Japan’s cherry blossoms are famous the world over, but the fall foliage in Kyoto is perhaps even more beautiful. Here’s our guide on how to see the Autumn Colors in Kyoto at their best.
The Takeaway
- Fall foliage season in Kyoto runs from late October to the end of December.
- Colors peak in early December.
- If you arrive early, you can head north into the mountains (Kurama, Takao, etc) to find good colors.
- If you arrive late, you can head south to Uji or Nara to see the colors.
While the cherry blossoms at their peak are almost excessively lovely, even tawdry in their obvious appeal, the fall foliage is a more restrained beauty that grows on you the more you look at it. And, while catching the cherries in peak blossom takes incredible luck (because they only peak for a few days a year), the fall foliage lasts up to two months.
When Is The Fall Foliage In Kyoto?
The leaves start changing in Kyoto sometime in late October. The peak of fall foliage usually comes in early December, and you can usually see colors on the trees until late December. Thus, in an average year, the foliage season in Kyoto lasts from around October 25 to 31 December, with a peak around 10 December.
Keep in mind that you can travel a bit in or near Kyoto to find good colors if you miss the peak in the center of the city. If you arrive too early, you can head up to Kurama or Takao to find trees that are already wearing their fall colors. Likewise, if you come too late, you can head to the south, to Uji, or even Nara, to see trees at their peak color.
Buddha in the leaves near Kurodani Temple in Kyoto © Chris Rowthorn
The Best Places In Kyoto To See Fall Foliage
Kyoto is awash with good foliage spots. Almost every temple, shrine and garden has a few maple trees and other colorful trees scattered about. But, if you want to see some really eye-scorching color, it pays to head to one of Kyoto’s famed fall foliage spots – just don’t think that you’ll have it to yourself, as the Japanese love the fall foliage as much as they love the cherry blossoms (go early on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds).
Tofuku-ji Temple: The ravine on the north side of the compound here, spanned by three different bridges, is carpeted with maples that turn bright crimson in November. The view from the Hojo Garden here is superb in autumn.
Nanzen-ji Temple: The bright maples near the San-mon gate look beautiful above a carpet of moss.
Ginkaku-ji Temple: This is one of Kyoto’s most beautiful gardens and there are plenty of maples here.
Honen-in Temple: The sight of the moss-covered thatched-roof gate here surrounded by crimson maple trees is one of Kyoto’s most iconic fall sights.
Takao: The mountain village of Takao has been one of Kyoto’s most famous foliage destinations for years and with good reason: the mountainsides are festooned with maples.
Okochi-Sanso Villa: This is one of Kyoto’s best gardens and it’s particularly lovely in autumn.
Autumn in Kyoto
Places In Kyoto To See Fall Foliage Away From The Crowds
If you’d like to enjoy the colors without the crowds, try one of these spots:
Shinyodo Temple: The grounds of this superb temple contain several huge maple trees, as well as some fine gingko trees that turn bright yellow in October and November. Sure, some people come here, but not nearly as many as visit the nearby big-name temples.
The Kyoto Gyoen (Imperial Palace Park): This place is huge, so no matter how many people show up to enjoy the colors, it won’t feel crowded.
Kurama-dera Temple: You can enjoy the fall colors from the train as you approach the mountain village of Kurama. Once there, you can walk through lovely forests to reach the mountainside temple. The colors here are usually lovely.
Daitoku-ji: The subtemples here have some wonderful maple trees within their walls and some of them do special openings to coincide with foliage season.
Sento Imperial Palace
Accommodation In Kyoto During Fall Foliage Season
While it’s easier to get rooms in foliage season than it is in cherry blossom season, it’s still a good idea to book well in advance. Keep in mind that Japanese tourists are just as keen about foliage as they are about cherries, thus accommodation can be hard to get in October and November, particularly on weekends.
One thing to keep in mind is that all the main roads in the Higashiyama District (southern and northern) can become crowded during this season. Thus, you might consider staying someplace near Kyoto Station or in Downtown or Central Kyoto. A few good options for the fall foliage season include:
- Cross Hotel Kyoto
In the middle of downtown, this excellent mid-range hotel is within walking distance of northern Higashiyama, which is has the best collection of foliage spots in the city. And, if you don’t feel like walking, it’s five minutes’ walk from the Tozai subway line, which will get you there in a few minutes. I’ve stayed in the corner rooms here and I love the views of the mountains and downtown. - Hotel Resol Trinity
The Resol Trinity is a beautiful midrange hotel that is just steps from the Tozai subway line, which will get you to the foliage spots fast. One of my closest colleagues always stays here and raves about it. - Granvia Hotel Kyoto
Why is the Granvia a good base for exploring Kyoto’s foliage spots? Because it’s within walking distance of Tofuku-ji Temple, one of Kyoto’s best foliage spots, and it also has great transport connections to Northern Higashiyama and Arashiyama, which are packed with foliage spots. Oh, and the rooms are beautiful; the premium level rooms rival those at the top international luxury brands and cost half as much. I stay here when I want to splurge and also need easy access to the shinkansen. - Kyoto Hotel Okura
The Okura is my favorite hotel in Kyoto. It’s located downtown, directly over a subway stop, so you can get to the foliage spots quickly. For a treat, stay in one of the corner rooms. And all the rooms on the east (river) side offer views of the Higashiyama Mountains, so you can do some foliage view right from your room! - Westin Miyako Hotel
If you want to stay literally in the heart of the foliage district, then I recommend the Westin Miyako Hotel. It’s right on the border between the northern and southern Higashiyama sightseeing districts and some of Kyoto’s most famous foliage spots are within a short walk: Nanzen-ji, Eikan-do, Honen-in, Shisen-do and a bunch of secret ones I want you do discover for yourself. Some of my clients have stayed here and they love it – especially the premium tier rooms.
If you can’t find accommodation in Kyoto itself, there are several other options available – see my Where To Stay If Kyoto Is Fully Booked page for full details.
Kyoto Fall Foliage Guide
More Japan Fall Foliage Guides
If you’re exploring Japan beyond Kyoto, see my autumn color guides for the following areas:
- Tokyo’s Best Fall Foliage Spots
- Osaka Fall Foliage
- Nara Fall Foliage
- Kanazawa Fall Foliage
- Takayama Fall Foliage
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Fall Foliage
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
