There are few places in the world where the trees erupt into vivid shades of crimson and gold in the fall season from October to December and none quite compare to the breathtaking beauty of autumn in Kyoto, Japan.
The capital city of Japan gets painted with divine beauty where red maple trees and golden gingko leaves surround the temples, old walkways and modern streets with vivid colours that brings life to the brim before the first drop of snow hits the ground. Japan’s autumn season is quite the sight and one that should be experienced at least once.
But with so much beautiful places surrounding the prefecture, where would you go to witness the beauty of autumn. We’ve rounded out the some of the most amazing viewing places (some that are personally experienced as well) to give you the best autumn spots in Kyoto.
Genko-an temple
Like a still from the Hollywood movie ‘The Last Samurai’, Genko-an temple is the embodiment of Japan’s fall foliage beauty. The bright red colours of Momiji are seen through the temples circular and square windows like a mirror reflecting nature’s crimson hues. Adding to that is Genko-an’s unforgettable history.
While the temple is surrounded by unbridled charm, Genko-an has a more heart-piercing past. It is known for its “bloody ceiling,” which are the remains of floorboards from Fushimi Castle where soldiers loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1598), the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, defended the castle and then killed themselves when they were defeated and surrounded by enemies.
The ceilings in Genko-an is one part of the floorboards where you can still see the blood foot and handprints of some of the 1300 soldiers that committed seppuku to remain honoured rather than be captured by their enemies.
Otagi Nenbutsuji
Whimsical. Fairytale-ish. And breathtakingly gorgeous in the autumn season. Otagi Nenbutsuji is a one-of-a-kind temple unlike anywhere else on the planet. A fascinating history, a talented artistic priest and some works of fate has turned this place into one that fits into a good old fashioned fantasy story.
Come autumn, Otagi Nenbutsuji becomes even more bright and beautiful as it gets surrounded by Momiji trees, painting the whole landscape in red, orange and yellows. To add to its mystical charm, Otagi Nenbutsuji is surrounded by more than a thousand Rakkan statues with different facial expressions making them look like stone trolls that would come alive any minute.
With maple leaves, less crowds and a beautiful atmosphere, this temple is one of the best autumn spots in Kyoto to witness the country’s fall season.
Higashi Honganji
Higashi Honganji is almost unheard of by tourists yet its one of Kyoto’s biggest and most historical temples to exist. Part of political factions, religious ceremonies and a spiritual symbol, Higashi Hongaji is a must visit place for history lovers and for it 400 year old miracle golden tree (gingko in local dialect).
This centuries old gingko tree is believed to have saved Higashi Honganji when the temple caught fire. It is said that the leaves of the tree rain down on the temple, wet with water, and put out the fire saving this piece of history and the architecture of the beautiful temple.
You can see this beautiful tree in all its golden glory during late November to early December when autumn in Kyoto is at its fullest.
Nijo Castle
This amazing castle is renowned for two things – its history and the nature surrounding it. Nijo Castle is one of the places in Kyoto where you can experience all four seasons of Japan when the castle’s garden takes on different personalities throughout the year.
Come autumn, the vast imperial gardens of the castle turns into oranges, yellows and reds with green trees complementing them in the background. Momiji leaves can also be witnessed here. During autumn (usually around October), the castle holds their annual NAKED autumn festival where there are art displays, lightshows and night illuminations.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Few places rival the breathtaking drama of Kiyomizu-dera of Japan’s fall foliage and that’s why you will find a ton of tourists who refuse to stop taking pictures because seeing the beauty just isn’t enough.
Perched on a hillside with a panoramic view of the city, the temple’s iconic wooden terrace peeks above a sea of crimson and gold. The hillside bursts into fiery color with Japanese maple trees turning deep red, burnt orange, and honey yellow. What makes Kiyomizu truly unforgettable is the contrast.
Those delicate, vibrant leaves set against the stoic structure of a centuries-old temple is the epitome of Japan’s scenery. Visit during the evening illumination in November, and the entire scene transforms into a glowing orange scene.
Kifune Shrine
Tucked into the northern mountains of Kyoto, Kifune Shrine offers a more mystical autumn experience with lesser crowds and quieter times. This Shinto shrine, dedicated to the god of water, is accessed via a gentle, lantern-lit stone path lined with towering trees and drenched in fall color. Almost like it came straight out of an anime or a fantasy story.
Its the walk towards the shrine that makes it worth visiting in autumn. Under a canopy of golden ginkgo and red maple, with leaves softly blanketing the ground. Because Kifune lies off the main tourist path, it remains sacred with fewer tourists and mostly devotees visiting the place. The contrast of brilliant foliage with the vermilion torii gates and ancient shrine buildings makes this a peaceful and soul-stirring destination.
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Located close to the Arashiyama Bamboo forest and a 10 minute walk from Otagi Nenbutsiji, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a place where respect is given and the surrounding nature makes it a beautiful final resting place for the souls sleeping here.
Adashino Temple isn’t your day-to-day normal shrine. It’s a graveyard that was built out of kindness by a monk called “Kukai”. Adashiono has created for the people who died here without families, without proper burial and their bodies left to rot. Kukai established the place to bury these people and give them a proper resting place and a ritual farewell.
Later, Honen (1133-1212), the founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, transformed the burial grounds into Adashino Nenbutsuji temple help the souls be re-born in a paradise-like realm.
The temple is known for its t000 grave stones, each honoring souls who died without family or graves. In fall, these stones are surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of autumn with red and amber bursting with a vibrance that reflects the kindess, prayers and protection this place has offered its resting residents. Unlike other places in Kyoto, the autumn folliage here is a combination of life, death, and nature’s cycle.
Visitors and residents here walk quietly, respecting the dead while taking in the beauty of the autumn leaves. Adashino temple holds an Obon festival called a “Sento-Kuyo” memorial ceremony, on August 23rd and 24th every year. During this event, over 1,000 candles are lit around the 8,000 stone statues and lanterns are placed on the temple grounds, creating an ethereal atmosphere to honor the spirits of the dead.