Driving south from central Okayama along National Route 30, as you approach Tamano City on the Seto Inland Sea, a hillside park surrounded by pine woods and ponds appears beside the road: this is Miyama Park, very familiar to people in Okayama.
Miyama Park covers about 200 hectares and is planted with about 150,000 flowering plants and trees of around 300 species; it is famous for cherry blossom in spring, while in autumn sweetgums, maples, zelkovas and ginkgos change colour one after another.
The most popular autumn-leaf spot in the park is the Miyama English Garden, designed personally by an English garden designer, which in autumn brings autumn leaves, hedges and flowers together in a single frame, quite unlike the autumn leaves of a Japanese garden.
The questions people ask most when planning are: when are the autumn leaves at Miyama Park at their best? Does the English Garden need a ticket, what time does it close and on which day is it shut? And how do you get there from Okayama Station without a car?
This article draws on information published by the official Miyama Park website, the Japan Weather Association’s tenki.jp, the autumn-leaf website Walkerplus and the Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation to explain the viewing season, must-see spots, tickets, transport and itineraries all in one place.
If you are looking for an autumn-leaf spot between central Okayama and the Seto Inland Sea that is easy to stroll around and suits the whole family, you can use the itinerary suggestions below as they are.
Where Is Miyama Park? Getting to Know Tamano City’s Hillside Park
Miyama Park is in Tai 2-chome, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, roughly in the centre of Tamano City, and can be reached along National Route 30, with the Uno Port area on the Seto Inland Sea a short way to the south.
Miyama Park is an urban park that makes use of the natural lie of the hills, covering an area of about 200 hectares, with about 7,000 cherry trees as well as around 150,000 flowering plants and trees of about 300 species, including azaleas, hydrangeas, water lilies and plum trees.
The Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation’s page for Miyama Park mentions that the park lies at an altitude of roughly 50 to 180 metres, with five ponds surrounded by pine woods scattered across the rolling hills.
The park is managed by the Tamano City Park and Greenery Association, a public interest incorporated foundation, and 2026 happens to be the 50th anniversary of Miyama Park’s opening, so the park has held a good number of commemorative events this year.
The Strolling Area and the Recreation Area
Miyama Park is divided into two parts: a strolling area centred on nature trails, and a recreation area with the English Garden, play equipment and a dog run.
If you want to enjoy the autumn leaves in peace, spend your time by the ponds and on the trails; families with children can spend a while at the playground and the mini putting golf course in the recreation area.
The park itself is open 24 hours a day, but the facilities inside each have their own opening hours and closing days, so take particular care when planning.
Michi-no-Eki “Miyama Koen”
Michi-no-Eki “Miyama Koen” (a roadside station) is attached to Miyama Park, with a farm produce stall, a local specialities shop, a bakery and a fresh fish counter.
The produce stall is very popular, with a queue forming outside the door by 8:30 in the morning, and there is also a wide range of flower seedlings and cut flowers.
For travellers driving themselves, the roadside station’s car park, toilets and food make it a good place to rest during the day.
When Are the Autumn Leaves at Miyama Park at Their Best? Timing Your 2026 Visit
Looking first at the usual-year data, the sources differ slightly but agree on the general picture.
The Japan Weather Association’s tenki.jp page for Miyama Park shows the usual peak as late October to early December, and the forecast peak for 2026 is likewise late October to early December.
tenki.jp also has a separate page for the Miyama English Garden, which shows the usual peak as late October to late November.
The Miyama Park page on the autumn-leaf website Walkerplus says that the leaves usually start to turn in mid-October, with the peak from late October to early December.
The Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation’s page gives the autumn-leaf peak as early to mid-November, which is the period where the sources overlap most.
Putting all this together, the viewing season at Miyama Park runs roughly from late October to early December, and the most recommended time is mid-November.
The Japan Weather Association’s Forecast for Western Japan in 2026
In its 2026 autumn-leaf peak forecast, the Japan Weather Association indicates that in western Japan (Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu) the autumn-leaf peak will be around the usual time or later than usual.
The reason is that temperatures in western Japan are expected to be above average up to November, which will slow the colour change slightly.
Miyama Park is not high and is close to the warm Seto Inland Sea, so the 2026 peak is more likely to fall around the usual time or slightly later.
