Oyada Shrine Maple Valley: Best Time to Visit

Last weekend, Hiromi, my mother-in-law, Chappie, and I embarked on our hike up Mount Tenno in Mino. The trail begins at Oyada Shrine, locally known as 大矢田神社もみじ谷 (Oyada Jinjya Momiji-dani), or in English, Oyada Shrine Maple Valley.

I had hoped to catch a glimpse of the autumn foliage, but unfortunately, the vibrant reds and yellows of the maple trees were still absent. My mother-in-law mentioned that as soon as the fall colors emerge at Oyada Shrine Maple Valley, visitors flock there in droves, resulting in traffic jams that can block access to the shrine. Clearly, everyone wants to bask in the stunning beauty of the maple leaves in their full glory during the fall season, myself included.

With my mother-in-law’s wealth of hiking experience in Gifu Prefecture, I often find myself seeking her advice on where to hike and the best times to visit. It’s impressive that she has been hiking throughout her life and continues to do so in her 70s!

While our hike from Oyada Shrine to the summit of Mount Tenno was enjoyable, I still long to witness the breathtaking sight of Oyada Shrine Maple Valley adorned with glorious red and yellow maple leaves. Given that it’s only a 30-minute drive from our doorstep, it’s definitely achievable—unless, of course, the traffic jam is as severe as my mother-in-law warned, which could hinder our journey completely. Fingers crossed we’ll make it there again in November!