Japan: Best Autumn Color Spots near Kyoto

Note that this article was written before the Pandemic, there are some changes found in this year (i.e., 2023):

• Shops on Sannenzaka (三年坂)/ninenzaka (二年坂) were closed at 6:00 pm when I visited on 05/11/2023

There are many places in Japan are good for autumn-color viewing.  Kyoto is one of the tourist's choices.  To view autumn colors, the timing is everything.  Leaves normally change colors from mid-Nov to early-Dec in Kyoto area.  Be warned that heavy rain may ruin the colors easily.  The good news is that December in Kyoto is the driest month on average.

Autumn Color Spots

Based on japan-guide.com, the best 5 spots to view autumn colors in Kyoto are:

1 Tofukuji (東福寺)  Mid to late November Usually best in the second half of November, Tofukuji Temple displays some of Kyoto's most spectacular autumn foliage. The views of and from the Tsutenkyo Bridge are particularly impressive, and the temple gets very crowded.

2 Arashiyama (嵐山)  Late November to early December Arashiyama is a district at the outskirts of Kyoto. The forested mountains in the background and the trees on the grounds of Arashiyama's temples usually turn colors in the second half of November.

3 Kiyomizudera (清水寺)  Late November to early December The highly popular Kiyomizudera is also a spectacular autumn color spot. The trees around the temples large wooded stages usually turn red in the second half of November.

4 Eikando (永觀堂)  Late November to early December With their abundance of autumn colors, the temple grounds of Eikando are another of Kyoto's most popular koyo spots. It is one of several temples that offer special illumination opening hours in the evenings.

5 Yoshiminedera (善峯寺)  Mid to late November Similar to Kiyomizudera on Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama 東山),Yoshiminedera is a temple on the slopes of Kyoto's western mountains (Nishiyama 西山) with nice views over the city and beautiful autumn colors.

But, the rankings could be different based on different opinions.  For example, based on Japanesquest, its top 5 rankings are a bit different from the above.  However, it also provides the night viewing rankings.  So, do check the video out below.^[16]

Figure 1.  Eikando (永觀堂 in Higashiyama)

Kyoto Walks and Itineraries

• Higashiyama District (東山) 
• Kiyomizudera (清水寺)
• Sannenzaka (三年坂)/ninenzaka (二年坂) shops
• The shops usually open relatively late (around 10am) and close relatively early (around 5pm)
• Kiyomizudera is super-crowded most of the time, but Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka don't usually get super-packed on regular weekdays.
• Yasaka Pagoda
• Yasaka Shrine
• Maruyama Park (円山公園)
• Gion (祇園)
• It is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain
• See the route details here
• Along the old canal
• .Local scholars call the little alley flanking the canal "Philosopher's Path"
• See the route details here
• Northern Kyoto Half Day

• Southeastern Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社;  video) 
• It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.  However, read this etiquette guidelines before you head for it.^[33]
• Tofukuji Temple | (東福寺) 
• Tofukuji is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors.
• Arashiyama  (嵐山) Full Day 
• Monkey park (see this video)
• Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street 
• Togetsu-kyo Bridge (渡月橋)
• Bamboo forest
• Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道, also known as the Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko)
• See the route details here and here
• Ohara Area (大原) 

Figure 2.  Jojakkoji Temple (常寂光寺 in Arashiyama)

References

1. Best Autumn Color Spots (main source of this article)
2. Access and Transportation (Kyoto)
3. Narita Airport to Kyoto (route search)
• The best way to get to Kyoto is by taking the Narita Express to Tokyo station and transfer there to the Shinkansen
4. Japan Rail Pass
5. Japan Rail Group
• 7 days 62,950 YEN 
• 14 days 81,870 YEN
6. Visa requirements
7. Kyoto: Annual Weather Averages
8. Kyoto (Wikitravel)
9. AVERAGE MONTHLY SNOW AND RAINFALL IN KYOTO (MILLIMETER)
10. Suggested Kyoto Itineraries and Side Trips (good)
11. Japanese Guest Houses (Ryokan reservation) 
12. japanican.com
13. Official website of Koyasan (高野山)
14. Kyoto Walks (JNTO; good)
15. Sento (銭湯) Guide (Kyoto)
• Kurama Onsen
• Tenzan No Yu
• May need to bring an own towel
• http://www.day-onsen.com/area26.aspx (in Japanese)
• http://www.chikara-u.com/ (in Japanese)
16. 5 Places to See the Fall Colors of Kyoto! | Video Japan Guide  (video)
17. 10 Best Places to Visit in Kyoto! | Video Japan Guide  (video)
18. Public toilets in Japan
• "Public toilets are usually readily available all over Japan, and can be found in department stores, supermarkets, book stores, CD shops, parks, most convenience stores, and in all but the most rural train stations."
19. Hyperdia (good)
• "HyperDia" is a service which offers the route and the timetable of the railway and the aviation of Japan.
20. Enjoy Kyoto-style Vegetarian Cuisine!
• shojin ryori (精進料理)—Buddhist cuisine
• obanzai (おばんざい) —Obanzai cooking heavily relies on vegetables and seafood, prepared simply.
21. Kyoto Dream Trips (photos)
22. Tips: Traveling in Japan (Travel for a Purpose)
23. Cultural Immersion: Experiencing a Traditional Market in Kyoto (Travel for a Purpose)
24. Rail Passes for the Kansai Region (important)
• A myriad of tickets and rail passes are available to help tourists save some money
25. Benefits of Kansai Thru Pass (2 days / 3 days)
• Discounts at Ryoanji Temple, Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, etc.
26. Arashiyama in Kyoto Tour! - Video Japan Guide (video)
27. The four seasons in Kyoto(Japan), Autumn leaves【四季の京都、秋・紅葉】 (video)
28. Hotels (Japanology on Youtube; video)
29. Kyoto Travel: Visitng North-Western Area (Travel for a Purpose)
30. Kyoto Travel—Visiting Ohara for Autumn Colors and Moss Garden  (Travel for a Purpose)
31. Weather forecast (Japan Meteorological Agency)
32. Kyoto 14 day weather forecast, Japan 
33. Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)—Personal Experience  (Travel for a Purpose)