The Japan Weather Association plans to update the forecast on tenki.jp three or four times in total up to November, so it is safest to check the latest conditions again a week before you set off.
Why Is the Viewing Season So Long?
The autumn colour at Miyama Park does not come from just one kind of tree but from many species turning in relay, so the viewing season is longer than at a typical maple spot.
The trees listed by tenki.jp include cherry, momiji maple, kaede maple, konara oak, zelkova and dodan-tsutsuji (white enkianthus), while the English Garden has sweetgum, juneberry, flowering dogwood, burning bush (spindle tree) and Japanese snowball.
Walkerplus also lists ginkgo and tulip tree; these trees turn yellow at a slightly different time from when the maples turn red, so the autumn colour across the park advances slowly, layer by layer.
What Will You See at Different Times?
From late October to early November, trees that usually turn earlier, such as cherry and flowering dogwood, go red first, while most of the maples are still green.
Mid-November is usually the most concentrated period, when the sweetgums, zelkovas, ginkgos and maples change colour together and the English Garden and the pondsides are at their most colourful.
From late November to early December some trees start to drop their leaves, but the maples and dodan-tsutsuji may stay red for a while longer, which suits those who want to avoid the crowds.
Must-See Autumn-Leaf Spots at Miyama Park
Miyama Park is very large, so on a first visit it is best to centre your visit on the English Garden and then add the pondsides and trails as time allows.
Miyama English Garden: The Viewpoint Recommended by Walkerplus
Walkerplus lists the Miyama English Garden as the most recommended autumn-leaf viewpoint in Miyama Park.
The Miyama English Garden was one of the projects commemorating the 60th anniversary of Tamano’s city status, and opened on 6 August 2000.
The garden was designed by the English garden designer Peter Thurman, who lived in Tamano City from November 1995 to January of the following year and completed the design only after experiencing Miyama’s natural surroundings first-hand.
The garden’s style is as romantic as that of Sissinghurst Castle in south-east England, with hedges of Japanese cypress-type trees dividing it into six “garden rooms”, each planted with different flowers according to its theme.
In autumn the deep green of the hedges makes the red and yellow trees stand out particularly clearly, and the garden’s gazebos and paths offer plenty of angles for photos.
The English Garden also has autumn-flowering plants, and the park’s plant guide lists Japanese anemone, dahlia, salvia and pampas grass, so in the autumn-leaf season you can see flowers and leaves at the same time.
Ponds and Pine Woods: Miyama Park’s Original Scenery
Beyond the English Garden, the most atmospheric part of Miyama Park is actually the ponds and pine woods among the hills.
The five ponds are scattered across the rolling terrain, with evergreen pines along their banks, and in autumn, as the cherries, maples and zelkovas beside them change colour, the green and the reds and yellows are reflected together on the water.
The trails in this area are quieter than in the English Garden and suit anyone who wants to stroll slowly and look for angles to photograph reflections on the ponds.
If you have time, after leaving the English Garden you can walk for a while along the ponds and then head back to the roadside station for a rest, which makes for a very pleasant morning.
Akamatsu Pond: Swans and Migratory Birds
Akamatsu Pond is one of Miyama Park’s five ponds, where mute swans are kept all year round; they are very tame and often swim over of their own accord.
Every year from late September to late April, migratory birds such as pintails and wigeons also come to Akamatsu Pond, so in autumn you can see both autumn leaves and waterfowl by the pond.
There are vending machines by the pond selling special feed for the waterfowl and carp; please feed them from the edge of the pond, and do not give them bread.
Park Trails and Cycle Path
The cycle path at Miyama Park is 3.6 kilometres long and open only to pedestrians and bicycles, so cycling a lap of the park lets you see the autumn colour in different areas in a short time.
There are also several mountain trails within the park, but in March 2026 the park announced that some mountain paths (trails) are closed because of wild boar sightings.
