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Kyoto in autumn is attractive. The traditional Japanese metropolis abounds with temples and gardens stuffed with maple bushes that flip from inexperienced to gold, then orange and fiery crimson.
We discovered koyo (fall foliage season) simply as stunning as cherry blossom season, and it lasts longer.
On this put up, I share our picks for the very best locations to see autumn foliage in Kyoto, from well-known temples to quiet gardens.
Plus, you’ll be taught when to count on fall colors and the best way to discover out which temples have peak color throughout your go to. There’s a map on the finish with all these prime spots.
Contents
Greatest Time to Go to Kyoto for Autumn Foliage
November is the very best month to go to Kyoto to see autumn foliage. Color normally begins across the center of the month and peaks in the direction of the top of November.
Peak foliage dates differ yearly (see the forecasts under), however the final week of November is the most secure wager.
If doable, I might keep away from Labor Thanksgiving Day on 23 November, because it’s a really busy day for leaf viewing.
We had been fortunate to spend a month in Kyoto in 2023 and will see autumn color for over two weeks from 22 November to 7 December (after we left).
It was greener in the direction of the start of that interval and previous peak by the top. The colors had been at their finest from 24 to 30 November.
If you happen to go to earlier in November, you possibly can nonetheless discover fall color at greater elevations utilizing the forecast instruments under.
If you happen to go to Japan in late September or October, you’ll have to discover autumn foliage exterior of Kyoto, reminiscent of in far north Japan (Hokkaido) or at greater elevations.
Kyoto Autumn Leaves Forecast 2024
The Kyoto autumn leaves forecast for 2024 is at the moment predicting that the very best time to see autumn color is later than common.
It predicts the height time to be 16 December 2024 for Kyoto (11 days later than common). Word that there was an identical prediction on our 2023 go to, however the peak ended up being on the finish of November.
As of 22 November 2024, some spots in Kyoto have simply began to hit peak colors.
We used these fall foliage forecast websites to plan our autumn sightseeing.
Earlier than You Arrive
Japan Meteorological Company is an efficient first cease to get a way if fall colors are anticipated in Kyoto (and elsewhere within the nation) earlier or later than regular. The primary forecast is launched in early September however subsequent forecasts will probably be extra correct.
They’ve two projections for ginkgo (golden leaves) and momiji (crimson Japanese maple leaves). It’s momiji that you simply need to deal with for Kyoto, though you will discover just a few gingko bushes lining the streets.
If summer time is longer and warmer than regular, fall foliage will peak later than regular.
In Kyoto
As soon as you might be in Kyoto, we discovered the Kyoto Metropolis Autumn Leaves Calendar essentially the most great tool to plan the place to go and when.
It lists many temples, gardens, and parks throughout the town and its outskirts. On the prime, you’ll discover dates from 25 October to 10 December (it’s up to date twice per week throughout this time), with symbols marking when every spot is at its peak.
Crimson leaves characterize peak color, and though that is the very best time to go, it’s nonetheless price visiting when it’s orange (partially colored) or brown (previous peak).
The calendar additionally notes if reservations are wanted and if the temple has an evening illumination.
One other useful software is Souda Kyoto, which has often up to date photographs of many temples so you possibly can see how the colors are progressing. You’ll must translate the web page from Japanese.
Lastly, the Kishou web site (which additionally requires translating) has peak estimates for every temple and a reputation rating (the most well-liked spots have three stars).
Greatest Kyoto Fall Foliage Spots
One of the best locations to see the colorful autumn leaves in Kyoto are at temples. You’ll discover the odd vibrant crimson or yellow tree whereas wandering the town, however the temples (plus gardens and parks) are the place you’ll see lots of color.
These are our favorite Kyoto fall foliage spots (roughly ranked), however you possibly can see some beautiful color at virtually all temples.
Along with these, we loved visiting Kodaiji, Entokuin, and Shorein (all in Southern Higashiyama). Whereas the colorful bushes aren’t as intensive, they aren’t as busy as extra well-known koyo spots.
See our posts on the finest issues to do in Kyoto and Kyoto temples for particulars on these and extra concepts.
Word that the majority temples are open from 9am – 5pm (final entry 4pm) with an entrance charge of round 500 – 600 yen / $3.50 – $4 (many are money solely). Just a few temples cost additional at this peak time.
