Autumn in Kyoto is a must-see. Introducing the best spots to see autumn leaves in Kyoto!

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Check out some professional autumn foliage photos

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• Table of Contents
• Tenryu-ji Temple
• Kifune Shrine
• Kiyomizu Temple
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
• Shimogamo Shrine
• Eikando Temple
• Toji Temple
• Ninnaji Temple
• Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge)
• Sagano Scenic Train
• Philosopher's Path
• Peak time for autumn foliage in Kyoto
• Points to note when viewing
• Leave it to Capture My Japan to take photos with autumn leaves

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple, which has been designated a World Heritage Site, is famous for the huge painting of a cloud dragon on the ceiling of the lecture hall.

Tenryu-ji Temple is popular for its spectacular seasonal views, and is also famous for its beautiful autumn scenery. There is a lot to see on the vast grounds, but the view of the trees of various colors, such as red, yellow, and green, reflected on the surface of the pond is particularly spectacular.

Tenryuji Temple

Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Ukyo ward, Sagatenryuji Suenobaba-cho 68

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine, which enshrines the god of water, has a long history, with records dating back about 1,300 years. It is said to bring good luck in finding a partner and improve fortune, so many people come to worship here.

In autumn, the maple trees on both sides of the approach to the shrine, lined with beautiful red lanterns, turn red and create a beautiful tunnel.

During the autumn foliage season, illumination events are usually held after sunset, allowing you to see beautiful nighttime scenery that is different from the daytime.

Kifune Shrine

180 Kurama Kifune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 601-1112

Kifune Shrine is about an hour away from the tourist spots by subway and bus from Kyoto Station. It's a must-visit place when you come to Kyoto. It shows off beautiful scenery in every season, especially from early to late November when it is lit up, making the beauty of the autumn leaves stand out even more.

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous tourist attractions, is famous for its autumn leaves. The maple trees that surround the main hall create a spectacular view. There are over 1,000 maple trees in the temple grounds, and you can see the autumn scenery in various places.

Every year, a nighttime illumination event is held, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage. A blue ray of light is also cast into the sky, representing the Kannon's compassionate heart, and many people visit the place to catch a glimpse of the magnificent view that can only be seen at this time of year.

Kiyomizudera Temple

Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Higashiyama ward, Kiyomizu 1-294

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Photo by Masaki

There are shrines all over Japan that worship Michizane Sugawara, the god of learning, but the head shrine is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto. For that reason, many students and exam candidates come to worship at the shrine.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is also popular for its beautiful autumn foliage. There are about 350 maple trees in the western area of the shrine grounds, and during the autumn foliage season, you can see the red bridge and the crimson-colored maple trees, creating a typical Japanese autumn scene.

November, when the leaves change color, is also the time when many people visit the temple for the traditional Japanese event, "Shichi-Go-San." If you visit, please be careful not to get in the way of the other visitors.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

602-8386 Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of Tenmangu Shrines, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who is famous as the god of learning. It is a sacred place for academic success, where students preparing for entrance exams and people taking qualification exams often come to pray for success. There is also Momiji Garden, where about 300 maple trees are lined up along the river.

Shimogamo Shrine

Photo by nari

Shimogamo Shrine, along with Kamigamo Shrine, is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and is said to have a history of 2,300 years.

Tadasu no Mori, located within the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine, is known as the spot in Kyoto where the leaves change color the latest, and usually reaches its peak around early to mid-December. If you missed the autumn leaves in Japan, be sure to visit Shimogamo Shrine. A tunnel of autumn leaves will form, and you can walk through the beautiful scenery.

Also, just like Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, the peak season for viewing the autumn leaves is when many visitors flock to the shrine for the traditional Japanese event of "Shichi-Go-San," so please be careful not to get too absorbed in taking photos or other activities that might get in the way of the other visitors.

Kamo Goso Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine)

59 Shimogamo Izumikawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-0807

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Eikando Temple

Eikando is known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, and has long been said to be "Eikando of autumn leaves." It is a must-see tourist spot if you are touring the autumn leaves in Kyoto.

There are about 3,000 maple trees, and the combination of the Japanese garden and buildings is a spectacular sight. Also, the sight of the Tahoto Pagoda, the highest point in the temple grounds, surrounded by the red maple leaves is a must-see.

Eikando Temple

6068445 48 Eikandocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

"Eikando" has long been known as "Eikando of the Maple Trees," and is so famous for its beautiful autumn leaves that it was even mentioned in the Heian period poetry collection "Kokin Wakashu." The rock wall maples planted on the steep slopes near the hall and corridors are a spot that can only be seen here. They are also lit up at night, showing a completely different look from daytime.

Toji Temple

Toji Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous tourist destinations, is a temple with over 1,200 years of history. The five-story pagoda on the temple grounds is the largest wooden pagoda in Japan at 55 meters, and is a symbol of Kyoto.

