Experience Autumn in a Valley Ablaze with Color: "Ranzan Valley Fall Foliage Festival" in Ranzan Town, Saitama Prefecture Event Dates: November 28 and 29

The Ranzan Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association; Location: Ranzan Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture;Chairman: Hideo Nakajima) will host the “Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Festival” on Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, 2026, at the Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area.

Event Details: https://www.ranzan-kanko.jp/autumnleavesevent

Area around the Ranzan Gorge Observation Deck

■ About Ranzan Gorge

“Ranzan Gorge” is one of Saitama Prefecture’s premier scenic spots, boasting a magnificent landscape and natural environment created by the clear waters of the Tsukikawa River and the surrounding trees.

In Showa 3, when Seiroku Honda—Japan’s first Doctor of Forestry, who was involved in the design of Hibiya Park and other sites—visited this area, he noted its striking resemblance to the beautiful scenery of Ranzan in Kyoto and dubbed it “Ranzan of Musashi Province” (Musashi-no-kuni no Arashiyama); this is the origin of the town’s name.

In addition, part of the area is being preserved by the Saitama Green Trust Association as Site No. 3.

Highlights include the area around the “stepping stones” that cross the Tsuki River over large boulders, the vicinity of the observation deck, and the walking path leading from the observation deck to the monument inscribed with a poem by Akiko Yosano.In addition to the fresh greenery of spring, in the fall, trees such as the Japanese maple (Iroha-momiji), Japanese fan maple (Hauchiwa-kaede), Japanese oak (Konara), and Japanese sessile oak (Kunugi) turn red and yellow, and you can enjoy the vibrant colors of these colorful trees reflected on the water’s surface. The walking trails are well-maintained, and you’ll be soothed by the scenery and birdsong—it’s hard to believe you’re only an hour from the city center.

Autumn foliage reflected on the water near the “Stepping Stones”

■ About the “Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Festival”

The “Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Festival” has designated “Best time to seeing Week” from Saturday, November 14, to Sunday, December 6. With its abundance of trees, visitors can enjoy the scenery for an extended period—from the gradations of green, red, yellow, and orange before the leaves turn to the fiery autumn colors at their peak.

“Event Days” will be held on Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, at the Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area. Titled the “Autumn Foliage Gourmet Market,” the event will feature food trucks and tented food stalls run by members of the Ranzan Town Tourism Association, as well as sales of new-crop rice, agricultural products, and other goods, along with workshops and miscellaneous goods.

Additionally, on Sunday, November 29, under the theme “Discover the Charm of Ranzan Gorge,” Ranzan Town Tourism Volunteer Guides will be stationed around the Ranzan Gorge Observation Deck to provide information on the gorge’s highlights and history as needed, so please feel free to ask them for guidance.

The Tsukigawa River and Autumn Foliage

The Ranzan Town Tourism Association’s official social media accounts will provide real-time updates on the “best time to see” for the current fall foliage.

<Official Social Media>

X　　　　　　　　 : https://x.com/RanzanKanko

Instagram　　　　 : https://www.instagram.com/ranzankanko/

Facebook　　　　　: https://www.facebook.com/ranzankanko

Official LINE Account: https://page.line.me/455ulekf

Threads　　　　　 ： https://www.threads.com/@ranzankanko

Scenes from Event Day in 2025

■ “Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Festival” Event Day Overview

Date and Time: November 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Cancelled in case of severe weather

Details: “Autumn Foliage Gourmet Market” featuring stalls by members of the Ranzan Town Tourism Association

　　　　　 “Discover the Charm of Ranzan Gorge” (November 29 only)

　　　　　 Ranzan Town Volunteer Tour Guides will introduce the highlights and history of the Ranzan Gorge

　　　　　 *Vendor arrangements in progress

Organizer: Ranzan Town Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

Supported by: Ranzan Town

In Cooperation With: Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

Agricultural Products for Sale

Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Festival Flyer

■ Access to “Ranzan Valley” and “Ranzan Valley Barbecue Area”

Ranzan Gorge: Oaza Kamagata, Ranzan Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture

Ranzan Valley Barbecue Area: 2857 Oaza Kamagata, Ranzan Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture

●By Train

From the nearest station, “Musashi-Ranzan Station” on the Tobu Tojo Line

・Approx. 35-minute walk to Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area

Or

・Local bus: Take the Eagle Bus “To-02” route bound for Seseragi Bus Center (approx. 10-minute ride)

　　　　　　Get off at the “Kyuyōchi Iriguchi” bus stop—it’s right there. Fare: 220 yen (one way)

*Note: Route 01 (bound for Seseragi Bus Center) does not stop at the “Kyuyochi Iriguchi” bus stop.

● By Car

On Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, the Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area parking lot will serve as the event venue, so parking will not be available there. Please use the adjacent “Ranzan Gorge Tourist Multipurpose Plaza (Lavender Parking Lot).”

Ranzan Gorge Tourist Multipurpose Plaza (Lavender Parking Lot):

2822-1 Oaza Kamagata, Ranzan-machi, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture

・From Tokyo: Approximately 8 km (about 15 minutes) from the Higashi-Matsuyama IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway

・From the Takasaki direction: Approx. 8 km (about 15 minutes) from the Ranzan-Ogawa IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway

Parking Fee: For visitors walking through the Ranzan Valley: 500 yen (tax included) per standard-sized vehicle

　　　　　(For barbecue use: 1,000 yen, tax included; *includes trash disposal fee)

Advance reservations are required for large buses, minibuses, and similar vehicles to ensure parking space availability.

(Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area, Tel: 0493-62-4152, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)

*During the fall foliage season (excluding November 28 and 29), we direct visitors to the Ranzan Gorge Barbecue Area parking lot (open daily from November through December 6).

Ranzan Valley Barbecue Area: 2857 Oaza Kamagata, Ranzan-machi, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture

・From Tokyo: About 8 km (approx. 15 minutes) from Higashi-Matsuyama IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway

・From the Takasaki direction: Approximately 8 km (about 15 minutes) from the Ranzan-Ogawa IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway

Parking Fee: Same as the “Ranzan Valley Tourist Multipurpose Plaza (Lavender Parking Lot)” mentioned above

●

Detour Route Information

Due to heavy rain from Typhoon No. 25, a part of the trail from 〝Stepping Stones” to the observation deck has collapsed and is impassable.

Please use the detour route until the end of the Migoro Week period.

Ranzan Gorge Autumn Foliage Highlights_Detour Route

[Inquiries from the general public regarding this matter]

Ranzan Town Station Plaza “Ran Navi” Tourist Information Center

Phone: 0493-62-8730 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)