Kyoto in autumn is simply magical. There is such a vibrant array of colours, combined with the traditional Edo period Gion area, the stunning temples and beautiful surrounding nature, Kyoto fall foliage really packs a punch.
We actually had to delay our Japan autumn trip due to a family emergency and we arrived a full month after we were supposed to be there which actually turned out to be the best time to visit. Autumn in Japan is getting later every year and we found that being there on 22nd November actually gave us plenty of time to see autumn in Kyoto at its peak.
Below I’m going to share a few tips for visiting Kyoto in autumn before I share Kyoto’s best autumn spots - but I do have to caveat that there are hundreds of amazing places to see autumn foliage in Kyoto, you only need to wander around to find them. But I’m going to share some of my favourites based on what we were able to see on our Kyoto itinerary.
Arashiyama Temple
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How to plan the best time to visit Kyoto for autumn
You can read as many articles and blogs about this from people who might profess to know the “best time to visit for autumn season in Kyoto” but really we can only guess as it changes slightly every year.
The best resource is to follow the Japanese Meteorological Corporation’s “Fall Foliage Forecast”. Each year the JMC (Japan’s primary weather forecaster) releases several foliage predictions for over 700 locations in Japan. Usually a first prediction in early September, a second update in early October and then tracking information with updated foliage info throughout the autumn season in Kyoto and the rest of Japan.
You can find the 2024 Japan foliage forecast here.
You can also find a live tracker of foliage updates across the country on their weather and disaster information page here.
Autumn Temple
Autumn foliage types in Japan
If you look at the autumn leaves forecast for 2024, you will see two sets of dates listed. In Japan they track two different stages of the autumn foliage:
Red leaves (maple leaves)
Yellow leaves (ginkgo leaves)
Usually Ginkgo Leaves change just before Maple Leaves, but the 2-3 days difference means you’ll see different foliage colours peak during your visit.
Kodaiji Temple
The best places to see autumn foliage in Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Entry cost: 500 yen / £2.57
This is probably one of the most (if not the most) famous temples in Kyoto. Perched on the hill, high above the Gion old town of Kyoto, this is an extensive temple on the hillside, supported by 13-metre high wooden pillars and surrounded by trees which turn a stunning colour in the autumn.
You can walk from the main entrance, past the pagoda and up to the main hall where the temple’s veranda juts out over the mountainside with spectacular views of Kyoto.
This is a popular spot year round and does get very busy, especially at sunset when the views are a popular place to watch the sun go down.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kodai-ji Temple
Entry cost: 600 yen / £3.09
Again this Buddhist temple one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, however during the autumn, the temple runs a special event in the evenings where the grounds are lit up in the most gorgeous autumn light show - this is only for around 8 weeks each year so it’s absolutely a must-do in Kyoto in fall.
This is a popular event and I highly recommend getting there early just before the doors open. We arrived about 30 minutes after the doors opened and the queue was huge, although it did move pretty quickly so not the end of the world if you arrive later.
Seasonal light show times: 5pm-10pm
Tickets cost:600 yen (same as entrance fee)
2024 autumn opening dates are: 25th October - 15th December
Find opening dates and times here.
Kodai-ji Temple
Nara Deer Park
Entry cost: free
Not technically in Kyoto but a popular, short half-day trip from Kyoto by train.
Of course Nara is famous for Nara deer park, but it’s also an absolutely stunning place to visit near Kyoto in autumn.
Once you arrive at the park, I highly recommend walking further into it. The park is huge and most visitors only visit around near the entrance area but the whole thing is actually 660 hectares! This area includes shrines, temples, the National Museum, hiking and biking trails, market stalls and of course the famous Nara deer roam freely.
By walking further into the park, you not only escape the majority of the crowds, you’ll also find more vibrant autumn foliage and be able to get more colourful photographs of the foliage and the deer without people in the background!
We did Nara as a half day trip and spent about 5 hours exploring the park, town, some temples (Yoshikien Garden in Nara is beautiful in the autumn) and getting food, but if you just want to see the park and deer, you could do it in a couple of hours.
