Unpenji Temple via Local Roads & Ropeway｜Deep Breaths on an Autumn Mountaintop (Kochi→Tokushima/Kagawa border)

November 3, cloudy. We left Kochi at 9:00, drove north on National Route 32 to the Unpenji Ropeway base station. A quick ride up carried us to quiet temple grounds wrapped in autumn foliage. Bells echoed softly through cedar stands and mossy stone steps. Here’s a photo-heavy recap.

Unpenji Temple — wide view of stone steps and autumn colors — Red leaves, green cedars, stone textures. Even under clouds, the colors pop.

Quick Takeaways
Base Area → Ropeway
Foliage & Quiet on the Grounds
A Small Kindness
Couple’s Quick Notes
Map
Trip Log (with times)
Where to Next

Quick Takeaways

Route: Kochi → National Route 32 (Oboke/Koboke gorges) → Awa-Ikeda → Unpenji Ropeway Base Station
Transport: Park at base → ropeway up to the summit (return the same way)
Clothing: Cooler on the mountaintop. Bring a light layer and good walking shoes
Shots to capture: Mossy steps + maple leaves / wide temple façades / ropeway window views

Base Area → Ropeway

Unpenji Ropeway base station — From the base station, the ropeway zips you straight to the top.

Autumn colors near the base — Color at the foothills. The gradient climbs up the slopes.

Signage and foliage around the base — Clear wayfinding and easy parking keep things smooth.

Red maple leaves at Unpenji — Stepping off the ropeway, the reds grow richer.

Foliage & Quiet on the Grounds

Cedar green contrasted with crimson leaves — Crimson floating over deep cedar green.

Mossy stone steps with fallen leaves — Moss and fallen leaves—textures underfoot are part of the scene.

Red tunnel along the path — A tunnel of red along the path. Cloud cover boosts saturation.

Temple buildings and autumn color — Step back for wider shots: buildings framed by autumn tones.

Close-up: stone wall and red leaves — Cold stone beside warm leaves—fleeting balance.

Maples near the main hall — Eye-level reds near the main hall. The air has a crisp edge.

A Small Kindness

Heart-shaped arrangement of leaves by temple staff — Staff-made heart of leaves—one of those details that make a day.

Couple’s Quick Notes

Husband

Taking local roads was the right call—the gorge foliage never let up.

Wife

The ropeway drops you into another world. It’s a few degrees cooler up here.

Husband

Layers of red, moss, and stone—cloudy days give great depth.

Wife

Look—this heart of leaves. Little touches like this stick with you.

Husband

Wide establishing shots and tight details—both are worth it here.

Wife

It’s getting chilly—time to head down. The drive back will be another leaf show.

Map

① Unpenji Ropeway — Base Station

② Unpenji Temple (summit)

Trip Log (with times)

09:00 Depart Kochi (no breaks)
— Follow Route 32 toward Awa-Ikeda; gorge views full of color
11:30 approx. Arrive Unpenji Ropeway base → park & board
12:00 approx. Arrive summit station → stroll & shoot around the grounds
14:00 approx. Ropeway down → depart base

*Times are approximate. Always check the latest operating schedules and on-site notices.