When is the Yujaku Park autumn leaves festival in 2026?

It runs from Tuesday, November 3 to Monday, November 23, 2026, at Yujaku Park in Bungo-Ono.

Is Yujaku Park lit up every night during the festival?

No. Illumination runs only on November 7, 13, 20, 21 and 22, from sunset until 9:00 p.m.

What time does the Yujaku Night Kagura start?

Despite the name, it starts at 3:45 p.m. on November 14. If it rains, the performance moves to the following day.

How do I get to Yujaku Park by train?

Ride the JR Hohi Main Line to Asaji Station, then take a taxi for about five minutes. Taxi fares aren't listed.

Is there parking at Yujaku Park?

Yes, 50 spaces are listed. Fees and reservation rules aren't stated, so check before assuming it's free.

Yujaku Park Autumn Festival: Light-Up Dates and Kagura

Add to my calendarSave to Google, Apple or Outlook Calendar

Google Calendar Apple / Outlook (download .ics)

See Nov 3 on the calendarFind what else is on that day

Key takeawaysThe Yujaku Autumn Leaves Festival runs from November 3 to 23, 2026, at Yujaku Park in Bungo-Ono, where about 500 maple and other trees surround two ponds. Evening illumination is held only on November 7, 13, 20, 21 and 22, from sunset to 9:00 p.m. November 14 is not an illumination date. Instead, the Yujaku Night Kagura begins at 3:45 p.m.

Updated: October 31, 2026 · All times are Japan Standard Time.

The Yujaku Autumn Leaves Festival (用作観光もみじ祭り) runs from November 3 to 23, 2026, at Yujaku Park (用作公園) in Bungo-Ono. For visitors planning around the evening scenery, the key detail is the schedule: illumination takes place on five selected dates, not every night.

November 14 has a different programme, with morning entertainment followed by a kagura performance that begins in the afternoon. Choose your date according to what you want to see, and check the official announcement before travelling.

Yujaku Autumn Leaves Festival poster featuring autumn foliage around a pond, kagura and evening illumination — Image: Official website (bungo-ohno.jp).

Check the official festival announcement

Festival dates and essential details

The festival period covers November 3–23, but individual activities have their own dates and hours. The official announcement confirms this overall festival period.

Festival	Yujaku Autumn Leaves Festival
Dates	Tuesday, November 3–Monday, November 23, 2026
Venue	Yujaku Park
Address	豊後大野市朝地町上尾塚 Bungo-Ono City; Japanese address shown for use in map searches.
Public transport	Approximately five minutes by taxi from Asaji Station on the JR Hohi Main Line
Parking	50 spaces
Admission and reservations	Not stated in the announcement. Check with the official source before visiting.

Illumination and performance schedule

If illuminated foliage is your priority, pick one of the evenings below. For kagura, plan around November 14 instead: that date is not included in the listed illumination schedule.

Programme	Date and time	Weather arrangements
Evening illumination	November 7, 13, 20, 21 and 22 Sunset–9:00 p.m.	Check the official announcement for weather-related changes.
Dance, karaoke and other entertainment	November 14 10:00 a.m.–noon	Cancelled if it rains.
Yujaku Night Kagura: Mizukagami (用作夜神楽「水鏡」)	November 14 Starts at 3:45 p.m.	Postponed to the following day if it rains.

Check the start time: Although the programme is called Night Kagura, the announced start is 3:45 p.m. The morning entertainment and kagura also have different rain arrangements.

What to see around the ponds

The park’s autumn scenery centres on two ponds, Shinji Pond (心字池) and Tanji Pond (丹字池). Around them grow approximately 500 maple and other trees, making the waterside setting the main reason to visit during the festival.

There is history behind the landscape, too. The grounds were once a villa estate belonging to a senior retainer of the Oka domain. The Nakagawa lords and visiting writers and artists came here, and the estate was used to host guests of the domain.

The festival dates should not be treated as a guarantee of peak leaf colour. Check current foliage information before choosing a day, especially if the autumn scenery is the main purpose of your trip.

Getting there and planning ahead

The listed public-transport approach is Asaji Station (朝地駅) on the JR Hohi Main Line (JR豊肥本線), followed by a taxi ride of about five minutes. The announcement does not give taxi fares or say how easy it is to find a taxi. If you are attending an evening programme, confirm your return transport before heading to the park.

Drivers have a listed parking capacity of 50 spaces. Parking charges and reservation arrangements are not specified, so check these rather than assuming parking is free or guaranteed.

If the festival forms part of a longer Kyushu trip, our guide to JAL’s Kyushu flight-and-hotel offer is a related planning resource; check its booking and travel conditions separately. For phone charging while travelling, see our d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT guide. This does not confirm rental availability at the park.

Before setting off, review the official festival notice for programme changes, admission information and any reservation requirements.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Yujaku Autumn Leaves Festival?: The festival runs from November 3 to 23, 2026, at Yujaku Park in Bungo-Ono.
Is the park illuminated every evening?: No. The listed illumination dates are November 7, 13, 20, 21 and 22, from sunset until 9:00 p.m.
What happens if it rains on November 14?: The morning dance and karaoke programme is cancelled if it rains. The kagura performance is postponed to the following day.
Is admission free?: Admission fees and reservation requirements are not specified in the supplied information. Check the official announcement before visiting.

Plan your next day out

See what else is on that day, that month and in the same area on our event calendar.

See November 3 on the calendar November 2026 events Other Areas event calendar