Autumn Colors

Eastern Kyoto

  • Sennyu-ji Temple

    Sennyu-ji Temple stands quietly surrounded by trees. The autumn colors in Gozasho Garden, which is filled with graceful emotion, appear relatively early for Kyoto City, and the colors are widely known for their vividness. Although it is not large, as you walk along the corridor, the garden opens up before you.

    Sennyu-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (until 4:00 p.m. from December through February)
    Address:
    27 Sennyu-ji Yamanouchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-561-1551
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take Keihan Electric Railway to Tofuku-ji Temple. It is a 10-minute walk.
    • • Take the JR Nara Line to Tofuku-ji Station. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    A ravine known as Kinunkei beneath the veranda of Kiyomizu-dera Temple is filled with a sea of autumnal colors. Evening illumination is provided on some days.

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    Open hours:
    The opening and closing times for Kiyomizu-dera Temple vary throughout the year. When there are special openings at night, the gates close for a short time and open again.
    See here for more details:
    http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/location/#OpenHours
    Address:
    1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-551-1234
    URL:
    Access:
    25-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on Keihan Electric Railway.
  • Kodai-ji Temple

    The chisen kaiyu-style garden has a pond with autumn trees planted around it. During the fall leaf season, the area is lit up, creating a magical atmosphere with the bright colors of trees reflected in the pond.

    Kodai-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    Night illumination: sundown to 10:00 p.m. from the end of October until the start of December
    Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
    Address:
    526 Kodai-ji Shimokawara-cho , Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-561-9966
    URL:
    Access:
    Take Keihan Electric Railway to Gion-Shijo Station. It is a 15-minute walk.
  • Nanzen-ji Temple

    When you climb up to Sanmon, one of the three great gates of Japan, the view of red-colored leaves can be enjoyed in 360 degrees. Kabuki fans may be familiar with Ishikawa Goemon's line inspired by this place: "A magnificent view! A magnificent view!" Inside the premises, the combination of the brick aqueduct and fall foliage is a popular place to snap photos because of its old-fashioned feel.

    Nanzen-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    8:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. from December through February)
    Admission ends 20 minutes before closing time.
    Closed from December 28 to 31.
    Address:
    Nanzen-ji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-771-0365
    URL:
    Access:
    Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line to Keage Station. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Eikan-do Temple

    The tree colors of autumn are so prominent here, Eikan-do Temple has been synonymous with autumn leaf viewing since days of yore. There are some three thousand maples on the grounds, which are lit up at night in fall. The temple grounds are on a mountain slope, and one never tires of the expansive premises that can be enjoyed, going up and down the walkways. Eikan-do Temple has an established reputation for beautiful fall colors even in "off" years for fall foliage.

    Eikan-do Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Admission ends at 4:00 p.m.
    Address:
    48 Eikan-do-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-761-0007
    URL:
    Access:
    Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line to Keage Station. It is a 15-minute walk.
  • Shinnyo-do Temple

    Cherry blossom trees, maples, ginkgos and other trees fill the temple approach and the grounds with colors. From beside the well outside the main hall, the trees are red, yellow and green, an unusual lineup of distinct colors. When December arrives, the fallen leaves form a bright red carpet behind the main hall.

    Shinnyo-do Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Admission ends 15 minutes before closing time.
    Address:
    82 Jodo-ji Shinnyo-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-771-0915
    URL:
    Access:
    Take Kyoto city bus 5/32/93/203/204 to the Shinnyo-do-mae bus stop. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Anraku-ji Temple

    Not normally open to the public, Anraku-ji Temple makes a special exception for the foliage viewing season. The colors on the approach are beautiful along the gentle stone stairs. A talk is given on the origins of the temple at the main hall every 30 minutes starting at 10 o'clock each day.