Toji Temple is also a place where you can see autumn leaves, with around 250 maple trees planted within the temple grounds. You can enjoy a variety of beautiful autumn foliage scenes, including the collaboration between the five-story pagoda and the autumn leaves, the autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the pond, and the leaves lit up at night.

Be sure to check out the autumn leaves at Toji Temple, a tourist destination that's synonymous with Kyoto.

Toji Temple

1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-8473

Ninnaji Temple

Photo by pixta

Founded in 888, Ninna-ji Temple is a beautiful and prestigious temple, with members of the imperial family having served as its chief priests for generations.

It is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, but the autumn leaves are also not to be missed. Because the spring cherry blossoms are so famous and it is a little far from Kyoto Station, there are fewer people than other autumn leaf viewing spots, making it a hidden gem of a tourist spot in Kyoto in autumn.

Ninnaji Temple

33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8092

Ninnaji Temple was founded in 888 and is currently the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. The temple grounds are lined with buildings constructed during the Edo period, and the Omuro cherry blossoms, planted during the same period, are in full bloom around mid-April. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an important cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto. (Photo by AC)

Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge)

Photo by yukky

Arashiyama is a popular tourist destination in Kyoto, and is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves. The sight of Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the river with the red and yellow Arashiyama in the background is one of Kyoto's most representative autumn scenes.

You can enjoy the autumn leaves all day long just in Arashiyama, with sights such as Tenryu-ji Temple, with its beautiful Japanese gardens and vibrant autumn leaves, and Kami-Jakko-ji Temple, where the combination of the stone pavement and autumn leaves is photogenic.

Togetsukyo

Sagano Scenic Train

Sagano Scenic Train Official Website

On the Sagano Torokko Train, you can enjoy the spectacular seasonal scenery of Kyoto on a 25-minute train ride from Sagano to Arashiyama, Hozukyo, and Kameoka.

You can see beautiful scenery all year round, but it is especially popular in the autumn when the leaves change color. You can travel through a tunnel of autumn leaves and see fantastical scenery that looks like a painting, making it a memorable train trip.

During the autumn foliage season, tickets must be purchased in advance, so we recommend securing your tickets as soon as possible once your itinerary has been decided.

Philosopher's Path

The Philosopher's Path is a 2km long walking path that connects Ginkakuji Temple and Wakaoji Shrine. It is a beautiful path that has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan.

In autumn, the trees planted along the canal turn a vibrant red. There are many famous autumn foliage spots near the Philosopher's Path, such as Eikando, Nanzenji, and Ginkakuji, so why not take a stroll along the Philosopher's Path and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery while visiting these places?

Philosopher's Path

606-8404 Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward, Jodo-ji Shimonamida-cho

The Philosopher's Path is a 1.5-kilometer road that stretches from Ginkakuji Temple to Eikando Temple and Nanzenji Temple.

Peak time for autumn foliage in Kyoto

The best time to see autumn leaves in Kyoto is usually from mid-November to early December , but there are some places where the best time to see them is from late October, and some where you can enjoy the leaves even in mid-December.

However, this can vary slightly depending on the weather conditions of the year, so we recommend checking the official websites of the autumn foliage viewing spots to determine the best time to see the leaves.

Points to note when viewing

It's tempting to get up close and personal with the beautiful autumn leaves to take photos, but please refrain from breaking branches or tearing off leaves . Just enjoy the sight of them. If you want to take photos with colored leaves, it's a good idea to use leaves that have fallen to the ground.

Depending on the location, there are areas where entry is prohibited. In some places, photography is also prohibited. If more people start being selfish and thinking, "It's okay to take a little photo," entry to the surrounding areas may also be prohibited. Please enjoy yourself by following the local rules.

It's a great spot for photogenic of autumn leaves, but please remember to be considerate of your surroundings when taking photos . Selfie sticks and tripods may be a nuisance to those around you. In some places, their use is prohibited. Please be mindful of your surroundings and use with caution.

A big problem in Japanese tourist destinations is littering by tourists. This isn't limited to when viewing autumn leaves, but please be sure to take any trash you produce home with you.

Leave it to Capture My Japan to take photos with autumn leaves

Why not ask a professional photographer to take commemorative photos of you with the autumn leaves of Kyoto?

With " Capture My Japan ," you can take photos not only in Kyoto, but anywhere in Japan. The photographer in charge will handle any permission applications for locations that are difficult to obtain in Japanese. The photographer who can speak English will communicate closely with you while taking photos, so even those who are not confident in Japanese will have no problem.

The rate for "Capture My Japan" starts from 49,500 yen per hour (including 50 edited photos). Currently, if you enter coupon code " MCM-21249 " when applying, you can get a 5% discount on your photography experience. If you're considering using Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!

Official website: https://capturemy.jp/

Photographer: https://lovegraph.notion.site/Photographers-2e00aa4468c0438dafe5ce576dd39be7

Check out some professional autumn foliage photos