If you want to walk the mountain paths on the east side, you must first fill in a “mountain entry notification and pledge form” near the Miyama Centre House or the South Car Park to register your entry; for details, see the park’s notice on trail access.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Miyama Park itself is free to enter and open 24 hours, and you pay only for the English Garden and some of the facilities in the park.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Miyama Park | Free admission, open 24 hours |
| Miyama English Garden opening hours | 9:00 to 16:30 (9:00 to 15:30 from December to February) |
| English Garden admission | Junior high school students and above 200 yen; elementary school students and those aged 65 and over 100 yen; preschool children free |
| English Garden annual pass | Junior high school students and above 1,000 yen; elementary school students 500 yen |
| Closing days (all facilities) | Wednesdays (the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday), 29 December to 3 January |
| Bicycle hire | Electric bicycles 600 yen; junior high school students and above 400 yen; elementary school students and younger 200 yen; 100 yen for each extra hour |
| Car park | Free, about 850 spaces |
| Illuminations | None |
The times and prices in the table above are as of October 2026 and come from the official Miyama Park website; go by the park’s latest notices for the actual situation.
The English Garden, the mini putting golf course, the dog run and bicycle hire all accept electronic payment, including credit cards, QR code payments and transport IC cards.
Wednesday Is the Day to Watch Out For
The regular closing day for Miyama Park’s facilities is Wednesday, or the following day when Wednesday is a public holiday, so if you come on a Wednesday the English Garden will not be open.
You can still stroll in the park itself and along the pond trails on Wednesdays, but if you want to see the autumn leaves in the English Garden, it is best to avoid Wednesdays.
Food and Rest
There are two restaurants in the park: Gonta Chaya in the Miyama Centre House mainly serves Japanese food and is closed on Wednesdays, while Miyama cafe PUUT at the roadside station is open from 8:00 to 16:00 and closed on Tuesdays (open as usual on public holidays).
You are also welcome to bring your own packed lunch and eat on the lawns or benches, but please do not eat or drink inside the English Garden, the mini putting golf course or the dog run, and take your rubbish home with you.
Autumn 2026 Events
Miyama Park has no autumn-leaf festival or illuminations this autumn, but there are several events marking its 50th anniversary, such as “Forest Music Therapy” in the Free Plaza on the morning of Sunday 29 November.
Michi-no-Eki “Miyama Koen” is also planning events such as a sweets market on Monday 23 November (a public holiday); please check the latest official notices for event details and whether they go ahead.
How to Get to Miyama Park: Train, Bus and Car
Miyama Park’s address is 4490 Tai 2-chome, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture; the nearest station is Bizen-Tai Station on the JR Uno Line, and by car you can take National Route 30 from central Okayama or leave the Seto-Chuo Expressway at Mizushima IC.
By Train: About 20 Minutes on Foot from Bizen-Tai Station
Take the JR Uno Line to Bizen-Tai Station, then walk north-west along National Route 30 for about 20 minutes.
The advantage of this route is that there is no change, but the drawback is that you have to walk a stretch along the national highway, which is harder going with older relatives or children.
By Bus: From Okayama Station or Uno Station
There are three bus routes: from stop No. 2 at Okayama Station, a bus bound for “Tamano Shiyakusho-mae” takes about 45 minutes, and from stop No. 1 at Uno Station, a bus bound for Okayama Station takes about 10 minutes; for both of these, get off at “Miyama Koen Iriguchi”.
The third is Tamano City’s community bus “Sea Bus” from in front of Uno Station, which takes about 17 minutes to the “Miyama Koen Michi-no-Eki” stop.
The Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation’s information says that for buses from Okayama Station and Uno Station you simply get off at “Miyama Koen Iriguchi”; services are not very frequent, so please check the times for your return journey before you set off.
By Car: National Route 30 or Mizushima IC
Heading south from central Okayama along National Route 30 takes about 35 minutes by car, while from Mizushima IC on the Seto-Chuo Expressway it takes about 25 minutes.
The park has a free car park with about 850 spaces, including dedicated spaces for large vehicles, and the roadside station car park also has an ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging station.
Private Car: Ideal for Older Relatives and Children or Linking Several Spots
Buses to Miyama Park are infrequent and walking from the station means a stretch along the national highway, so being driven makes things much easier when you are travelling with older relatives or children.
If you want to visit Korakuen in central Okayama on the same day, or head south to the Uno Port area, a private car also makes it easier to fit several spots together.