    Anraku-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Address:
    21 Shikagatani Gosho-no Dan-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-771-5360
    URL:
    Access:
    Take Kyoto city bus 5/17/32/93/100/102/203/204 to the Kinrin Shako-mae bus stop. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Bishamon-do Temple

    Located on the side of mountain overlooking the Yamashina basin, Bishamon-do Temple is well known for its weeping cherry blossom trees in spring and the beautifully colored foliage in fall. (And while looking up at the brilliant leaves is wonderful, enjoying them on the ground has a charm of its own, too!) The flagstone approach to the temple is covered with vermillion leaves. Walking along it while listening to the crackle of leaves underfoot makes for a relaxing stroll.

    Bishamon-do Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    (until 4:30 p.m. from December through February).
    Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
    Address:
    18 Anshu Inariyama-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-581-0328
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take the Keihan Electric Railway Keishin Line to Keihan Yamashina Station.
      It is a 20-minute walk.
    • • Take the JR Tokaido Main Line to Yamashina Station. It is a 20-minute walk.
    • • Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line to Yamashina Station. It is a 20-minute walk.

Southern Kyoto

  • Tofuku-ji Temple

    Tofuku-ji Temple is the first place that comes to mind for seeing autumnal leaves in Kyoto. Although the temple was known in the Muromachi era (fourteenth to sixteenth centuries) as a place to see cherry blossoms, the monks cut down the cherry blossom trees due to concerns that admirers would disturb their practice. In their place, maple trees multiplied until they reached the count today of some two thousand. In fall, many tourists come to Tsuten-kyo Bridge, the crossing of which is like crossing a sea of beautiful autumnal leaves. When you stand on the bridge, the colorful leaves completely blanket the ravine, a scene so astounding, it will take your breath away.

    Tofuku-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    April to end of October: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    November to early December: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Early December to end of March: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
    Address:
    15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-561-0087
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take Keihan Electric Railway to Tofuku-ji Temple. It is a 10-minute walk.
    • • Take the JR Nara Line to Tofuku-ji Station. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Kosho-ji Temple

    Alongside the approach that leads to front is a brook with water that sounds like a koto, giving this hill the name Kotozaka. The trees here form a beautiful tunnel of color.

    Kosho-ji Temple
    Open hours:
    5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Address:
    27-1 Uji Yamada, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)774-21-2040
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take the Keihan Electric Railway Uji Line to Uji Station. It is a 10-minute walk.
    • • Take the JR Nara Line to Uji Station. It is a 17-minute walk.

Northern Kyoto

  • Honen-in Temple

    An ancient temple that sits tranquilly on one side of the Philosopher's Walk. When you climb the stone-paved approach, the thatched front gate greets you with mountain village charm. In fall, many people who know Kyoto well come to see the leaves that have fallen on the roof of the simple front gate.

    Honen-in Temple
    Open hours:
    6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Address:
    30 Shikagatani Gosho Dan-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-771-2420
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take Kyoto city bus 5/17/203/204 to the Jodo-ji bus stop. It is a 10-minute walk.
    • • Take Kyoto city bus 32 to the Minamida-cho bus stop. It is a five-minute walk.
  • Manshu-in Temple

    The finest temple in Rakuhoku. On the temple grounds, surrounded by fall foliage, the rock garden is a sight not to be missed. Located next to Daisho-in, the garden represents deep mountains and the ocean, nicely complementing the gentle fall colors. Made of white sand and trimmed rhododendrons, the elegance of the garden is captivating.

    Manshu-in Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Address:
    42 Ichijo-ji Takenouchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-781-5010
    URL:
    Access:
    20-minute walk from Shugakuin Station on Eizan Electric Railway.
  • Sekizan Zen-in Temple

    Sekizan Zen-in Temple is one of the few locations where both kan-zakura cherry blossom trees and autumn colors can be enjoyed at the same time. The approach is covered in colored leaves in a spectacular fashion, and the Seven Lucky Gods, 16 Arhats, and the stone statues of the 33 avatars of Kannon which sit silently on the grounds are colored red and yellow when the leaves fall.

