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Kyoto is the place when speaking of elegance! The beautiful fall leaves that brings historical shrines and temples out is just exquisite. Although there are uncountable places where you can experience the foliage in Kyoto, therefore it is hard to decide which one to go. But here it is the Top 15 famous places for autumn leaves in Kyoto that writer picked that never let travelers down! Please take a look and visit these areas while the foliage is still beautiful. (Information is as of the article has published. It is recommended to visit websites for further information in beforehand.)
15.大原三千院 Ohara-Sanzenin
The #15 is “大原三千院 Ohara-Sanzenin”. It is one of famous places you can see fall leaves, which located on outskirts of Kyoto. The contrast between red maples, moss, and cedar is just so beautiful that it is recommended for travelers looking for a quiet atmosphere. Avenue of cedars is also a great place to experience the foliage.
■Detailed Information
Address：540, Ohara Raikoincho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：From JR Kyoto Station take Kyoto Bus bound for Ohara. It takes about an hour. 10 minutes walk from the Ohara bus stop.
TEL：075-744-2531（三千院 Sanzenin）
The best season：Mid November to late November
14 実相院 Jissoin
#14 is “実相院 Jissoin”. It is where you can see the foliage as beautiful as painting that drew heaven. More than anything, autumn leaves that reflects on the floor, which called “Yuka-Momiji” is mystical and beautiful. Of course this exquisite view can be enjoyed during cheery blossom and fresh green leaves season too. Photograph cannot be taken at “Yuka-Momiji”, so please visit and enjoy with your own eyes!
■Detailed Information
Address：121, Iwakura Aguracho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Karasuma Line of Kyoto City Subway Kokusai Kaikan Station
TEL：075-781-5464（岩倉実相院 Iwakura Jissoin）
The best season：Mid November to late November
13 下鴨神社 Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
#13 is “下鴨神社 Shimogamo-jinja Shrine”. This historical shrine that officially called “賀茂御祖神社 Kamomioya-jinja Shrine” is one of famous its for foliage, therefore many people come and visit during the season. Especially “Tadasuno Mori” where fall leaves spreads fully before you is one of leading places for it.
■Detailed Information
Address：59, Shimogamo Izumigawacho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：City bus #4 or #205 from Kyoto Station to Shimogamo-jinja Shrine (or Tadasuno Mori)
TEL：075-781-0010（下鴨神社 Shimogamo-jinja shrine）
The best season：Late November to early December
12 貴船神社 (Kifune-Jinja shrine)
#12 is “貴船神社 Kifune-jinja shrine”. As anyone knows that 貴船神社 Kifune-jinja shrine” is ranked higher in sightseeing spots, but it is also famous for autumn leaves. It is recommended to explore slowly by enjoying the “red maple tunnel” where you can see on the way to貴船神社Kifune-jinja shrine via Eizan electrical railway to the night illumination. There is an hour trail course and it is a place where gathered all the Kyoto’s elegance!
■Detailed Information
【貴船 Kifune】
Address：180 Kurama Kibunecho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: 30 minutes walk from Kurama Line of Eizan electrical railway Kifuneguchi Station
TEL：075-741-4444（Kifune Tourist Association）
The best season：Mid November to late November
11 源光庵 Genkoan
#11 is “源光庵 Genkoan”. The view of autumn leaves from round “enlightenment window” and square “delusive window” are stunning. This unique solemn and enlightenment place can only be experienced in Kyoto. It is also recommended to visit famous autumn leaves spots in Takagamine area, which has Joshoji temple, Koetsuji temple, and many other temples and shrines.
■Detailed Information
【源光庵 Genkoan】
Address：47, Takagamine Kitatakagaminecho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：City Bus #6 Line. 1 minute walk from City Bus Stop “Takagamine Genkoan-mae”
TEL：075-492-1858（源光庵 Genkoan）
The best season：Mid November to late November
10大徳寺高桐院 Daitokuji Koutokuin
※It is closed until Sunday, March 3rd, 2019 due to restoration.
#10 is “大徳寺 高桐院 Daitokuji Koutokuin”. It is one of unique places in Kyoto that of course it is beautiful when the leaves changing color, but also the view of red path that made with fallen red maples is magnificent. There is a good-old hot spring close to 高桐院 Koutokuin, it is a great place to get refreshed all of your daily hard work.
■Detailed Information
【大徳寺高桐院 Daitokuji Koutokuin】
Address：73-1, Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Take a bus from Karasuma Subway Line Kitaoji-Horikawa Station to “Kitaoji Station”. 10 minutes walk from the bus stop.
TEL ：075-492-0068（高桐院 Koutokuin）
The best season：Mid November to late November
9 清水寺 Kiyomizudera temple
#9 is “清水寺 Kiyomizudera temple”. It is widely known as the famous for its foliage not just during cherry blossom or fresh green leaves season. It is great to view the temple from the side at night when it is lighted up, but also it is fantastic to see the spectacular view from the temple too. Please be aware that you may not see the part of “Kiyomizu no butai (the stage of Kiyomizu) due to rethatching the cypress roof of main building of the temple.
■Detailed Information
【清水寺 Kiyomizudera temple】
Address：294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Take City Bus from Keihan Main Line Gion-Shijō Station to “Kiyomizu-michi”. 10 minuets walk from the bus stop.