1) Eikando
Eikando is my prime choose for seeing autumn foliage in Kyoto. This temple is positioned north of Nanzenji, close to the Thinker’s Path.
Whereas it isn’t well-known amongst foreigners, it’s a preferred autumn spot for Japanese guests.
It’s price braving the crowds because the maples are intensive and vibrant, and the surroundings is numerous, with a pond, a number of temple buildings, and a metropolis view from the hillside.
We arrived within the late afternoon (3.45pm) on a weekday in an try and keep away from the crowds. It was nonetheless jam-packed however eased off by 4.30pm.
There’s tons to see on this giant advanced, and we spent 1 hour and 10 minutes there. You begin inside and comply with a set route alongside the wood corridors with out sneakers (put on heat socks). Deliver a bag to hold your sneakers if you happen to can (however they do present plastic baggage).
On this indoor part, you stroll in a stream of individuals and might admire historic fusuma (adorned sliding doorways) and the courtyard backyard with maples and a small pond.
You steadily make your solution to a temple constructing greater on the hill with completely different views of dense clusters of maples on the best way.
Then put your sneakers again on to discover the outside. Strolling up the hill to Tahoto Pagoda is a spotlight for a view of Kyoto and a sea of crimson and orange.
Again down the hill, the Hojo Pond is beautiful, with vibrant colors, a scenic bridge, reflections of the bushes within the water, and a view of the pagoda on the hillside. We even had a full moon so as to add to the magic.
There’s a teahouse by the pond, but it surely was closed after we arrived simply earlier than 5pm closing.
Eikando additionally has certainly one of Kyoto’s finest night time illuminations in autumn. I like to recommend visiting by day and night time as they’re completely different experiences (and also you don’t see the within areas or hillside pagoda at night time).
2) Enkoji
Enkoji is a bit out of the best way in Northern Kyoto, but it surely’s price visiting within the autumn for its variety, metropolis view, and decrease crowds than many different temples.
Reservations on the Enkoji web site are required in autumn (and the value is greater than the remainder of the 12 months at 1000 yen/ $7), however we received a reserving a day upfront. We booked the 4pm final slot to see the sundown.
Enkoji is smaller than Eikando however nonetheless diversified with a karesansui Zen backyard (rock backyard), stunning fusuma, mossy gardens, small bamboo grove, and pond with maple reflections.
Our favorite half was the tatami room the place you possibly can sit peacefully and admire the gardens. You don’t get this time for contemplation on the busier temples.
Afterwards, we walked up the hill to get a superb view of the town and sundown. Whereas it doesn’t have the identical sea of maples as Eikando, it was a extra peaceable expertise.
Additionally Value Visiting: Shisendo Temple is only some minutes from Enkoji and is one other quieter spot. It’s not identified for its autumn color, however there are some beautiful vibrant bushes and a tatami room to admire them from. We visited for half-hour earlier than Enkoji.
3) Jojakkoji
Jojakkoji is certainly one of our favorite cherry blossom spots in Kyoto and is much more beautiful in autumn—however quite a bit busier.
It’s positioned in Arashiyama, a distant neighbourhood that’s a must-visit in autumn (extra suggestions under).
At any time of 12 months, I like Jojakkoji’s hillside location, thatched roof gate, mossy gardens, bamboo grove, and pagoda.
Add to that vibrant crimson, orange, and yellow maples, and it’s a surprising spot.
4) Kiyomizu-Dera
Kiyomizu-dera is likely one of the most well-known Kyoto fall foliage spots (and probably the most visited temples at any time of 12 months).
It will get extremely busy in autumn, so I extremely advocate doing what I did and visiting early within the morning. Not like most temples, it opens at 6am.
On my 7am go to, it wasn’t empty, but it surely was a lot quieter and extra gratifying than our night go to.
The night time illuminations are magical, although, so do each if you happen to keep close by.
This can be a huge advanced, so enable a minimum of an hour to your go to.
Kiyomizu-dera has many temple buildings, however in autumn, it’s well-known for the mass of vibrant maples extending down the hillside—they had been essentially the most intensive of all of the spots we visited.
