Autumn Leaves & Light-Up at Shizutani School 2026 | A Short Drive Within Bizen from Hinase
From November 7, 2026, the historic Shizutani School in Bizen celebrates its autumn colors, with evening light-ups of the National Treasure lecture hall and its famous trees until November 15.
What is it?
Shizutani School was founded in the 17th century by the Okayama domain as a school for ordinary people — one of the oldest public schools in Japan. Its lecture hall, roofed with tiles of local Bizen pottery, is a designated National Treasure. Each autumn, the two Chinese pistache trees (*kai-no-ki*) in front of the hall turn from gold to crimson, framed by maple trees all around.
During the autumn event "Welcome to Shizutani in Autumn Colors," food stalls and Bizen-ware vendors set up near the entrance gate. In the first half of the event, the hall and the autumn leaves are lit up in the evening, and a music program, "LIVE! Shizutani," is scheduled during the same period.
Dates & Venue
- Autumn event: November 7 (Sat) – November 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
- Evening light-up: November 7 (Sat) – November 15 (Sun), 2026
- Venue: Shizutani School, Bizen City, Okayama
- A separate ticket from the daytime admission is required for the light-up. Please check the official information for prices and hours.
Getting there from our stay
Our Hinase house and Shizutani School are both in Bizen City, and driving is the easiest option. According to the official guide, the school is about 15 minutes from Bizen IC and about 5 minutes from Wake IC on the Sanyo Expressway, with on-site parking. By public transport, take a local bus from JR Yoshinaga Station and walk about 5 minutes from the "Shizutani Gakko" stop.
Tips
- Visit twice in one day: The leaves look very different in daylight and under the evening lights.
- Stop by Imbe, the Bizen pottery town: Also in Bizen City, Imbe is home to many kilns and galleries.
- Next morning, head to Hinase port: Oyster season begins as winter approaches — a good chance to enjoy local seafood.
- Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed inside the historic site. Evenings get chilly, so bring a warm layer.
Official information
- Shizutani School Autumn Event 2026 (Okayama Tourism)
- Shizutani School Light-Up 2026 (Okayama Tourism)
- Shizutani School official website
After a day among the autumn leaves, unwind with a quiet seaside evening at our house in Hinase.