Suggested Time and Itineraries
If you only want to see the English Garden, allow about 1 hour; if you add Akamatsu Pond, the trails and the roadside station, allow half a day.
| Time | Plan | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Arrive at Miyama Park | Park, then start at the roadside station produce stall |
| 09:30 | Miyama English Garden | Photograph the hedges and autumn leaves in the morning light |
| 10:45 | Akamatsu Pond | Swans, migratory birds and autumn leaves by the pond |
| 11:30 | Cycle around the park on a hire bike | Autumn colour in different areas along the cycle path |
| 12:30 | Lunch | Gonta Chaya or Miyama cafe PUUT |
| 13:30 | On to the next spot | Central Okayama or the Uno Port area |
During winter hours (December to February), the English Garden closes at 15:30, so if you arrive in the afternoon, pay particular attention to the last entry time.
Linking Autumn-Leaf Spots in Central Okayama
Miyama Park is not far from central Okayama, so Miyama Park in the morning and Korakuen back in the city in the afternoon makes a smooth day trip; for Korakuen’s autumn night illuminations and tickets, see our Okayama Korakuen Autumn Leaves Guide.
If you want to see another autumn-leaf spot with a sense of history, Kinsuien in Ashimori, Kita Ward, Okayama City is also a great choice; for details see our Kinsuien Autumn Leaves Guide, Okayama.
Combining with the Seto Inland Sea
Uno Port is a short way south of Miyama Park, and as this area faces the Seto Inland Sea, it is easy to fit a stroll in the park and a seaside outing into the same day.
If you have more days in Okayama, the Former Shizutani School in Bizen City is also one of Okayama’s signature autumn spots; see our Former Shizutani School Autumn Leaves Guide, Okayama.
Miyama Park Autumn Leaves FAQ
Q1: When are the autumn leaves at Miyama Park at their best?
The usual peak is roughly from late October to early December, and mid-November is the most recommended time.
For 2026 the Japan Weather Association forecasts that autumn leaves in western Japan will peak around the usual time or slightly later, so please check the latest peak forecast on tenki.jp again before you set off.
Q2: Do I need a ticket for Miyama Park?
Miyama Park itself is free to enter, and only facilities such as the English Garden charge a fee.
As of October 2026, admission to the English Garden is 200 yen for junior high school students and above and 100 yen for elementary school students and those aged 65 and over, with preschool children free.
Q3: What time does the English Garden close, and on which day is it shut?
The English Garden is open from 9:00 to 16:30, changing to 9:00 to 15:30 from December to February.
It is regularly closed on Wednesdays (the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday) and from 29 December to 3 January, so if you come on a Wednesday you can only stroll in other parts of the park.
Q4: Are there night illuminations?
Miyama Park has no autumn-leaf illuminations, and both tenki.jp and Walkerplus also show no illuminations or autumn-leaf festival.
If you want to see night illuminations, you can save your evening for Korakuen in central Okayama, after checking that year’s illumination dates.
Q5: Can I bring my dog?
Miyama Park has a dog run and pets are allowed in some areas, but they must be on a lead of 2 metres or less, and there are also areas they cannot enter.
Before you go, please check the map of pet-friendly areas on the official website, and remember to take your dog’s mess home with you.
Q6: Is it suitable for children?
Very much so: the playground in the recreation area has a combination play structure designed around the concept of a “forest treehouse”, with a 6-metre tower at its centre surrounded by slides and climbing frames.
This play structure is designed for children aged 6 to 12, and children under 6 must always be accompanied by an adult when using it.
Final Thoughts: Set Aside Half a Day for Autumn in the Miyama English Garden, Between Okayama and the Seto Inland Sea
What makes Miyama Park special is that it has both Japanese-style pondside pine woods and the hedged flower gardens of the English Garden, so in the autumn-leaf season you can see two completely different kinds of autumn.
When planning, remember three things: the peak runs roughly from late October to early December (mid-November is most recommended), the English Garden is closed on Wednesdays, and from December the English Garden closes at 15:30.
With these points sorted, Miyama Park fits nicely between central Okayama and the Seto Inland Sea as an easy garden stroll on an autumn trip.
Further Reading
- Okayama Korakuen Autumn Leaves Guide: Night Illuminations, Tickets and Access
- Kinsuien Autumn Leaves Guide, Okayama
- Former Shizutani School Autumn Leaves Guide, Okayama
- Tanakaen Autumn Leaves Guide, Okayama
Buses to Miyama Park are infrequent and walking from Bizen-Tai Station means a stretch along the national highway, so if you are travelling with older relatives or children, have lots of luggage, or want to link Miyama Park, Korakuen and the Uno Port area in one day, getting around is often the most demanding part.
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