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2023.11.8
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If you want to avoid crowds, this is the place to go! Kyoto's Autumn Foliage Spots for Those in the Know

[2023] If you want to avoid the crowds, this is the place to go! 9 Autumn Foliage Spots in Kyoto for Those in the Know

Autumn leaves begin to turn beautiful colors as the season deepens. While the classic autumn foliage spots are good, this time we will pick up the maple tree viewing spots recommended by locals. Let us take you on a trip to Kyoto's unique autumn foliage, where you will be captivated by the fantastic scenery of colorful trees in the tranquility of a secluded area.

1.Enjoy the autumn leaves at Myokenji Temple, a secluded temple in the Nishijin district / Kamigyo-ku

Myokenji Temple is located in a quiet residential area about a 10-minute walk from Imadegawa Station. Until a few years ago, the temple was not open to the public, making it a favorite spot for those in the know to view the autumn leaves.
The approach from the main gate to the main hall is flanked on both sides by pine trees and autumn leaves. The four different gardens, including the "Korin Kyokusui no Niwa (Garden of Korin's Watercolor)," which was created based on the works of Korin Ogata, and the "Shikai Shodou no Niwa (Garden of the Four Seas)" with white sand, are not to be missed.

Myokenji Temple

Best time to see/usually mid-November to late November

Autumn Special Viewing "2023 Autumn Special Viewing
Period of visitation: November 18 (Sat) - December 10 (Sun), 2023
Visiting hours/10:00-16:30 (Last entry/16:00)
Entrance fee/800 yen (free for elementary school students and younger)
Autumn Special Viewing "Light Up
Period of visitation: November 18 (Sat) - December 10 (Sun), 2023
Hours: 18:00 - 20:30 (last admission at 20:00)
Entrance fee/800 yen (free for elementary school students and younger)

Myokenji Temple

  • myokenji
  • 514 Myokenji Maecho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 5 minutes on foot from "Horikawa Teranouchi" bus stop
    10 minutes walk from Kuramaguchi Subway Station
    15 minutes walk from Subway "Imadegawa Station"
  • Tel.075-414-0808

2.Enjoy the quiet autumn foliage at Unryuin, a secluded spot in Higashiyama / Higashiyama-ku

Unryuin Temple is a branch temple of Sennyuji Temple, which is a family temple of the Imperial Family.
During the fall foliage season, the view of the picturesque "Shikishi Window" and the Enlightenment Room with its "Window of Enlightenment" and "Window of Lostness" is a delight to the eyes of visitors.

Unryu-in Temple

Best time to see/usually mid-November to late November

Autumn special viewing
Period of visitation: November 11 (Sat.) - December 3 (Sun.), 2023
Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (Reception closes at 16:30)
Admission fee/400 yen
light up
Period / November 18 (Saturday) to November 23 (Thursday), 2023
Hours: Sunset - 21:00 (reception closes at 20:30)
Fee/400 yen

Unryu-in Temple

  • Unryuin
  • 36 Sannaicho, Sennyuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 15-minute walk from Sennyuji-michi bus stop
  • Tel.075-541-3916

3.[Enjoy the changing colors of the trees on the summit of Higashiyama at Shogunzuka Seiryuden (Blue Dragon Hall) / Yamashina Ward

Shogunzuka Seiryuden, the enclave precincts of Seirenin Monzeki, is a popular spot with the Seiryuden Hall, which enshrines the national treasure Ao-Fudo, and a large stage from which visitors can view the entire city of Kyoto.
During the fall foliage season, approximately 220 maple trees change color, and visitors can enjoy the autumn foliage while strolling slowly through the garden.

Autumn leaves of Shogunzuka Seiryuden

Best time/usually late November to early December

Visiting hours/9:00-17:00 (Last entry/16:30)
Admission: Adults 600 yen, junior high and high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 200 yen

Shogunzuka Seiryuden

  • Shogun Tsukasa Ryuden
  • Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Yamashina Ward, Zushiokukachocho 28
  • Short walk from Shogunzuka Seiryuden bus stop
  • Tel.075-771-0390

4.Enjoy the autumn leaves in the beautiful dry landscape garden of "Keishun-in," a well-known temple / Ukyo-ku

Keishun-in Temple was founded in 1598 by Hidenori Tsuda, the second son of Nobutada Oda, and is the pagoda temple of Myoshinji Temple of the Rinzai sect.
In autumn, visitors can enjoy the autumn leaves in Shinnyo-no-niwa and Yon-no-niwa, two of the four gardens designated as national historic sites and places of scenic beauty, as well as in Shoin, a small drawing room that was relocated from Nagahama Castle.

Keishun-in Temple

Best time to see/usually mid-November to early December
Visiting hours/9:00-16:30
Admission fee/500 yen

Keishun-in Temple

  • system
  • Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Ukyo Ward, Hanazonojino Nakamachi 11
  • 5 minute walk from Myoshinji Kitamon-mae bus stop
    7 minute walk from Randen Myoshinji Station
    15 minutes walk from JR Hanazono Station
  • Tel.075-463-6578

5.Enjoy the beautiful garden and autumn leaves at Reikanji Temple, a temple of camellias that is usually closed to the public.

