Looking for a peaceful autumn escape? Daiyuzan Saijō-ji is one of Kanagawa’s hidden gems—towering cedar forests, mossy stone paths, and brilliant fall colors that feel almost otherworldly.

During peak foliage season, the temple grounds glow even more beautifully thanks to the **special nighttime light-up**, illuminating the ancient stairs, lanterns, and autumn leaves in warm, magical tones.

Whether you’re wandering through the crisp mountain air, photographing the fiery maple leaves, or simply enjoying the quiet atmosphere, Daiyuzan is the perfect autumn day trip—especially when you stay a little later to enjoy the evening lights.

What’s more, Daiyuzan is a **secretly famous spot for cosplay and character-inspired photoshoots**—its long stone steps, cedar tunnels, and Tengu legends make it a dream setting.
Since this is also a casual **photo-friendly meetup**, **photographers and models are very welcome**. Feel free to treat this as a mutually free practice session—great for building portfolios, shooting autumn portraits, or experimenting with new ideas.

***

###

**Plan for the day**

* **9:00 AM** at Yoyogi-Uehara Station (In front of Gold Gym)
* **OR 11:00 AM** at Daiyuzan Station (for those coming directly)
* **Seasonal soba lunch** – Warm up with a comforting bowl of soba at a local spot near the temple, possibly paired with seasonal mountain vegetables or mushrooms.
* **Explore Daiyuzan Saijo-ji Temple**
* This hidden gem becomes even more breathtaking in autumn:
* Towering cedar trees and colorful maple leaves 🍂
* Mysterious Tengu legends 🦶
* Over 30 temple buildings and long stone staircases carpeted in fallen leaves
* Quiet forest trails and sacred spots, like stepping into a Ghibli film scene
* Cool, refreshing mountain air perfect for a long, gentle walk
* **Optional side trip** – If time allows, we’ll visit the nostalgic Old Fukuzawa Elementary School (旧福澤小学校校舎), surrounded by seasonal scenery.
* **Optional: Odawara Castle & Dinner** – Afterward, some of us may head to Odawara for a short castle stroll framed by autumn colors, followed by dinner before returning to Tokyo.

**Important notes**

* **Join our [LINE group for live updates](https://line.me/R/ti/g/Y-NeG-U82C), route previews, photo sharing, and more!**
* **If fewer than 10 people sign up by the day before the event, I’ll postpone it to the following week. Thanks for your understanding!**
* This is a **casual meetup** of like-minded people. You’ll receive a friendly welcome, but this is **not a guided tour** or a customer-host relationship.
* You are free to **join or leave anytime**, but please let us know if you’ll be late.
* We generally wait **10 minutes** for late arrivals.
* A **500 yen fee** is collected to help cover the annual [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) subscription cost (over USD $200 per year).
* **[Check out my other upcoming events](https://www.meetup.com/photowalk-and-language-exchange-in-tokyo/events/)** — I usually plan months ahead for perfect seasonal moments like cherry blossoms 🌸, autumn leaves 🍂, and more.

***

Masaharu H

Tokyo Photo Walk & Step Challenge

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🍁 Autumn Foliage Day Trip to Ashigara, Daiyuzan

伊豆箱根鉄道大雄山線　大雄山駅

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🍁 Autumn Foliage Day Trip to Ashigara, Daiyuzan

Tokyo Photo Walk & Step Challenge

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