“Autumn is the second spring when every leaf is a flower”.
Japan is most certainly famous for its short-lived cherry blossom season that attracts visitors from all over the world. However, it is not the only season deeply appreciated by the Japanese people. Autumn is cherished in Japan with the same passion as spring. People go out to admire the incredible autumn foliage, take photos, sample seasonal snacks and enjoy time outside.
Autumn in Kyoto
One of the best places in Japan to enjoy this colourful season is Kyoto. Maple and gingko trees are planted in every garden and at every temple. This guide will show you the best places and it will get you prepared for the most wonderful time of the year in Kyoto!
Kifune Shrine
Kifune shrine, or Kifune-jinja, is one of the first places where to see autumn foliage in Kyoto, because it is set in the mountains on north of the city, in a charming little town Kibune. The steps, towards the main entrance of the shrine are lined with dozens of red lanterns that just enhance the atmosphere. Kifune shrine is dedicated to the god of water, the source of all life. There are many other small temples and shrines in the town. Just take the stroll up the road and you’ll see what you can discover.
Kibune
The town Kibune spreads along the Kibune river and it is full of traditional wooden Japanese houses. You will find here many kaiseki restaurants with the river and forest views. Kaiseki cuisine is a form of high-end multi-course Japanese dinner or lunch that is prepared solely from fresh seasonal local ingredients. The dishes are prepared with artistic touches. Some of the restaurants set up special terraces directly on the river, where you can enjoy your kaiseki meal during warm summer months (the outdoors terraces are available only in June, July and August).
How to get there
Kibune is connected to Kyoto with Eizan line, but to get to the shrine, you will also need to take a bus. From central Kyoto, take the Keihan line to Demachiyanagi station (the train goes all the way from Kyobashi station in Osaka). At Demachiyanagi switch to Eizan railway and ride 30 more minutes to Kibune-guchi station. The train leaves every 15 to 20 minutes so plan accordingly. From Kibune-guchi station you can either hike 30 minutes towards the shrine, or you can take a bus (the one-way bus ride costs 170 yen).
Opening hours and fees
Kifune shrine is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm (only until 6 pm from December to April). The entry is free of charge.
Eikan-do Zenrin-ji Temple
Eikan-do Zenrin-ji temple is one of the most magnificent temples with the most beautiful striking autumn foliage I have ever seen. You can walk inside the temple and admire the amazing ancient art, for example the famous Buddha statue that is overlooking over his shoulder (unfortunately you cannot take photos inside the temple). When the foliage is in its peak, the temple organizes night illuminations.
Because the temple is so beautiful, it is also really popular, so brace yourself with patience, especially if you are visiting during the weekend.
How to get there
Eikan-do is located at the southern end of the Philosopher’s Path. The closest station is Keage station where you can get with Kyoto metro Tozai line. From Keage station it is approximately 13-minute walk (about 1 km).
If you wish to take a bus, the Kyoto City Bus number 5 will take you from Kyoto station to the Nanzenji-Eikando-michi station. It is 5-minute walk from there to the temple.
Opening hours and fees
Eikan-do temple is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm. The entrance fee during the year is 600 yen, but in autumn the price goes up to 1000 yen. Tickets to night illuminations cost 600 yen.
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
The view over the famous Golden Pavilion reflecting in the tranquil pond surrounded by zen garden is claimed to be one of the top three sights of Japan (together with Mt. Fuji and Daibutsu Buddha in Nara). I am honestly not surprised by this claim, because truth to be told, Kinkaku-ji is simply stunning. The golden façade shines playfully in the sun and recently, the temple underwent a reconstruction, when its originally black roof was exchanged to a golden one.
Kinkaku-ji is a stunner all year around and a must-see place in Kyoto. I recommend coming in as soon as they open, because there are crowds throughout the day. At the exit, you will find a tea room where you can enjoy a hot matcha tea under the autumn trees.
