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 its best.
Bishamon-do Fall Foliage – image © Damien DouxchampsWhile 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 October. The peak of fall foliage usually comes in mid-November, and you can usually see colors on the trees until mid-December. Thus, in an average year, the foliage season in Kyoto lasts from 15 October to 15 December, with a peak around 15 November.
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 into the Kitayama Mountains 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.
Eighth bridge of Kyoto Imperial Palace
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:
- Aoi Machiya Stay
- Granvia Hotel Kyoto
- Kyoto Brighton Hotel
- Kyoto Hotel Okura
- Hotel Kanra Kyoto
- Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto
- Hotel Vista Premio (formerly Best Western Hotel Kyoto)
- Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto Ekimae
- Hiiragiya
- Tawaraya
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
- Autumn Colors In Kyoto
- Kyoto Fall Foliage Itinerary
- Kyoto Off-The-Beaten-Track Fall Foliage Itinerary
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
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- 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
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- 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
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