Nara Deer Park
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Entry cost: 500 yen / £2.57
I’m going to say it, this is my favourite place on this list.
I went here originally because it has a great bamboo grove alternative to Arashiyama bamboo grove and is just a short walk from the famous bamboo grove. When I arrived, I was absolutely blown away, not just by the bamboo grove, but also by the unbelievably vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the trees in this temple. This is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kyoto during autumn.
The vibrant reds really contrast with the thousands of Ranken stone statues collected in the middle - this Buddhist temple is an ancient memorial and burial site and these stones have been collected from marked graves and put together in this central memorial place - because this is such a significant memorial temple please be quiet and respectful.
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Arashiyama and Rankyo Gorge
Of course if you’re in the Arashiyama area for the temple listed above, then this whole area is one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Kyoto.
After you’ve walked through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, carry on to Arashiyama Park which has beautiful autumn colours. At the Arashiyama Park Observation Deck, there are incredible views of Rankyo Gorge with the vibrant yellows and oranges contrasting with the blue river below.
Rankyo Gorge
Sagano Romantic Train
If seeing the gorge from the viewpoint isn’t enough, you can actually take a scenic train ride through the Rankyo Gorge while you’re in Arashiyama.
The Sagano Romantic Train departs from Saga Arashiyama Station, follows the river through the gorge and terminates at Torroko Saga Station.
A return trip ticket costs 880 yen / £4.50.
Nanzen-ji Tenju-an Temple
Entry cost: 500 yen / £2.57
Nanzen-ji Tenjuan Buddhist temple is probably my most underrated temple in Kyoto thanks to the stunning koi pond loop that is just breathtaking in the autumn!
Tenjuan is actually one of the sub-temples of Nanzen-ji temple and you can find it on the right of the road, just before you reach the main temple.
It dates from 1339 but was rebuilt after a fire in 1602 and the veranda around the temple is absolutely beautiful. Take the wooden walkway through the moss-covered gardens and the stone stepping stones over the koi pond - magical!
Nanzen-ji Tenju-an Temple
Eikando Temple
Entry cost: 600 yen
This is likely a temple you’ve seen on social media with the pagoda beyond a stone bridge which is surrounded by Kyoto autumn foliage.
Because this is a popular spot, I would suggest arriving early or right before closing if you’re interested in taking photos here.
Beside the famous stone bridge, there is also the famous statue of Buddha looking over his shoulder, there is a stunning pond surrounded by autumn foliage and the wooden temples and verandas are dappled by Kyoto maple leaves. There is also a wooden walkway and stone torii gate surrounded by autumn foliage.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Entry cost: free
Probably the most iconic shrine in Kyoto thanks to the thousands of torii gates that line this mountain trail up the side of Mount Inari.
There isn’t a huge amount of autumn foliage here, but there are a lot of trees on the mountain as you climb the trail and these look really beautiful with the vibrant orange of the torii gates.
Pro tip: go beyond the first lookout point of Kyoto - not many people seem to go further than this and you can get the trail to yourself for peace and quiet as well as great photos.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Ruriko-in Temple
Entry cost: 2000 yen / £10.30
By far the most expensive temple to visit on this list and full disclosure, I’ve not actually been because I didn’t realise you have to make a reservation if you book in the peak autumn season! It’s also a bit further out of Kyoto so you’ll need to take public transport to get there but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Kyoto during autumn.
Rurikō-in Temple is a Buddhist temple famous for its vibrant fall foliage which surrounds the open-sided verandas of the temple. There are also carp ponds and walking trails.
The temple doesn’t open all year round and usually only starts accepting visitors around the end of September. During the peak autumn leaves in Kyoto, you will also need reservations to visit, but visiting before the peak or after does not require a reservation. These dates change every year depending on the peak autumn foliage so you can check their website for this year’s date and times.
Daigo-ji Temple
Entry cost: 1000 yen. £5.15
Another great place to experience fall in Kyoto, this Buddhist temple has a 5-storey pagoda and an iconic red-orange bridge which is stunning when surrounded by autumn foliage.