How to get there
The Golden Pavilion is located on the north of central Kyoto. The easiest way to get there is by bus. Kinkakuji-michi bus stop is located right at the entrance of the temple and you can get there with buses number: 101, 102, 111, 204, 205, 59 and 12.
Opening hours and fees
Golden Pavilion is open daily all year round from 9 am to 5 pm. The entrance fees for adults are 400 yen.
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is one the most iconic temples of Kyoto. Its massive wooden veranda overlooks the whole city and provides scenic views over surrounding mountains. Because it sits at the end of the pedestrian area of Higashiyama, this place is very popular and usually busy. In autumn, they organize night illuminations of the autumn foliage, but there are several public events held at the temple during the year.
Kiyomizu-dera is one of the places in Kyoto, that you shouldn’t miss. Its name translates as “Pure Water Temple” and it is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is beautiful all year round, as there are several cherry blossoms that bloom in early April and many maple trees.
How to get there
Because the temple is located within pedestrian area, the best way to get there is by bus. You can take the city buses number 100 and 206 and get off either at the Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stops. From there, you will have to walk for about 10-15 minutes to reach the temple.
Opening hours and fees
Compared to other temples, Kiyomizu-dera is open for long hours – from 6 am to 6 pm every day. The admission is 400 yen.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a small town on the north-west of Kyoto. It’s the home of the famous bamboo grove, but there is so much more to do and see. The mountains surrounding Arashiyama are full of sacred temples and hiking trails. On the main street, you will find plenty of cute souvenir shops and local restaurants. Maple and gingko trees are growing in all the temples as well as along the river, so the whole area turns into one autumn paradise.
Best Places to Visit in Arashiyama
You can spend a whole day in Arashiyama, there is simply so much to do! I dedicated a whole article to this area and you can read it here.
Read MoreHow to get there
By train
There are several train stations and bus stops in Arashiyama, you just have to pick, which connection is most convenient for you. The main Arashiyama station on the south of the town is home to Hankyu Arashiyama line, JR San-In line will get you to the Saga-Arashiyama station. If you wish, you can also take a tram from Kitanohakubaicho station in Kyoto to Arashiyama tram station which is located right next to the Kimono Forest.
By bus
If you wish to take a bus, the journey will take about 45 minutes from central Kyoto. There is a flat rate of 230 yen. You can take any of these buses to get there: Kyoto City Bus num. 28, or any of the regular buses 72, 73, 76, 77, 83 and 86.
Daigo-ji Temple
Daigo-ji temple is not exactly close to the city, but because of its picture-perfect pagoda surrounded by maple trees that are reflecting in the pond, it is one of the most popular places in Kyoto to go and see autumn foliage. The temple grounds spread through the whole mountainside and they include several Buddhist halls, a museum and a 5-storey pagoda. The forest that surrounds the temple is really lovely and it hides few hiking trails to the top of the mountain.
Daigo-ji is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is known is the “Temple of Flowers”. It is beautiful to visit all year round. Walking towards the main entrance, there are many cherry blossom trees that bloom in spring and in summer the forests are lush green.
How to get there
The closest station to Daigo-ji is Daigo station, where you can get with Tozai line. From Daigo station it is approximately 1 km walk.
Opening hours and fees
The temple is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is usually 800 yen, but in peak season (autumn and cherry blossom season) it can go up to 1500 yen.
Nanzen-ji Temple, Suirokaku Water Bridge and Tenju-an Garden
Nanzen-ji temple, Suirokaku water bridge and Tenju-an garden are located all together at one place close to each other. They are not far from the Eikan-do temple, at the southern end of the Path of Philosophy. The whole area is surrounded with a park that plays with all the shades of red, orange and yellow during autumn months.
Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. The spacious grounds are located right under Higashiyama Mountain and they are open for public for free. The most dramatic feature is the large wooden gate with a viewing platform on the top. The gate is open from 9 am to 5 pm and it costs 600 yen to go up there.