TEL：075-551-1234（清水寺 Kiyomizudera temple）
The best season：Late November to early December
Temple of Kannon that stands on clear water
8 哲学の道 Tetsugaku no michi (The Philosopher’s Path)
#8 is “哲学の道 Tetsugaku no michi (The Philosopher’s Path)”. The path stretches over 2km along the canal. It is a famous place for autumn leaves that you could enjoy the elegance of Kyoto with stone pavement. The foliage that spreads in front of you is just amazing. There are many sightseeing spots such as café, Ginkakuji, and many other temples and shrines when you take a walk of “Tetsugaku no michi (The Philosopher’s Path)”.
■Detailed Information
【哲学の道 Tetsugaku no michi (The Philosopher’s Path)】
Address：Sakyo-ku Jodoji Ishibashi-cho ～ Nyakuouji-cho, Kyotoshi, Kyoto
Access：Head north after getting off at City Bus Ginkakuji-michi stop
TEL：075-343-0548（Kyoto Tourist Information Center）
The best season：Mid November to late November
7 知恩院 Chionin
#7 is “知恩院 Chionin”. This place is very famous for its foliage and it is also fantastic to visit at night when it is all lighted up. You will defiantly forget the time when seeing the autumn leaves reflecting the pond while having no unnecessary lights. Illumination can be enjoyed from 5:30pm to 9:30pm (last admission is 9:00pm).
■Detailed Information
【知恩院 Chionin】
Address：400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyotoshi
Access：14 minutes walk from Keihan Main Line Gion-Shijō Station
TEL：075-531-2111（Chionin Main Office）
The best season：Mid November to early December
6 高台寺 Kodaiji temple
#6 is “高台寺Kodaiji temple”, which famous place for cherry blossom and also autumn leaves. To speak about the beautifulness of foliage the illumination is a must. The spectacular view that always ranked higher in illumination events in Kyoto will take your breath away.
■Detailed Information
【高台寺 Kodaiji temple】
Address：526, Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Take #206 Line City Bus. 5 minuets walk from Higashiyama-ani
TEL：075-561-9966（高台寺Kodaiji temple）
The best season：Mid November to early December
5 高雄（神護寺）Takao (Jingoji temple)
#5 is “高雄（神護寺） Takao (Jingoji temple)”. It is a famous place for autumn leaves and every year many travelers come and visit to enjoy the view. It is because here has superb view that can be enjoyed any season, so it is a place where you want to come and visit in spring not just in autumn.
■Detailed Information
【高雄（神護寺）Takao (Jingoji temple)】
Address：5, Umegahata Takaocho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：50 minuets of JR Bus ride from JR Kyoto Station. 20 minuets walk from Yamashiro Takao
TEL：075-861-1769（神護寺Jingoji temple）
The best season：Early November to mid November
4圓光寺 Enkouji temple
#4 is “圓光寺Enkouji temple”. It is a great place to enjoy the elegance of Kyoto garden while taking a time. When it is in a season there is a limited admission for 70 people per day for 8 days in early morning, which reservation needs to be made, so it is recommended for those who are willing to experience the quiet mystic time.
■Detailed Information
【圓光寺 Enkouji temple】
Address：13, Ichijoji Kotanicho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：15 minuets walk from Ichijoji Station of Eizan Line of Eizan electrical rail ways
TEL：075-781-8025（圓光寺 Enkouji temple）
The best season：Mid November to early December
3 大覚寺 Daikakuji temple
#3 is “大覚寺 Daikakuji temple”. In大覚寺 Daikakuji temple where the whole of Osawa pound is famous for its foliage. Illumination is performed at large area, which is the biggest area in Kyoto. There is a path that is like walking under the red maple tree tunnel, so it is perfect for taking a walk.
■Detailed Information
【大覚寺 Daikakuji temple】
Address：4 Saga Osawacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Take Kyoto Prefectural Route 29 in the direction of Daikakuji temple by car for 15km
TEL：075-871-0071（大覚寺 Daikakuji templ）
The best season：Early November to early December
2 北野天満宮 Kitanotenmagu shrine
#2 is “北野天満宮 Kitanotenmangu shrine”. You will be able to see historical, yet so beautiful autumn leaves at very close at Momiji-en (autumn maple garden) of Kitanotenmangu shrine. 350 maple trees illumination is just breathtaking, so that there are many travelers come and visit just to see that.
■Detailed Information
【北野天満宮 Kitanotenmangu shrine】
Address：Bakurocho, Kamigyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：Take #50 City Bus bound for Ritsumeikan University to Kitanotenmangu shrine
TEL：075-461-0005（北野天満宮Kitanotenmangu shrine）
The best season：Mid November to early December
1 東福寺 Tofukuji temple
#1 is “東福寺 Tofukuji”. Tofukuji combines beauty and richness that people can’t get their eyes off from the colorful leaves. That magnificent view is just perfect that this is the top of the autumn leaves spot.
■Detailed Information
【東福寺 Tofukuji temple】
Address：15-778, Hommachi, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access：10 Minuets walk from JR Keihan Main Line Tofukuji temple
TEL：075-561-0087（東福寺 Tofukuji temple）
The best season：Late November to early December
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Be part of photo tour in Kyoto beautiful autumn season!
Top 15 places have been introduced today, but there are tons of other places with spectacular view! Find your own beautiful autumn leaves spot when you come visit Japan. And in the future if you wish to have more memories in Japan, please contact Your Travel Story Japan. We are providing photo service to more than 2000 travelers in each year. Photographers we have are very good with local places in Japan and they will take the best photos at best places. Isn’t it wonderful to get pictures of your trip to Japan with your loved ones?