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Lots of you already know that I used to stay in Kyoto. What you may not notice is that in 2018, three years earlier than I name the town my residence, I did a take a look at run: I booked out every week in one among my favourite ryokan in late November, and immersed myself within the metropolis’s autumn colours.
This journey not solely tipped me towards selecting Kyoto as a base once I later determined to stay in Japan and examine 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, the place are you able to see fall colours in Kyoto? All over the place—the town is awash in them—however the locations I’m about to listing 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 crimson maples and vibrant yellow ginkgoes—till November 20, and even later. So in the event you’re planning a visit to Kyoto in October and even the primary half of November, you could need to rethink, not less than if seeing autumn coloration is a precedence for you.
As a basic rule, I’d say that it’s higher to be “late” than early. In case 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. In case you arrive after the height has began, nonetheless, you possibly can anticipate the colourful leaves to remain on the timber for not less than every week or two. And even when some (or most!) have fallen, this creates its personal enchanting autumn scene!
The Greatest Locations to See Fall Colours in Kyoto
Daigo-ji
For my cash, Daigo-ji is essentially the most stunning place to see autumn colours in Kyoto. Particularly, the Benten-do pagoda (which is situated about quarter-hour previous the principle ticket gates) is particularly gorgeous, rising over a pond that’s surrounding by maple timber. To get right here, journey the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line to Daigo Station, then stroll or take the shuttle bus.
Arashiyama
Relatively than one particular place, the Arashiyama district hits many alternative factors relating to the place to see fall colours in Kyoto. Whereas particular sights like Tenryu-ji temple and Okochi-sanso Villa provide apparent charms, you may additionally really feel enchanted merely strolling alongside the Katsura River, whether or not you achieve this mindlessly, or to Daihikaku Senko-ji, the temple featured in the principle picture of this put up.
Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji
Positioned on the southern finish of the Thinker’s Path (itself one among 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. In case you don’t thoughts staying up late, be sure to return to Eikan-do at night time, when illuminations happen each night between mid-November and early December.
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 crucial crowded locations you possibly can go to presently of yr. Merely attending to the principle commentary deck requires pushing via crowds of individuals, to say nothing of how taxing it is perhaps 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 situated south of Kyoto Station, albeit towards the western entrance of the town, relatively 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’s sufficient autumn goodness in Kyoto to spend every week (and even longer) simply within the metropolis heart! Nevertheless, 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 below 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 mistaken! Osaka Fortress specifically is spectacular.
- Koyasan: In case 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, notably amid the temples of Higashiyama and in Arashiyama, the place tree-covered mountains towering above the thundering Katsura River. Moreover these fashionable vacationer districts, you possibly can take pleasure in autumn leaves on Kyoto’s periphery, akin to at Daigo-ji temple within the metropolis’s southeast.
What coloration are the leaves in Kyoto?
Kyoto has all types of autumn leaf colours. Nevertheless, essentially the most stunning ones are the deep crimson momiji (maple) leaves, and the intense yellow ginkgo leaves. In some components of Kyoto, whole forests appear to blaze in hues of crimson and yellow, notably as you stroll via them and lookup.
Is Kyoto crowded in November?
Over the last two weeks of November, Kyoto is not less than as crowded as it’s over the last 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 marvel folks flock from far and extensive to benefit from the season?—it is best to put together your self for it.
The Backside Line
The place are you able to see fall colours in Kyoto? I like to recommend exploring in several components of the town, in an effort 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—not less than three full days—in an effort to pause and really benefit from the change of seasons, versus merely hopping from spot to identify. Need assistance placing collectively the final word autumn journey in Kyoto, and all through Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary in the present day!
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