Zuihoji Park is a municipal park in the Arima Onsen hot spring district of Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 500 meters, near the highest part of the hot spring town, the park is widely celebrated for its spectacular autumn foliage. Visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery throughout the changing seasons, with fall being an especially popular time to explore its historic grounds.
The park occupies the former grounds of Zuihoji Temple, a Buddhist temple belonging to the Ōbaku school that was abandoned in the early Meiji period (1868–1912). In 1951, Kobe City developed the site into the park seen today.
The grounds also have a strong historical connection with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the powerful military leader who helped unify Japan in the late 16th century. Hideyoshi frequently visited Arima Onsen, and the area’s natural beauty became one of his favorite attractions.
According to local tradition, Hideyoshi was particularly fond of the autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple, praising their beauty as something he could never tire of watching. This story gave rise to poetic names associated with the park’s autumn scenery, including Higurashi no Niwa, meaning a garden so captivating that one could spend the entire day there, and Kinshū-dani, or Valley of Brocade, referring to the colorful foliage that resembles richly woven silk.
A stone Go board, said to have been used by Hideyoshi to play the traditional Japanese strategy game of Go, is also preserved within the park.
One of the park’s historic landmarks is the former main gate of Zuihoji Temple. The gate was relocated here from Fushimi-Momoyama Castle in Kyoto in 1868. Kobe City carried out preservation and restoration work in 1976, and the gate remains an important symbol of the site’s history.
A thirteen-tiered stone pagoda stands within the park, dating from the late Edo period (1603–1868). It was erected by Kashō Bunshū, the 25th head priest of the Ōbaku Buddhist school. The pagoda is a reminder of the religious heritage of the former temple grounds.
Momiji Chaya, whose name evokes the Japanese maple leaves that color the park in autumn, is a particularly appealing spot during the fall foliage season. Taking a quiet break with a cup of tea while admiring the brilliant red, orange, and golden leaves is a wonderful way to appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of the park.
The park contains a monument inscribed with a poem by Daini no Sanmi, a female poet of the Heian period (794–1185). The poem is included in the Hyakunin Isshu, a celebrated collection of 100 classical Japanese poems.
The poem reads: “When the wind blows across the bamboo grasslands of Ina near Mount Arima, surely then, surely, how could I ever forget you?” Its imagery and emotional meaning connect visitors with the literary traditions of Japan’s distant past.
Odaiko Falls is a small waterfall within the park. The gentle sound of flowing water and the surrounding greenery create a relaxing atmosphere, offering a peaceful contrast to the busy streets of Arima Onsen.
Zuihoji Park is one of the venues for the Arima Grand Tea Gathering, held annually on November 2 and 3. This traditional event celebrates Japanese tea culture and attracts tea enthusiasts and other visitors who wish to experience the refined atmosphere of a tea ceremony amid the historic surroundings of Arima Onsen.
The park is approximately a 15-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line. It lies about one kilometer southeast of the station, and the walk offers an opportunity to explore the slopes and streets of the hot spring town along the way.
Zuihoji Park brings together the natural beauty of autumn foliage, historic Buddhist monuments, stories associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and traditional Japanese culture. Its seasonal scenery and tranquil atmosphere make it a rewarding destination for anyone visiting Arima Onsen, especially during the autumn colors of November.