The grounds are huge and incredibly scenic with autumn trees and rocky paths surrounding a pond and multiple shrines around the grounds. The temple also lights up its grounds during autumn.
Covering an area of 6.6 million square metres, there are different tickets if you’d like to go up the mountain or visit the special exhibitions.
The temple is in some ways more famous for its cherry blossom, during spring the ticket price is higher.
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Temple)
Entry cost: 500 yen / £2.57
This Kyoto temple is most famous for being covered in gold leaf, making the vibrant surreal golden colour really stand out against the bright reds, greens and oranges of the autumn colours behind it and it all reflects into the pond on a clear day.
The crowds are huge in the autumn so I’d recommend going earlier in the day before tours arrive if possible!
Jingo-ji Temple
Entry cost: 600 yen / £3.09
I didn’t actually make it to this temple but I have to put it on this list because if you get the chance to visit - it looks stunning and it’s definitely on my list of places to visit in Kyoto in autumn.
I want to include it because it’s located in the hills above Kyoto (we did another temple and hiking trail in the area which I’ll include next on this list) which is absolutely stunning and such a beautiful change of scenery compared to the busy crowds of Kyoto city.
The hills above Kyoto are absolutely COVERED in autumn colours and the area is definitely one of the best places to visit in Kyoto in October through to early December.
This Buddhist temple is located on Mount Takao and is also home to exhibitions and collections that are considered national treasures of Japan.
The maple leaves are out in full force at this temple with dramatic stone steps lined with vivid red trees, ancient wooden temples shrouded in red and beautiful views across the hillside.
To get here, follow the instructions on Google Maps or on the temple website.
Kuramadera Temple
Entry cost: 500 yen / £2.57 and 200 yen for the cable car
Full disclosure, I came here by accident because I was looking for the Kifune Shrine and I got the two trailheads mixed up but boy, was it a happy accident.
The Kifun shrine hiking trail connects Kifune Shrine and Kuramadera Temple (I’ll go into more detail in my next point) and I was looking to visit Kifune shrine but I will say now that this is one of the best places to see autumn in Kyoto if you don’t mind going out of the city and maybe doing a gentle hike!
We took the train from Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto City to the end of the line - Kurama Station.
From here it was a short walk to the temple entrance, although the temple is actually situated high on the mountainside. If you don’t fancy walking up the HUNDREDS of steps, there is a short cable car funicular which costs 200 yen one way.
Once at the top, you follow the trail through the trees and reach the main shrine with the main deck and viewpoint of the whole valley which was just covered in reds and oranges when we visited and a far more usual view without the crowds you find in Kyoto central.
At this point you can either go back down the way you came, or follow the mountain trail which I’ll go into in the next section.
Kuramadera Temple to Kifune Shrine hiking trail
As I mentioned above, I went to the wrong shrine (I was aiming for Kifune shrine) but discovered there is a hiking trail through the mountainside forest which links Kuramadera temple and Kifune Shrine.
The trail is accessed on the path behind the main shrine at Kuramadera temple and the path, while not paved, is fairly easy to follow. It is uneven with tree roots and towards the end near Kifune shrine there are a lot of steps, so while it’s a fairly easy walk, the ground is uneven and I’m not sure what the condition would be if the ground was wet (we were lucky to visit during a dry spell)
It only took around 45 minutes to walk from Kuramadera to Kifune on the trail and the route through the forest was absolutely stunning, with shrines and temples along the way.
If you’re looking to get outside the city and see something a bit different in the hills above Kyoto, I highly recommend!
Summary: the best places to visit in Kyoto in autumn
I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for what to do in Kyoto in November and December during the peak fall season in Kyoto. The autumn colors in Kyoto really are stunning and absolutely worth experiencing, whether that’s at temples or on hikes or simply around the city - Kyoto really does come alive with vibrant maple leaves and ginkgo leaves.
I hope you enjoy your Kyoto autumn trip as much as we did!
