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It’s no secret that autumn is my favourite time to visit Japan. A period when hillsides turn into a fiery tapestry woven in reds and gold, mornings are crisp and cool, and cosy season begins to set in. Having visited Kyoto in autumn, spring, and early summer, I can attest that the city is at its absolute peak during fall foliage thanks to its abundant gardens, temples, and shrines.

If you’re looking for Kyoto’s autumn foliage, you won’t have to go far. With more than 2,000 shrines and temples dotted across the city, there are hundreds of places filled with rich, autumnal shades from mid-November to early December. Kyoto is a city I keep planning to visit, not least because there are still so many stunning scenes I haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying.

My first visit to Kyoto was for my birthday, and late November was perfectly timed to see the autumn leaves at their peak. At that time of the year, there was nothing better than a day of exploring before returning to my hotel to soak in the deep cypress wood bath at our restored ryokan at SOWAKA.

If you’re planning to visit Kyoto in fall foliage season, then read on to discover some of the best places to see autumn leaves across the city’s plentiful gardens, temples, and shrines.

When is the best time for fall foliage in Kyoto?

While the leaves typically change between mid-November and early December, the last few years have been later than usual. Much like the annual sakura forecast, the Japanese Meteorological Corporation also publishes several Autumn Foliage Forecasts from September until November that predict when both gingko and maple leaves will be at their peak autumn best.

Several forecasts are issued to account for changing weather patterns, showing the colours moving from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. While no one can perfectly predict the best time to visit Kyoto for autumn colours, I would suggest planning your Kyoto itinerary for the second half of November if you want to see autumn leaves. My husband and I celebrated our birthdays in Kyoto and enjoyed beautiful autumn foliage from around 22nd to 26th November.

orange maple leaves with sunlight dappled through.

What types of autumn leaves can you see in Kyoto?

While there are numerous deciduous trees found in Japan, the two that produce the most vibrant colours are the maples and the gingkos. In Japanese, the word for autumn leaves is ‘koyo’ and shares the same kanji characters as the word ‘momiji’ (maple tree). These are often the most coveted, although the vibrant yellow gingko adds another layer to the fall season palette. Maples typically change colour around a week before gingko trees, so you have a good chance to see the overlapping colours if you are visiting in autumn.

Kiyomizu-dera

Perched high in the hillsides overlooking Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s best-known temples. It’s also a great place to see autumn foliage in Kyoto. The grounds of the temple turn shades of saffron and gold, with colours peaking in late November and into early December.

The most popular view is the sea of vibrant red maples below the 13-metre high platform at sunset. It means this temple also comes with crowds that peak in the late afternoon. The view is worth it from the opening hours in the early morning, so don’t feel restricted to a sunset visit.

There are also evening illumination events during autumn at Kiyomizu-dera, which light up the leaves across the temple grounds. This year, the illumination event runs from 22 November to 7 December 2025.

sunset at kiyomizu-dera temple with sun rays in the centre left and a wooden platform overlooking a grove of red maple trees.

Philosopher’s Path

Stretching along a 2km path beside a canal in northern Higashiyama, the Philosopher’s Path is a beloved area for autumnal strolls in Kyoto. Named after Nishida Kitaro, a renowned 20th-century philosopher who would take daily meditation walks in the region, the path connects several prominent shrines and temples. Lined with maples that create a vibrant canopy of orange and red, the area also features several lovely cafes and local stores to visit. I’ll cover specific temples along the route that stand out for their autumn foliage below.

Honen-in Temple

One of the smaller temples located just off the Philosopher’s Path, the moss-covered thatched roof and serene garden make it one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric autumn foliage destinations. Despite its fall appeal, Honen-in isn’t as busy as other temples, giving it an air of rustic tranquility. The vivid red maples peak in mid-to-late November at this temple, but it’s beautiful to visit year-round.

If you’re a photographer, you’ll love Hōnen-in for its contrast of dark wooden structures and brilliant autumn hues. The temple also occasionally hosts small-scale exhibitions of local art or crafts, showcasing works from local artisans. If you’re in search of a calm, lesser-visited Kyoto autumn experience, Hōnen-in remains one of the city’s loveliest spots.