    Sekizan Zen-in Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Address:
    18 Shugaku-in Kaikonbo-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-701-5181
    Access:
    20-minute walk from Shugakuin Station on Eizan Electric Railway.
  • Jisso-in Temple

    Jisso-in is a temple well-known for its yuka momiji (floor maples), the reflections of the trees in the black lacquered floors in fall. The bright, lustrous colors of the leaves have the appearance of an impressionist painting, matching the solemn atmosphere of the temple with their grace. There is a garden pond with a path around it in the chisen kaiyu style, and there are two rock gardens, providing different ways to enjoy the charms of fall foliage.

    Jisso-in Temple
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Address:
    121 Iwakura Agura-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-781-5464
    URL:
    Access:
    20-minute walk from Iwakura Station on Eizan Electric Railway.
  • Eizan Railway Momiji (Maple Tree) Tunnel

    Between Ichihara and Ninose Stations on the Eizan Electric Railway, there is a stretch of about 250 meters with thickly growing trees on both sides called the Momiji (Maple Tree) Tunnel. The railway line is illuminated during the kibune maple lantern event. All lights are turned off and the train runs at a leisurely pace through this stretch to allow passengers to fully enjoy the mystical view from the windows.

    Eizan Railway Momiji (Maple Tree) Tunnel
    Open hours:
    According to the train schedule
    Address:
    Between Shizuichi Ichihara-cho and and Kurama Ninose-cho in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    Interval on Eizan Electric Railway: +81-(0)75-781-5121
    URL:
    Access:
    Between Ichihara and Ninose Stations
  • Sanzen-in Temple

    The expansive grounds include some one thousand Japanese maples, known as yama momiji, and provide many wonderful places to see. The red and yellow trees that spread their branches among the Japanese cedars are stunningly beautiful. The garden, centered around Ojo Gokuraku-in, presents a vivid contrast of green moss and red and yellow tree leaves. During the fall season, seating for tea is provided.

    Sanzen-in Temple
    Open hours:
    March to October: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    November to December: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    December to February: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Address:
    540 Ohara Raiko-in-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefectur > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-744-2531
    URL:
    Access:
    Take Kyoto Bus 16/17/18/19/95 to the Ohara bus stop. It is a 10-minute walk.
  • Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

    Since 2007, the historical earthwork "Odoi" has been open to the general public as a maple tree garden, and has become one of Kyoto's newest attractions for fall foliage. Maples and other trees planted by Sugawara no Michizane in Odoi long ago are filled with the colors of deep crimson and yellow. The Kamiya-gawa River runs through, and the leaves reflect in its surface for a pleasant atmosphere. Evening illumination is provided on some days.

    Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine
    Phone:
    +81-(0)75-461-0005
    URL:
    Access:
    Five-minute walk from Kitano Hakubai-cho Station on the Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway) Kitano Line.

Western Kyoto

  • Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Arashiyama area

    Since the Heian era, many nobles built villas near Togetsu-kyo Bridge, and in recent years, the area has become known as an excellent place to see the fall colors. The colors of the trees in the mountain upstream of the bridge are the best of all.

    Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Arashiyama area
    Open hours:
    Anytime
    Address:
    Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
    Phone:
    Arashiyama Hoshokai : +81-(0)75-861-0012
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Three-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway)
    • • Five-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line.
    • • 12-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line.

Shiga

  • Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

    The leaves of 3000 maples and other trees color the vast precincts of Hiyoshi Taisha beyond its torii gate. The magnificent main building exists in harmony with the great nature surrounding it, and the shrine is well known as a place to enjoy truly resplendent fall colors. During the fall season, festivities include a tea ceremony, traditional plays and evening illumination of the trees.

    Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    Open hours:
    9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Night illumination: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from the middle to the end of November
    Address:
    5-1-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture > Map
    Phone:
    +81-(0)77-578-0009
    URL:
    Access:
    • • Take the Keihan Electric Railway Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station. It is a 10-minute walk.
    • • Take the JR Kosei Line to Hieizan Sakamoto Station. It is a 20-minute walk.