Lots of you recognize that I used to reside in Kyoto. What you may not understand is that in 2018, three years earlier than I name town my house, I did a take a look at run: I booked out every week in one in every of my favourite ryokan in late November, and immersed myself in Kyoto’s greatest autumn coloration spots.
This journey not solely tipped me towards selecting Kyoto as a base after I later determined to reside in Japan and research Japanese, but additionally set in movement my love affair with Japan’s fall season. I’ve since come again to Kyoto usually throughout this magical time of yr, and I’m excited to share my findings with you.
So, what are the very best autumn coloration spots in Kyoto? In all places—town is awash in them—however the locations I’m about to checklist are my very favorites.
When Do Autumn Leaves Peak in Kyoto?
One factor that surprises many vacationers about fall colours in Kyoto is how late within the yr they seem. In most years, you received’t see peak colours—so, deep purple maples and vivid yellow ginkgoes—till November 20, and even later. So in case you’re planning a visit to Kyoto in October and even the primary half of November, chances are you’ll wish to rethink, at the very least if seeing autumn coloration is a precedence for you.
As a common rule, I’d say that it’s higher to be “late” than early. Should you arrive in Kyoto earlier than the leaves have peaked, you in all probability received’t be there lengthy sufficient to attend for them to vary. Should you arrive after the height has began, nevertheless, you’ll be able to count on the colourful leaves to remain on the bushes for at the very least every week or two. And even when some (or most!) have fallen, this creates its personal enchanting autumn scene!
The Finest Locations to See Fall Colours in Kyoto
Daigo-ji
For my cash, Daigo-ji is probably the most stunning place to see autumn colours in Kyoto. Particularly, the Benten-do pagoda (which is positioned about quarter-hour previous the principle ticket gates) is very beautiful, rising over a pond that’s surrounding by maple bushes. To get right here, journey the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line to Daigo Station, then stroll or take the shuttle bus.
Arashiyama
Moderately than one particular place, the Arashiyama district hits many various factors on the subject of the place to see fall colours in Kyoto. Whereas particular points of interest like Tenryu-ji temple (beneath) and Okochi-sanso Villa supply apparent charms, you might also really feel enchanted merely strolling alongside the Katsura River, whether or not you accomplish that mindlessly, or to Daihikaku Senko-ji, the temple featured in the principle picture of this put up.
TIP: When you end in Arashiyama, journey the prepare to Emmachi Station, switch to Bus #205 and journey it to the Kinkaku-ji golden pavilion, which can also be fabulous in autumn.
Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji
Situated on the southern finish of the Thinker’s Path (itself one in every of my favourite locations to see autumn colours in Kyoto), this pair of zen temples makes for an autumn coloration wonderland—I particularly love the view from the second ground of Nanzen-ji. Should you don’t thoughts staying up late, be certain to come back to Eikan-do at evening, when illuminations happen each night between mid-November and early December.
NOTE: There are many superior maple and ginkgo bushes alongside Higashiyama’s slim streets, so don’t really feel such as you essentially must go to any “points of interest” to get pleasure from koyo!
Kiyomizu-dera
I’ll warn you: Though Kiyomizu-dera tends to high lists of the place to see autumn colours in Kyoto, it’s additionally one of the vital crowded locations you’ll be able to go to at the moment of yr. Merely attending to the principle remark deck requires pushing via crowds of individuals, to say nothing of how taxing it is likely to be to take an image when you get there. My recommendation is to be affected person, however not aggressive! Don’t be shy about savoring your time.
Tofuku-ji and To-ji
Tofuku-ji is arguably much more crowded in autumn than Kiyomizu-dera, which is loopy to me as a result of it’s usually not a temple folks pay a lot thoughts. That is additionally the case over at To-ji, which can also be positioned south of Kyoto Station, albeit towards the western entrance of town, somewhat than the east. I often wish to see each these temples on the identical day, if I can.
Autumn Colour Day Journeys from Kyoto
Take it from me: There may be sufficient autumn goodness in Kyoto to spend every week (and even longer) simply within the metropolis heart! Nonetheless, there are additionally a variety of superior day journeys:
- Nara: The one factor extra enchanting than seeing this metropolis’s historical picket buildings in autumn is watching native deer play underneath the falling leaves.
- Lake Biwa: Whether or not from atop Enryaku-ji on the “Kyoto facet,” or at Hikone and Nagahama Castles on the opposite shore, this large lake is much more stunning in autumn.
- Osaka: You may not assume an enormous metropolis like Osaka could be stunning in autumn, however you’d be very, very flawed! Osaka Citadel particularly is spectacular.
- Koyasan: Should you’re in central Kyoto too early for autumn colours, head as much as Mt. Koya to catch the a lot earlier change of seasons (first or second week of November) there.
Different FAQ About Seeing Fall Colours in Kyoto
The place is the autumn in Kyoto?
Autumn colours are stunning throughout Kyoto, significantly amid the temples of Higashiyama and in Arashiyama, the place tree-covered mountains towering above the thundering Katsura River. In addition to these standard vacationer districts, you’ll be able to get pleasure from autumn leaves on Kyoto’s periphery, resembling at Daigo-ji temple within the metropolis’s southeast.
What coloration are the leaves in Kyoto?
Kyoto has all types of autumn leaf colours. Nonetheless, probably the most stunning ones are the deep purple momiji (maple) leaves, and the intense yellow ginkgo leaves. In some components of Kyoto, total forests appear to blaze in hues of purple and yellow, significantly as you stroll via them and search for.
Is Kyoto crowded in November?
Over the last two weeks of November, Kyoto is at the very least as crowded as it’s over the past week of March or the primary week of April, i.e. cherry blossom season. Whereas this doesn’t essentially detract from the expertise—is it any surprise folks flock from far and broad to benefit from the season?—you must put together your self for it.
The Backside Line
The place are the very best autumn coloration spots in Kyoto? I like to recommend exploring in several components of town, so to get a complete portrait of simply how a lot the reds, oranges and yellows of autumn improve Japan’s former capital, which is already (in my view) its most stunning metropolis. I additionally recommend giving your self loads of time—at the very least three full days—so to pause and truly benefit from the change of seasons, versus merely hopping from spot to identify. Need assistance placing collectively the last word Kyoto autumn itinerary, and all through Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at the moment!