Count on to queue to get the enduring shot of the principle corridor overlooking the crimson hillside.
You’ll know if you get to this terrace at Okunoin Corridor—tons of of individuals had been crammed on right here at 8.30pm and I didn’t hassle (you possibly can nonetheless see the principle corridor from different angles). At 7am, there was nonetheless a brief however manageable wait.
Word that if you happen to do go early, the retailers on Kiyomizuzaka (the road main up the hill to the temple) don’t open till 10am (which generally is a blessing as this avenue will get so crowded). Starbucks on Ninenzaka is likely one of the solely locations close by open at 8am.
5) Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a neighbourhood within the western outskirts of Kyoto that’s effectively well worth the effort to get to, particularly in autumn.
Count on very excessive crowds, however the payoff is essentially the most autumnal place in Kyoto with vibrant bushes all over the place.
The Togetsukyo Bridge is an iconic spot to see fall colors on the hillside subsequent to the river. It’s also possible to take widespread boat journeys alongside the river.
There are various temples to discover in Arashiyama, together with our favorite Jojakkoji (see above).
Tenryuji is one other stunning temple, particularly in autumn. The gardens are intensive with a pond and lots of ranges to discover. Stroll up the steps close to the again for an excellent higher view. It’s also possible to see a number of the well-known bamboo forest.
Shigetsu is a Zen Buddhist restaurant within the gardens and one of many finest vegetarian eating places in Kyoto. Make sure to e book weeks forward in autumn.
6) Saihoji Moss Temple
Saihoji, generally often known as the Kyoto Moss Temple, just isn’t often known as an autumn vacation spot, however we cherished it in late November.
There are sufficient maples so as to add attractive distinction to the colourful inexperienced moss within the beautiful gardens.
Reservations are important to go to Saihoji, and it’s costlier than different temples, however this makes it way more tranquil. We adore it and extremely advocate combining it with Arashiyama.
See my information to the Kyoto Moss Temple for every thing it’s essential know.
7) Kibune and Kurama
Kibune and Kurama are two small villages in Northern Kyoto. Mixed with a hike by means of the forest over the mountain between the 2, that is certainly one of my favorite day journeys from Kyoto and a (comparatively) peaceable escape from the town.
Autumn is an exquisite time to go to. The leaves flip earlier at these greater elevations, and so they had been previous peak after we visited on 26 November.
We took the Eizan practice to Kibune, which takes you thru a reasonably tunnel of maple bushes. From the station, we walked up the street to Kibune Shrine, then by means of the west gate to Kurama-dera (500 yen/ $3.50 entrance).
A path by means of the forest (with a steep climb at first) introduced us to Kurama-dera the place the colors had been extra vibrant than in Kibune and the mountain views are incredible. As we received there by 10am, it wasn’t too busy.
We then walked all the way down to Kurama village, the place we had a wonderful vegetarian lunch at Yoshuji (see our vegetarian Kyoto information) earlier than taking the practice again to Kyoto from Kurama station.
Our 5km (3 mile) stroll took about two hours (together with time to discover Kurama-dera) with 321 metres (1053 ft) of elevation acquire. It wasn’t too difficult however put on first rate sneakers.
This is a superb and simple half-day journey if you’d like some train, a style of the Japanese countryside, recent mountain air, and a few fairly fall color (particularly earlier within the season).
If you happen to don’t need to hike, you can take the practice to Kurama after which the cable automobile as much as the temple.
8) Tofukuji
Tofukuji is a Zen temple that goes below the radar many of the 12 months, however guests descend in autumn because it’s probably the most well-known fall color locations.
The colors are vibrant and intensive, however we didn’t get pleasure from it as a lot as these above because the crowds had been so intense, even arriving at 8.30am opening. It prices 1000 yen ($7) in autumn.
The preferred view is of and from the Tsutenkyo Bridge, a lined wood walkway by means of a valley of maple bushes.
9) Nanzenji
Nanzenji is a incredible temple advanced to go to anytime, however autumn is particularly stunning.
Positioned close to the beginning of the Thinker’s Path, it’s simple to mix with different temples within the space (and we normally stroll from Gion with stops on the best way).
A lot of the advanced is free, and you may see autumn color all through, together with the massive Sanmon entrance gate, the brick aqueduct, and the serene little Saisho-in sub-temple.
