara city is my birth place.
So I want to inform about Mt.Oyama for many people.
Mt.Oyama is 1252m high. It has been worshiped from ancient era.
It’s proud of citizen of Isehara city.
Here is Isehara station.
In autumn season, many people visit Mt.Oyama.
Only this period,long line appears to get in bus.
There are not enough space for parking, visitors have to use public transportation. I had to wait about 50 minutes only to get in bus!
During November 14th to December 6th on Fridays,Saturdays,Sundays and Holidays, special light up is held at Mt.Oyama.
So these days are particularly crowded. This day was Saturday.
This is Kururin. Kururin is Yuru-chara of Isehara City.
Recently, Yuru-chara is popular in Japan. Most of municipalities have their own Yuru-chara.
Yuru-chara is effective for PR of municipalities. Kururin is trying hard to PR Isehara city!
He participated in Yuru-chara Grand prix in 2015,and got 32nd place out of 1727 entries.
Next year,please vote Kuruin! It is possible to vote everyday repeatedly.
Yuru-chara Grand prix(Japanese)
Here is tourist information and souvenir shop located in Isehara station.
It closes early.Please be careful. Or visitor can not buy souvenir around Isehara station.
Open hour is 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
After get off bus,here is entrance of Koma-sando Approach. ”Koma” means spinning top in Japanese.
Mt.Oyama is famous for spinning top Oyama-koma.
This street leads to cable car station.
Many shops are along street. Variety of food and souvenir. It is exciting only to watch!
There are about 400 steps. Let’s walk slowly. Free rest place is located middle place of street.
This is design on the ground. Number of Koma means steps. Large one means 10,small one means 1. Here is 18. It may fun to count number of steps.
This is Oyama-koma shop. Various size and design.
Now only 2 shops are dealing with Oyama-koma. Craftman is getting fewer. I want to continue traditional craft. Oyama-koma is design motif of Isehara city’s Yuru-chara Kururin.
This is Konjac. There are plenty of natural water at Oyama. So here suits for Konjac production. Konjac is healthy food.
Here can try free tasting.
Japanese traditional style hotel “Ryokan” is seen along street.
The most famous food at Oyama is Tofu(Soybean curd). Reason is also clear water.
Tofu meal is a little expensive. But this restaurant “Kankirou” is cheaper than other restaurants.
Here is located top of approach.
This is Kaede meal. 1575 yen tax include. I could enjoy real taste of foodstuffs. You’ll feel difference of Tofu sold in supermarket.
Tofu is healthy and tasty. I recommend this restaurant.
A little more to rope way station. Visitors can climb on foot too. Here is branch. I used cable car. Because rope way was renovated October 2015. Cable car station is right,climb route is straight. Mt.Oyama is full of nature,climbing is also fun!
Please buy ticket. IC card(for example Suica and Pasmo) is available.
Fee *() is seasonal special fee. Autumn color season is special fee.
Oyama Cable to Oyama-dera
One way : Adult 350yen Child 180yen
Round trip : Adult 600yen(680yen) Child 300yen(340yen)
Oyama Cable to Afuri-jiinja shrine
One way : Adult 630yen Child 320yen
Round trip : Adult 1100yen(1240yen) Child 550yen(620yen)
Time schedule
Train starts every 20 minutes.
*() is seasonal special schedule. Autumn color season is special extended schedule.
Week days 9:00AM to 16:30PM(19:00PM)
Saturday,Sunday,Holiday 9:00AM – 17:00PM(20:00PM)
I had to wait so long time here too…
This is Oyama cable car train. Everyone take photos!
View from cable car. Beautiful scenery. But A little reflection.
Shonan area (sea side of Kanagawa prefecture) is seen.
I got off at Oyama-dera station. Middle place of cable car.
New cable car is modern design.
Station is so steep.
Up train and down train is moving in conjunction. So platform changes as train’s moving. Please be subject to direction of station staff. There are pedestrian bridge over station.
Train from top.
Train from foot. please don’t lean out to take photos. Because train comes from your back.
View from pedestrian bridge.
Center left is Enoshima island. If you go Afuri-jinja shrine or top of Mt.Oyama,you can enjoy more panoramic view.
Beautiful street to Oyama-dera-temple.
There were full of autumn colors at Oyama-dera temple!
This step is famous. I wanted to see here.
Statues in row.
There were so many people. This season was bad weather. That’s why so many people rushed this day to see light up. This day was a little after peak of autumn colors. Peak period changes every year.
In front of main temple. There were also many people.
View from top of steps. It’s like tunnel of autumn colors.
Pagoda with autumn colors.
Autumn colors and city.
From side. Steps are steep. Watch your steps!
Close up of leaves.
Getting dark, gradually light up became more stronger. Many people take photos. I can understand their feeling.
Here is beautiful!
City began shining. It made beautiful contrast.
This is my first time to see night general view of my birth place Isehara city.
I was so impressed!
Pine tree disturb angle. It’s a little disappointing.
More getting dark more shining.
With bokeh.
The moon was shining over autumn colors.
From below. Steps are covered with autumn colors.
Sitting buddha in autumn colors. Spiritual scenery.
From opposite side.
Statue with bokeh.
Of course here is recommended for lovers.
Lantern lights are real fire. Please do not touch!
Close up at night. These photos are soft focus and not good quality. But I like these atmosphere.
Final cable car toward foot is 8:00PM this day. After dark, to walk climb route without gears is really dangerous.
Please do not miss final cable car.
This time, I could not go Afuri-jinja shrine and top of Mt.Oyama.
It took too long time to get to Oyama-dera temple.
Next time I’ll introduce them.
View from Afuri-jinja shrine got double stars in “Michelin Green Guide Japon” published in June 15th 2015.
Oyama has many fascination! Ordinary days are not crowed. Autumn colors season is special.
I think May is also good. Fresh green will welcome you!
Information
Nearest Station : Oyama-dera temple station
30 minutes from Isehara Station by bus to Oyama cable bus stop(terminus).
20 minutes walk via Koma-Sando approach to Oyama cable station.
3 minutes from Oyama cable station to Oyama-dera temple station.