When do Japanese maple leaves turn red? The best time to view autumn foliage in Japan and 7 must-visit Kyoto spots

Text and photos by /Evangeline-Evan

Today I’m going to introduce the seven must-visit maple viewing spots in Kyoto, Japan. The best time to see the autumn leaves is from mid-November to early December each year. Although it’s quite cold during this period, it’s the perfect time to wear a kimono and take photos in the sea of red leaves—you won’t sweat much. The only downside is that it can be harder to take good photos when there are too many people. But trust me, the maple leaves are absolutely worth seeing. (The numbering doesn’t indicate ranking!)

1. Tofuku-ji Temple

Haha, the numbering really isn’t a ranking—but Tofuku-ji is indeed widely recognized by bloggers and visitors alike as the top maple viewing spot in Kyoto. I’ve even seen bloggers share that they were moved to tears upon seeing the sea of maple leaves here. Just look at the crowds—it’s obvious how stunning it is. One of the must-photo spots is shooting from Tsutenkyo Bridge toward Ogurayama Bridge, but it gets so crowded that it’s hard to find a good angle. The beauty of this place can truly only be appreciated in person.

2. The ethereal Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The misty and otherworldly Kiyomizu-dera Temple is currently under renovation, so you’ll have to temporarily add it to your wishlist. It’s expected to be completed before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so for now, you can enjoy my photos to tide you over XD. When I visited Kiyomizu-dera, there was a light drizzle, and the entire temple was enveloped in clouds, fog, and maple leaves, as if immortals really did live there. This sea of maple leaves felt like the garden of the ancients. Oh my gosh, it was so ethereal—I felt like I could just fly around here (lol). You definitely have to come here to take photos—just make sure you have enough memory because you won’t be able to stop shooting.

3. Riding the Sagano Romantic Train to enjoy the autumn scenery of Arashiyama’s Hozugawa Gorge

This is another must-visit spot. Normally, we can only stroll through the maple leaves on foot, but this time, let the train of time take you on a timeless maple leaf journey (←watched too much TV XD). The advantage of riding the Sagano Romantic Train to view the maple leaves is the stunning backdrop of Hozugawa Gorge paired with the vibrant foliage—the ethereal vibe is definitely no less than that of Kiyomizu-dera. When you see the mountains and valleys covered in maple leaves, accompanied by the sound of the stream, it feels like you’ve been transported back to the happiest and most peaceful moments of your life. There was also a little incident that day—a tengu (mountain spirit) suddenly charged toward me, as if wanting to play, and I almost got scared to tears.

Pro tip: During the maple viewing season, the train tickets are extremely hard to get. Often, you can’t even buy them in advance at the Kansai Airport ticket window and have to purchase them on-site. At the first station, Saga Station, there’s usually a super long queue that might make you want to give up. The recommended strategy is to walk directly to the second station, Arashiyama Station, and start your ride from there. There are fewer people, and the ride is still just as scenic.

4. Tenryu-ji Temple

One spot you absolutely can’t miss when viewing the maple leaves is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tenryu-ji Temple. Aside from being a World Heritage Site, its most notable feature is its famous garden, the Sogenchi Teien. The dry landscape garden design paired with maple leaves, set against the backdrop of the rolling Arashiyama hills, makes the entire garden look like a painting—no matter how you shoot it, it has a unique charm.

5. Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is one of the most prestigious Zen temples in Japan. Even the head priest had to be an outstanding individual with significant cultural influence to hold such a position. Beyond its lofty status, the temple also boasts many breathtaking sights. The Hojo Garden is particularly beautiful, but the most important thing is to climb up to the Sanmon Gate and take in the view from above, then shout “Kekkei (incredible view)! Kekkei!” This is truly a five-star maple viewing spot—with stunning scenery, a relaxing atmosphere, and a large area that doesn’t feel too crowded—very comfortable. Don’t miss it.

After introducing the daytime spots, let me tell you about two night maple viewing experiences.

6. Night maple viewing at Eikando Temple

I’ve shared a bunch of daytime maple leaves—afraid you might get bored, so here’s the heavyweight night maple experience. You absolutely can’t miss Eikando for night viewing. Just look at the crowds to see how popular it is~~ The long lines are all for squeezing into a packed space (lol). We went for the first time, so we obediently lined up on time, but actually, going in a bit later means fewer people and no queue, which is a pretty good strategy. Next time you go, consider not lining up right on time, haha. The highlights at Eikando are the pond and the Kaisen Bridge—they’re perfect for photos because the bridge and maple leaves reflected in the pond are incredibly beautiful. This time, I even managed to capture red maple leaves with a girl in a kimono sitting under an old Japanese umbrella—so gorgeous. Thanks to Otaku W~ Night maple viewing is tricky to shoot, but so worth it, so don’t miss Eikando’s night maple experience when visiting Kyoto.

7. Kokedera Temple (Ginkaku-ji’s neighbor, often called “Kokedera” but officially Saiho-ji; however, based on context, likely refers to Kōdai-ji or similar — but per original text, it's Kōdai-ji (also known as Kōdai-ji Temple))

Kōdai-ji Temple is open from morning until night, and the ticket is only 600 yen — great value.If you have time, you can enjoy everything here with one ticket XDD. During the day, you can see the normal version of the maple leaves, and at night, the magical lighting and bamboo forest come alive—offering even more variety than Eikando XDD. And I personally think Kōdai-ji is even more beautiful than Eikando because it has many dreamy ponds, but unfortunately, our camera back then couldn’t capture them well = =. If anyone goes and takes photos, feel free to share them with me XDD.

Opening hours: October 21, 2017 – December 10, 09:00–22:00, ￥600

After seeing all this, you must be super excited—quickly add these to your wishlist. If you like them, remember to share with your friends.

Evangeline-Evan
Hello, I’m Evan, someone who’s timid and easily scared,
but through independent travel, I’ve slowly found my courage,
and each independent trip has helped me discover a different side of myself.
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