10 Best Autumn Color Spots in Kyoto

Tofukuji is a Zen Buddhist temple and the head temple of the Tofukuji School of the Rinzai sect. It belongs to the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto (Kyoto Gozan). Tofukuji Temple offers one of the best autumn foliage views in Kyoto, especially from its Tsutenkyo Bridge. The 100-meter-long bridge is surrounded by approximately 2000 maple trees (momiji).

Address: 15 Chome-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0981

The large Buddhist temple complex Eikan-do, also called Zenrin-ji, is the headquarters of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land) Seizan Zenrin-ji sect. It is one of the best places to enjoy the fall foliage season in Kyoto. To highlight its beauty, there is an illumination at night (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm) from November 6th to December 3rd.

Address: 48 Eikando-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8445

Maruyama Park or Maruyama Koen is the oldest public park in Kyoto and a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The park is located near the Yasaka Shrine within the Higashiyama district. Stroll through the park in late November to early December and enjoy the colorful maple trees along the way.

Address: 473 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0071

Kitano Tenmangu is with a history of over 1000 years one of the oldest and most important sanctuaries in Kyoto. During autumn you will witness the changing colors of maple leaves in the Odoi Maple Garden of the shrine. Do not miss the illumination of the 350 maple trees there at night (5:30 pm to 8:00 pm) from November 11th to December 3rd.

Address: 931 Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8386

Kiyomizu-dera or "Pure Water Temple" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous and popular Buddhist temples in Japan. The main hall with its wooden stage hovering 13 meters above ground is a masterpiece of Japanese temple architecture and a tourist photo hotspot. My tip: The scenery gets especially beautiful during the autumn season when the colorful trees surrounding the wooden stage get illuminated (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm) from November 18th to 30th.

Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0862

Arashiyama ("Storm Mountain") is a very popular district in Kyoto for locals and tourists especially during cherry blossom season (sakura) and autumn. It is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The forested mountains surrounding the temples like Tenryu-ji turn into beautiful colors in the middle of November.

Address: Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Kodai-ji Temple is one of the greatest Zen temples in Kyoto, located in the Higashiyama district northeast of the Yasaka Pagoda. The temple complex gets especially beautiful during the autumn season when the colorful trees and buildings get illuminated (5:30 pm to 9:30 pm) from the end of October until the beginning of December.

Address: 526 Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0825

Nanzenji, formerly known as Zenrinji, is a large Zen Buddhist temple complex in Kyoto. It is the superior temple to the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto (Kyoto Gozan) and a nationally designated Historic Site. The temple grounds with its sub-temples like Tenjuan and Nanzenin become a very popular destination in late November to early December to enjoy the colorful trees.

Address: 86 Fukuchi-cho, Nanzen-ji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8435

The Chion-in Temple (which means Monastery of Gratitude) in Kyoto is the head temple of the Pure Land Sect of Japanese Buddhism also called Jodo-shu. The sect has millions of followers. It is an autumn leaf hotspot and especially the Yuzen-en and Hojo Garden on the temple grounds attracts many visitors in late November to early December. You have to pay an entrance fee of 500 yen.

Address: Chion-in 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-8686

Daigoji Temple belongs to the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and these are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The Bentendo Hall, located next to a pond, is the most scenic spot during the autumn season. When the surrounding maple and ginkgo leaves turn in a wonderful red and yellow.

Address: 22 Higashioji-cho, Daigo, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, 601-1325

I have visited Japan nearly every year since 2004. This is my collection of the 100 best moments in my favorite country. Enjoy the pictures and I hope you will start your own journey soon.
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