We at all times love strolling up the forested hillside to the Okunoin shrine. It’s by no means busy up there and there have been splashes of color amongst the inexperienced forest. You’re feeling so removed from the town.
One subtemple price paying for is Tenjuan (to the proper if you enter Nanzenji), which is quieter than the principle areas.
After passing the Zen rock backyard, stroll by means of a mossy gate to a pond, which feels magical with its stepping stones, mossy banks, little waterfall, lily pads, and fallen maple leaves.
On 4 December, it was previous peak, but it surely will need to have been beautiful per week earlier.
10) Murin-an Backyard
Murin-an isn’t an iconic fall color spot, but it surely’s a superb quieter choice, particularly for backyard followers.
This contemporary Japanese backyard (relationship again to 1896) is on the grounds of a late Nineteenth-century villa. It’s a 10-minute stroll from Nanzenji.
You will need to e book upfront on the Murin-an web site; the value depends upon the date. Reserving a day or two forward ought to be high-quality. In early December, I went on the most affordable 600 yen ($4) date, which was very peaceable.
I paid an additional 1200 yen ($8.50) for matcha and sweets to begin my go to sitting on tatami within the tearoom overlooking the backyard.
Whereas it wasn’t my favorite matcha (and it’s expensive), it was a soothing place to linger and benefit from the view of the yellowing maple.
The backyard solely takes about 10 minutes to wander round, but it surely’s beautiful with stepping stone pathways, a stream, little waterfall, some scarlet maples, and the Higashiyama Mountains within the distance.
Autumn Temple Illuminations
In spring and autumn, some Kyoto temples open for night illuminations, and it’s price visiting one or two for a unique perspective on the gardens.
Illuminations normally begin in mid-November and run till early December, however verify the dates for every temple as they alter barely every year.
Count on crowds at these occasions. They normally run from round 5.30pm to 9pm and will probably be quietest within the final hour (though we nonetheless discovered them very busy). Attempt to go to on weekdays.
These are a number of the hottest temple illuminations in autumn:
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Eikando
- Tofukuji
- Kodaiji
- Toji
See the Souda Kyoto web site for a full record (translate from Japanese).
The place to Keep in Kyoto in Autumn
As autumn in Kyoto is peak season, it does assist to remain near the principle sights for early begins. Be sure that to e book effectively forward (ideally 3-5 months earlier than).
Resort The Celestine in Gion is a 15-minute stroll from Kiyomizu-dera, excellent for that important early morning go to.
Yachiyo Ryokan is barely 5 minutes from Nanzenji and 10 minutes from Eikando, which was particularly handy for the night time illumination. Our big room had a non-public onsen and a view of a scarlet maple tree within the backyard.
See our information to the place to remain in Kyoto for full critiques of each these, plus different suggestions of locations we’ve stayed.
Climate in Kyoto in Autumn
Whereas early November in Kyoto can nonetheless be scorching (it was 26ºC/ 79ºF on our go to), the temperature drops quickly by means of the month.
By 10 November, temperatures had been all the way down to round 15ºC, and in the course of the month, it felt like winter arrived in a single day with 7ºC temperatures within the morning.
By the top of November (peak fall viewing time), temperatures ranged from 3ºC within the morning to round 12ºC throughout the day.
It didn’t rain a lot, but it surely was typically cloudy.
Layers are one of the simplest ways to decorate for Kyoto in autumn.
I normally wore a long-sleeved t-shirt, mild cashmere sweater, light-weight Patagonia down jacket, denims, woolly hat and gloves. My Allbirds Wool Runners served me effectively as they’re heat, comfy, and simple to slide off at temples.
We picked up additional winter garments from Uniqlo, which has affordable costs and the Heattech vary is nice for layering. It’s also possible to purchase hats and gloves from comfort shops.
Map of Kyoto Autumn Foliage Spots
Is Kyoto in Autumn Value It?
Autumn is likely one of the busiest and most costly instances of 12 months to go to Kyoto, however for us, it was price it. There are such a lot of temples and gardens the place you possibly can get pleasure from really beautiful fall colors.
Kyoto is gorgeous at any time of 12 months, however autumn (and spring) are additional particular.
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