Zuihoji Temple — Arima's Historic Zen Temple

Zuihoji Temple (瑞宝寺) is a Zen temple in Arima Onsen's forested hills, famous for autumn foliage — over 2,500 maple trees create a red-orange canopy in November. The temple was originally founded in 713 CE and later frequented by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (16th-century warlord) who held tea ceremonies here and praised the autumn colors as Nihon ichi (日本一, Japan's best).

The temple grounds include a moss garden, stone lanterns, and walking paths through maple groves. A large boulder called Hideyoshi no Koshikake-iwa (秀吉の腰掛け岩, Hideyoshi's Sitting Stone) marks where the warlord allegedly sat to view the foliage. The temple is quieter than Arima's main onsen district, providing contemplative forest atmosphere 10 minutes' walk uphill from the town center.