Eikando Zenrinji Temple

Eikandō Zenrin-ji is one of my favourite autumn leaf viewing spots in Kyoto. Known locally as “Eikandō of the maples,” there are some 3,000 maple trees that cover the temple grounds. In autumn, maple leaves reflect in Hojo Pond and dappled sunlight trickles onto the blanket of crunchy leaves gathering.

But, this is one of Kyoto’s much-anticipated autumn foliage spots, so you should expect crowds. From 11 November until 10 December, Eikandō’s autumn illuminations give visitors an opportunity to see the momiji lit up. Easily visited while enjoying the Philosopher’s Path and northern Higashiyama, Eikandō has earned its reputation as one of the best places in all of Japan to enjoy autumn foliage.

Kodaiji Lightscape

Right in the heart of Higashiyama, Kōdaiji Temple is celebrated for its weeping cherry tree, bamboo grove, and spring and autumn illuminations. Blending traditional temple architecture with modern artistic projections, I recommend visiting the temple both day and night to enjoy this experience.

From late October until early December, the temple hosts an illumination and projection mapping event where mesmerising digital art is projected onto its Zen rock garden. What sets this apart from other illumination events in Kyoto in autumn is that Kōdaiji’s event emphasises artistic creativity, making it appealing to both history lovers and modern travellers. You can easily pair Kodaiji Temple with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera as they are 10-minute walk apart.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

While Fushimi Inari Taisha may be renowned for its iconic endless rows of vermilion torii gates stretching up Mount Inari, the vast grounds are also great for leaf peeping. In autumn, there is an additional layer of beauty along the shrine’s pathways that are shaded by glowing red maple and brilliant yellow ginkgo trees. The higher you climb along the trails, the more opportunities as you enjoy the panoramas of Kyoto framed by autumn foliage.

The key to visiting Fushimi Inari without the crowds is to visit really early in the morning or to keep going beyond the first few sections of torii gates where crowds gather. The higher you go, the less people there are.

Nanzen-ji and Tenjuan Temples

Tenjuan is a sub-temple of the larger Nanzen-ji complex, and while often overlooked, it is one of the most enchanting autumn foliage spots in Kyoto. The grounds are comprised of two distinct gardens: a dry Zen rock garden and a pond garden surrounded by lush maples. In November and early December, the pond garden transforms from a lush green space to fiery, bold shades of red and orange.

Tenjuan is also associated with the monk Musō Soseki, a legendary garden designer, and his influence can be seen in the harmony of natural scenery and architecture, a major factor in Japanese gardens. Tenjuan is the perfect addition to a walk along the Philosopher’s Path and is a quieter alternative to Eikandō and Nanzen-ji.

Daigo-ji Temple

Daigo-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of Kyoto's visually stunning temples in the southeastern corner of the city. Known for both its stunning cherry blossoms and wide variety of autumn scenery, it’s worth jumping on the train a few stops to explore. Trails are lined with maples from mid-to-late November, and the highlight is around the Bentendo Hall and pond.

In autumn, Daigo-ji also offers seasonal light-up events, when the pagoda and gardens are illuminated to highlight the enchanting fall colours. In addition to the foliage on display, there are usually cultural exhibitions and tea ceremonies. While the temple is popular with locals, it still isn’t as visited by international travellers as it’s a little further from the city centre but absolutely worth seeing.

Kifune

If you’re looking for somewhere on the outskirts of Kyoto, then venture into the northern mountains of Kyoto. A place where dining platforms are suspended over the river and maples skirt the banks, Kifune is popular in summer but also looks otherworldly in autumn. As it's in the mountains, the leaves tend to change a little earlier than the central Kyoto locations, making it a great choice if fall foliage changes are later than usual.

While you’re in Kifune, don’t miss Kifune Shrine which is dedicated to the deity of water. In autumn, the approach to Kifune Shrine becomes a tunnel of fiery red maples and lanterns that line the stone steps leading to the shrine entrance.

Couple your visit to Kifune with a ride on the Eizan Railway. Taking the train from Demachiyanagi Station, you’ll travel through the famous Maple Tree Tunnel (Momiji Tunnel) to reach Kifune. While I haven’t taken this train in autumn, it was a stunning scene, even wrapped in green in the summer.

