Attention if you want to take beautiful photos: A lazy guide to Kyoto’s “9 no-photo spots”

▲ Houkou-in is a famous Kyoto spot for autumn leaves. (Photo / fromthe official website of Houkou-in)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

A famous Kyoto attraction, Nishiki @Koji, recently made headlines as authorities considered banning all tourist photography there due to visitors blocking pathways and creating noise that disturbed local residents. Although not yet officially enforced, in reality, many well-known sites in Kyoto have long prohibited general photography by visitors. Below is a list of 9 such no-photo zones, including some that “prohibit photography during the autumn foliage season.” With Japan’s red leaf season approaching, travelers should take note when heading out for autumn leaf viewing.

▲ Shosho-in is famous for its maple leaves framing the engawa (veranda). (Photo / fromthe Shosho-in Facebook page)

1. Shosho-in, Iwakura
Iwakura Shosho-in is a noted Kyoto destination for viewing autumn foliage. Its engawa covered with bright red maple leaves offers an exceptionally photogenic view, and many tourists flock here for photos. However, the interior is dimly lit, making it difficult to get good shots.

But many visitors set up tripods in order to capture the beautiful indoor maple views, often blocking other guests’ passage. As a result, the temple has banned indoor photography of the maple leaves, though you can still take photos of the autumn foliage in the garden from outside.

▲ Hosshō-ji’s Byakugō-in. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

2. Byakugō-in
Byakugō-in, also a popular spot for autumn leaves, once banned photography for about a year due to conflicts among photographers. While photography is now allowed again, tripods are not permitted, and photography may be restricted during peak foliage season depending on the situation—so visitors planning a trip should stay alert.

▲ The cherry blossoms outside Sekiho-ji are stunning. (Photo / from the Sekiho-ji official website)

3. Sekiho-ji
Sekiho-ji is best known for its 500 Rakan statues surrounded by a large bamboo grove. The majestic stone figures create a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. However, many visitors have trespassed into the bamboo forest to take pictures of the statues, damaging the surrounding landscape. For this reason, photography of the 500 Rakan is now prohibited.

▲ Daigo-ji is one of Kyoto’s most beautiful spring spots. (Photo / fromthe Daigo-ji Facebook page)

4. Sanboin, Daigo-ji
Daigo-ji is a must-visit location for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto. The Sanboin garden, originally designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself, was once heavily impacted by poor visitor etiquette. As a result, photography is now completely prohibited in the garden and the Omote Shoin (main reception hall), leaving visitors to admire the scenery only with their eyes and keep it in their memories.

5. Dizoin
Known as the “Bamboo Temple,” Dizoin is surrounded by a vast bamboo grove, which gave it its name. It’s also famed for being where the Zen monk Ikkyu once lived in his youth. The temple’s karesansui (dry landscape) garden featuring 16 stone Rakan statues is another highlight. However, photography is now entirely prohibited in the garden where the 16 Rakan are located.

6. Manshu-in Monzeki
Located at Ichijoji, the renowned Manshu-in Monzeki houses many national treasure-level cultural assets and is also a popular autumn foliage spot. Due to the many important cultural relics in its collection, photography is completely banned inside the temple buildings. One of these relics is a so-called “ghost painting,” which legend says could bring misfortune if photographed. However, outdoor areas such as the garden remain open for photography.

▲ Houkou-in is a famous Kyoto spot for autumn leaves. (Photo / from the Houkou-in official website)

7. Houkou-in
Bao Kuang Yuan is a hidden gem for maple leaf viewing in the Arashiyama area. The garden features layers of maple forests that showcase the unique poetic beauty of Arashiyama in autumn. Although the temple is not large, it still attracts many tourists during the red leaf season.

Currently, the temple prohibits visitors whose primary purpose is photography from entering—even those who only intend to stay at the entrance but carry tripods or larger photography equipment will be turned away. Inside the temple, the use of tripods is not allowed, but general handheld small cameras are permitted, and photography is still allowed.

8. Myōkaku-ji Temple
Myōkaku-ji Temple is famous for its association with Oda Nobunaga and is another hidden maple-viewing spot in Kyoto. Along the corridor, you can see a whole row of maple forests, offering a unique experience. Although photography is not entirely prohibited, entry purely for photography purposes is not allowed, and there are relevant notices posted within the temple.

▲The western courtyard’s riverbed at Sennyu-ji Temple is a representative scenic highlight. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

9. Sennyu-ji Temple
Sennyu-ji Temple is located deep in Arashiyama. In the past, this area was a common burial ground in Kyoto. Although it is also a maple-viewing spot, it is more famous for the “Western Courtyard’s Riverbed,” which has 8,000 stone stupas and stone Buddha statues.

The Western Courtyard’s Riverbed is primarily dedicated to the veneration of the deceased without kin, making it a well-known spiritual site in Arashiyama. Therefore, while photography from the outside looking in is allowed, taking photos inside the Western Courtyard’s Riverbed is prohibited. Additionally, the annual Thousand Lantern Memorial Service is held here, and photography is also not allowed out of concern that it might capture “spirits.”