GuideKyoto, Kansai, Japan9 min read
Kyoto in Autumn: Where to See the Leaves
Momiji season, temple by temple
For three weeks each November, Kyoto's maples turn crimson. Our temple-by-temple guide to the best viewing, including the evening illuminations.
Momiji-gari, the leaf hunt
The Japanese have a word for going out to look at autumn leaves, momiji-gari, literally hunting the maples, and nowhere hunts harder than Kyoto. The colour usually arrives in the hills of Takao in early November and reaches the city's temples in the second half of the month, peaking around the last week of November.
The most famous viewing spots are spectacular and crowded. Eikando in the eastern hills has been called the temple of autumn leaves for a thousand years, and its evening illumination, when the maples are lit and reflected in the Hojo pond, is unforgettable. Tofuku-ji has the great Tsutenkyo bridge over a valley of three thousand maples; arrive at opening and you will see it with the morning sun shining through the leaves.
For quieter colour, walk the Philosopher's Path between Eikando and Ginkaku-ji at eight in the morning, or take the train north to the moss garden of Sanzen-in in Ohara.
Kyoto's maples
Our autumn order
- Tofuku-ji at 8:30, before the Tsutenkyo queue builds
- Philosopher's Path on foot to Nanzen-ji
- Lunch of yudofu near Nanzen-ji
- Eikando's evening illumination, from 17:30
Book the evening
About this story
Saki SakuraAuthor
Sakura JourneysPublisher
Comments
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- James O'Connor
Lovely write-up. We added a detour to the viewpoint and it was worth the extra hour.
- Oliver Bennett
Would you still recommend this in the rainy season, or is it better to wait?
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