Autumn Foliage in Arashiyama

Arashiyama firmly remains one of my favourite parts of Kyoto. Set on the western side of the city among the foothills, the area is home to a wealth of temples, shrines, and gardens that transform into a kaleidoscope of autumnal tones by November.

Too often, people think of Arashiyama only for its bamboo forest and miss many of the cultural and historical highlights of the area. I would recommend spending an entire day in Arashiyama to truly soak up its beauty, and there is plenty to do in the region to skip the overcrowded bamboo forest. Here are some of the best places to visit in Arashiyama in fall.

hills of arashiyama with hozugawa river running through the middle, autumn foliage on the hillsides, and low clouds in the valley. — *View from Arashiyama Park Observation Deck.*

Hozugawa Riverside

Walking along the Hozugawa Riverside is one of my favourite things to do in Arashiyama, and it looks its absolute best during autumn. Towering, twisted maples burn red, contrasted against the bright green-blue river. Whether you walk along the river path, take in the scenery from the Arashiyama Park Observation Deck, or by hopping onboard a Hozugawa River Boat Ride, it is one of the best spots for fall foliage.

An alternative is to take a ride along the river on the Sagano Scenic Railway which runs parallel to parts of the river, but you will need to pre-book your ticket.

Okochi-Sanso Villa

While everyone else mulls around the bamboo forest path, I headed through a wooden gate towards the back of the forest on a whim and found the most stunning autumnal scenes. Ōkōchi Sansō Villa was once the private retreat of Denjirō Ōkōchi, a celebrated Japanese film actor of the early 20th century. The expansive grounds are meticulously designed to highlight seasonal beauty, but autumn is the most magical season here.

I adore the serene atmosphere without the crowds, weaving along the garden paths and taking in fall scenes overlooking Kyoto. The admission fee includes matcha tea and a traditional sweet, served in a teahouse making it the perfect mid-morning break.

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji Temple is the most frequented of Arashiyama’s temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden is designed to integrate Arashiyama’s mountainous landscape, with a large pond and viewing space perfectly framed by maples and the hills. In autumn, this garden becomes one of Kyoto’s most photographed scenes, as fiery red maples and golden ginkgo trees burn bright.

Hogon-In Temple

Hōgon-in is a sub-temple of Tenryū-ji, and one of my favourite gardens in autumn. Embodying the Zen philosophy of harmony between humans and nature, the garden paths are ablaze with colour in fall. While Tenryu-ji doesn’t have any seasonal illuminations, Hōgon-in operates evening illuminations to showcase the glowing maples and reflect them in the garden’s pond, creating a surreal atmosphere. I feel Hogon-in’s quieter atmosphere gives space for contemplation and is suited to slow travellers who want to really soak up their surroundings. Since the temple is closed for much of the year, there is a sense of exclusivity when visiting in autumn, making it Kyoto’s hidden treasures during autumn.

Yusai-Tei Gallery

A visit to Yūsai-tei Gallery was the most expensive autumn leaf spot I visited in Kyoto, but it was absolutely worth it. The gallery serves as both a cultural space and a scenic retreat, perched on a hill beside the Hozugawa River. Operating as a silk dying gallery, it also has seasonal viewings to enjoy the autumn foliage through its portal-like windows that frame the fall leaves.

Hi-gloss tables and water features are strategically placed to amplify the beauty of the autumn leaves, offering ample opportunities for capturing mesmerising photos. You will need to book a ticket in advance for autumn viewings directly through the gallery’s website.

two circular shaped windows showing a view of red maple leaves at yusai-tei gallery in Arashiyama.

Is Kyoto Worth Visiting in Autumn?

It’s a big, heartfelt yes from me. Kyoto is one of the best places to see an abundance of fall foliage in Japan, thanks to the thousands of gardens, temples, and shrines across the city and its surroundings. With numerous illumination events, autumn leaf viewing events, and seasonal cuisine featuring flavours like chestnut and pumpkin, this is one of my favourite recommendations for destinations in autumn.