Tenju-an
Just a couple of metres away from the large wooden gate of Nanzen-ji, there’s a small door that leads to one of the most stunning gardens in Kyoto – Tenju-an. The garden is part of a small Zen sub-temple from the 17th century. The first part of the garden is a rock garden, with rocks being set into the shapes of waves, while the second part is a pond garden with koi fish, bridges over water, maple trees and bamboo. The best time to visit the garden is in autumn, during the second half of November. I visited during the first weekend of December and it was a bit too late, but nevertheless, it’s a beautiful place.
Tenju-an is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and tickets cost 300 yen.
Suirokaku Aqueduct
As you pass the Nanzen-ji temple and go towards the forest, you will spot a rather odd site – a large aqueduct made of red bricks passing right through the temple grounds. The water bridge was built during Meiji restoration in the 19th century and it still serves its purpose to bring water to Kyoto from Lake Biwa in the neighbouring Shiga prefecture. Surrounded by trees, the bridge is truly beautiful and an interesting place for photographers. There are no opening hours or entrance fees to visit this place.
How to get there
The closest station to the Nanzen-ji temple is Keage station, where you can get with Tozai line. From the station it’s only about 10 minute walk to the temple (less than 1 km).
Bishamon-do Temple
Bishamon-do is an 8th century temple that is mostly known for its autumn foliage. It is not big in size, located on the eastern side of Higashiyama Mountains. The most famous photo spot is the stairway that leads up to the temple that is all covered in red maple leaves at the end of November and thus creates a stunning scenery.
Bishamon-do is definitely a beautiful temple to visit, frequented mostly by locals. If you like hiking, there are some hiking trails surrounding the temple. Some of them will take you to the other side of Higashiyama Mountains to the centre of Kyoto and to Nanzen-ji temple.
How to get there
The closest train station is Yamashina, where you can get with Tokaido-Sanyo line, JR Haruka, Tozai metro line, Kosei line and Keihan line. From the station it is about 20-minute walk to the temple.
Opening hours and fees
The temple is open every day from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Visiting the temple grounds is free, but if you would like to see the inside of the temple, the fee is 500 yen. The famous staircase is located outside the temple and you can visit it any time.
Murin-an Garden
Less than 1 km away from Nanzen-ji, towards Higashiyama district and Heian shrine, there’s a hidden secret garden in the small alleys surrounding the Kyoto ZOO. Murin-an is a private villa from Taisho period with a teahouse, from where you can admire its gorgeous Zen garden. You can completely forget the busy city outside the walls of the garden, it is very quaint and peaceful place. You can get a cup of tea in the teahouse, or just walk through the garden paths. If you’d like to enhance your Kyoto experience, the owners also organize tea ceremonies, but you have to book this in advance (you can do so by emailing them on [email protected].).
How to get there
The closest station to the Murin-an is Keage station where you can get with Tozai line. From the station it’s about 6-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a bus number 5 or 100 to the Heian shrine. From Heian shrine you should reach the garden within 10 minutes.
Opening hours and fees
The garden is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last admission at 4:30 pm. Because it is a private property, you have to pay an entrance fee 410 yen. If you wish to have a tea in the teahouse, the ticket will be reimbursed.
Autumn is a peak time to visit Murin-an and it may happen that they won’t have enough tickets. You can book them prior your arrival on their official website here.
The best time to see autumn foliage in Kyoto
Autumn in Kyoto starts relatively late. The leaves slowly start to change colours at the beginning of November and they are usually in their peak in the second half of November. If the summer is particularly warm, the best time to see the foliage might be even later, at the beginning of December (but I personally found out that it was too late). Mountainous areas, such as Arashiyama and Kibune usually start to have foliage earlier by a week.
Autumn is my favourite time of the year in Japan, because it is cosy, the weather is still pleasantly warm and sunny and the nature colours are simply incredible. Where in the world have you experienced the most beautiful autumn?
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If you are traveling to Japan during spring or summer, you can experience some amazing flower viewing. Check some guide to seasonal flowers in Kansai!
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