Kyoto Autumn Spots

It’s November already – it means yellow, orange, and red leaves are coming soon! Here are several spots in Kyoto that I’ve visited for momiji (maple leaves) viewing during the last three years. Hint: in Kyoto, the best time to enjoy autumn leaves is in the mid to late November. Don’t miss it!

[Free Entrance]

1. Okazaki Park

Being one of my favourite spot in Kyoto, Okazaki Park offers a various color of autumn in one spot: the red of momiji, the oranye of sakura trees leaves, and the yellow of ginkgo trees are spread around the park. Starting from the back of Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, there is a hidden spot where big maple leaves are lining up and create a beautiful vibrant color of autumn. Unfortunately, as of 2018 the trees are not in their best condition because of the museum’s renovation. Hopefully it will gives its best color next year! If you go from east to west towards the street in front of Miyako Messe, there will be a red/oranye color of trees around you. Meanwhile, if you go south, you will find a yellow ginkgo trees lining up in front of Kyoto Prefectural Library. Best time to enjoy Okazaki Park is in the late afternoon, around 3-5 PM (sunset is at 5 PM during autumn). Please also note that the colours of trees in Okazaki Park are usually get its peak earlier than other spots. Come in the middle of November if you would like to enjoy autumn colours at its best here!

2. Kyoto University

You don’t have to be a student to visit Kyoto University! In autumn, the campus is vibrant with colours, and in late November, they have annual November Festival that worth to visit. Go to Yoshida North Campus to see a lining yellow ginkgo trees, and feel free to walk around Yoshida main campus to Yoshida south campus to enjoy other autumn spots.

Kyoto Imperial Palace is an enchanting place in the middle of Kyoto city that worth to visit every season. In autumn, the red, yellow, and oranye colors of trees are blended in its huge park. For a best view of autumn, I usually enter the palace from the Imadegawa Gate (in front of Doshisha University) and walk to the west side of the palace. Enjoy the serene ambiance while having your eyes spoiled by beautiful fall colours around.

4. Arashiyama

One might say you haven’t see the REAL autumn in Kyoto if you haven’t go to Arashiyama. Arashiyama does have a magnificent colors in autumn – the green mountains turns into a gradation in colours, creating contrast with the turquoise-blue Katsura river underneath. However, be minded that Arashiyama in autumn can be REALLY CROWDED – the kind of crowded that can make you walking without really actually walking (you just flowing with the walking crowds – if you know what I mean). A friend of mine recommend the observation deck for you who wants to enjoy Arashiyama view at its best. You may also try riding Sagano Romantic Train from Saga-Arashiyama to Kameoka (620yen) for a splendid nature view. Those who have interest in cultural properties may enter Tenryu-ji Temple (500yen), a UNESCO World Heritage that has beautiful Japanese garden with autumn leaves around. For a first timer in Kyoto, I can say Arashiyama is a must-visit in autumn. 

5. Philosopher Path and around

Even though Philosopher Path in autumn is less scenic than its in spring, if you happen to be around Ginkaku-ji, don’t miss the chance to explore some autumn spots around! The starting of Philosopher Path might not really scenic, but if you walk straight through the path, you will see more colors. You can either walk south following the path or walk north to the road leading to the hiking path of Daimonji – the gradation of the trees here are naturally beautiful.

[Paid Entrance]

1. Nanzen-ji

Probably one of temples that have a garden that large enough to be explored without have to pay an entrance fee. In autumn, trees in the front of Sanmon entrance gate turns red. Walk to the eastern side of the garden and you will find the aqueduct, another photo spot with lots of colourful trees around. But if you are looking for a more splendid scenery, go enter Tenjuan Temple (400 yen), one of the small temples inside Nanzen-ji. Although it is famous for the autumn light up, I personally suggest you to come in a daytime. Go walk to the back garden -the leaves are framing the garden and the gradation in the trees are reflected in a pond. It was quite a view to see!

2. Eikan-do

Different from Nanzen-ji, to enjoy autumn in Eikan-do, visitors must pay an entrance fee. No outer garden to be explored. However, a 600 yen fee will give you one of the most bursting autumn color in one place, so I would say the fee is worth it! If you are here after sunset, they have an autumn light up too.

3. Bishamon-do

A little secluded in the eastern area of Kyoto, there are two photo spots in Bishamon-do: the staircase leading to the temple and the inner part of the temple itself. To enter the temple, it costs 500yen. However, the surrounding road leading to Bishamon-do is actually also quite a view. The best time to snap a picture here is when the the momiji is already withered, most likely around late November / the first or second of December.

4. Kitano Tenmangu

While usually free for visitors, in autumn Kitano Tenmangu applies a special entrance fee for the momiji garden, which costs 700yen. When I visited the garden in the middle of November, the momiji are start changing – it’s not in a peak colors yet. After walking around the garden, they serve free ocha at the rest area near the exit of the garden.

5. Genkoan 

Another secluded autumn spot that I have visited is Genkoan. Located in the northwest area of Kyoto city, there is only one bus that pass this area: Kyoto city bus no.6. The road leading to Genkoan itself is a very steep road, I would suggest not to ride a bicycle here. To enter Genkoan, a 400yen fee is required. Inside, it feels like entering a Japanese house with two big windows showing the beauty of autumn. Since the big window view can be really crowded, my suggestion is to sit in the edge of the house, enjoying momiji leaves falling. 

Bonus: Miho Museum, Shiga

For momiji hunters who wants to avoid the crowd, this museum is an off-beaten track that worth to visit. Miho Museum is located in Shiga, the neighbourhood prefecture of Kyoto. It costs 1100 yen to enter and one hour and half trip from Kyoto Station. The museum itself is about antique collection from all over the world – but the highlight in the autumn is more about the scenery surrounding the museum. Miho Museum entrance offers a serene ambiance and  a like-no-other architecture. Combine that with autumn colours, it was beautiful indeed.

Enjoy your autumn!

Love,