Reikanji Temple was built in 1654 by the Nanzenji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It is also known as the "temple of camellia" because of its large pond garden with camellia trees loved by Emperor Go-Suio.
In autumn, the "Reikanji Maple", as well as other maple trees and maples on the temple grounds, change color and look beautiful with the green of the moss in the garden.

Reikanji Temple

Best time to see/usually mid-November to late November

Autumn Special Viewing - Beautiful garden with green and red autumn leaves and sliding door paintings by Kano School are open to the public.
Period of visitation / November 18 (Sat.) to 30 (Thu.), 2023
Visiting hours/10:00-16:30 (Last entry/16:00)
Admission: Garden, Shoin, and Main Hall: Adults: 800 yen, Elementary school students: 400 yen

Reikanji Temple

  • kanji used for sound equivalence
  • 12 Goshonodan-cho, Shikagaya, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 3 min. walk from bus stop "Kami-miyanomae-cho".
    5 min. walk from Kinrin Shako-mae bus stop.
  • Tel. 075-771-4040

6.Beautiful autumn leaves adorn the approach to Sagimori Shrine in Shugakuin / Sakyo-ku,Kyoto

Sagimori Shrine was built at the foot of Mt. Hiei in the Heian period (794-1185) and reconstructed in 1689 at its current location, a forest where herons, messengers of the gods, were said to have gathered.
The charm of this area is that visitors can enjoy strolling throughout the four seasons, including the changing leaves in autumn, the mountain cherry blossoms in spring, and forest bathing in early summer.

Sagimori Shrine

Best time to visit: Mid-November to early December
Reception desk at the shrine office/around 9:00-17:00
Free to visit the precincts

Sagimori Shrine

  • shrine built to a guardian deity of pregnant women, newborn babies and one's birthplace
  • 16, Shugakuin Miyanowaki-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 13-minute walk from Shugakuin Station on the Eiden Line
    12 minute walk from Shugakuin Eki-mae bus stop.
  • Tel.075-781-6391

7.View the autumn leaves by the water at Miyake Hachimangu Shrine, surrounded by nature in Rakuhoku / Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Miyake Hachimangu Shrine, known as a guardian deity of children, is a popular spot for viewing the autumn leaves. Visitors strolling in the rich nature of the northern part of Kyoto will be enchanted by the autumnal hues of the shrine grounds. The best place to enjoy the autumn leaves is by the pond with a fountain.

Miyake Hachiman Shrine

Best time/usually late November to early December
Prayer reception 9:00-15:00
Shrine office reception 9:00-16:00
Free to visit the precincts

Miyake Hachiman Shrine

  • Miyake Hachimangu
  • 22 Miyakecho, Kamitakano, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 3 minutes on foot from Eizan Electric Railway "Hachiman-mae Station"
    Immediately from the bus stop "Hachiman-mae"
  • Tel.075-781-5003

8.Passing through a brocade tunnel at Oharano Shrine, which Murasaki Shikibu also revered as a guardian deity / Saikyo Ward

Of the thousands of Kasuga shrines in Japan, [Oharano Shrine] is said to be the first to become a branch shrine.
In autumn, the precincts of the temple are dyed red with autumn leaves, and visitors can walk through a tunnel of brocade. The scenery of the pond, which was modeled after the Sarusawa Pond in Nara at the time of its construction, has become a hot topic on social networking sites because of its resemblance to Monet's famous painting "Water Lily Pond and Japanese Bridge".

Oharano Shrine

Best time to see/usually mid-November to early December
Shrine office reception / 9:00-17:00
Free to visit the precincts

Oharano Shrine

  • Ohara Shrine
  • 1152 Minamikasugacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 8 minute walk from Minami Kasugacho bus stop
  • Tel.075-331-0014

9.Shojo-ji Temple, where Saigyo Hoshi was ordained, has a beautiful contrast between the Uragan Kannon and the autumn leaves / Saikyo-ku, Kyoto

The temple is also known as the temple where Saigyo Houshi, a well-known poet and monk, was ordained [Shojo-ji Temple].
The precincts of Shojo-ji Temple, also known as "the temple of flowers," are beautiful with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall, offering a view that changes from season to season. The Uran Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) enshrined in the pond adjacent to the Fudo Hall contrasts wonderfully with the autumn leaves hanging in front of it.

Shojiji Temple

Best time to see/usually mid-November to early December
Visiting hours/9:30-16:00
Admission fee/400 yen

Shojiji Temple

  • shojiji
  • 1194 Oharano Kasugacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 20 minutes on foot from the bus stop "Minami Kasugacho"
    About 30 minutes by car from "Kyoto Station"
  • Tel.075-331-0601
*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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