Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. The free shrine is a popular place to visit during spring for its plum trees and fall for its autumn foliage, as well as during its monthly flea market. In this post, we’ll share photos from our experiences here, tips for visiting, whether it’s worth your […]
If you want to see Japan’s famous fall colors, the Fuji Five Lakes region is an excellent destination. Here, you’ll not only get some of the best autumn foliage from late October through early December, but you’ll also have photogenic scenes with vibrant momiji in the foreground and Mount Fuji in the background. In this […]
Our 1-day itinerary for fall colors season in Kyoto routes an efficient and mostly walkable path through some of the very best autumn foliage spots in all of Japan. You’ll see the koyo highlights of Kyoto, including free temples & shrines, gardens, and a handful of nighttime illuminations by following this touring plan. If you’re […]
When it comes to fall colors, Fushimi Inari Taisha doesn’t make a lot of ‘best of’ lists for shrines & temples to visit in Kyoto, Japan during the autumn. This is really unfortunate, as I’d argue that it can be one of the better spots for fall foliage in Kyoto. I understand why Fushimi Inari is conspicuously […]
Tofukuji Temple is famous for its fall colors, Hojo Garden, and having some of the largest and oldest free grounds in Kyoto, Japan. The most iconic scene at the temple is its valley of autumn foliage under Tsutenkyo Bridge, which draws visitors from around the world. In this post, we’ll share photos and our experiences at […]
Unryu-in Temple in Kyoto is known for the views offered its beautiful windows into the Japanese gardens, which differ in each of the four seasons. In this post, we’ll share photos from our visit to Unryuin during its fall nighttime illumination, recount the somewhat-bizarre anecdote of our journey there, and provide our take as to […]
It’s difficult to narrow down the best fall colors locations in Kyoto down to a top 10 list. From foliage dotting the hillsides of Arashiyama to tree-lined temples of Higashiyama and everywhere in between, autumn in Japan’s ancient capital is a veritable sea of koyo (colorful leaves). The Japanese maple trees seem especially deep and vibrant in […]
Bishamondo is a secluded temple in Kyoto, Japan’s Higashiyama Mountains within walking distance of Yamashina Station. Unlike other locations near it, Bishamondo Temple is an uncrowded hidden gem due to it being relatively difficult to access. In this post, we’ll share photos of the temple, info on how to get there, and our brief review […]
Fall foliage is illuminated at Eikando Zenrinji Temple in Kyoto, Japan during a special autumn night lighting. We’ve attended this special event, and will share our experience, night photos of the leaves, and some tips for visiting based upon our observations. With over 3,000 maple trees, this temple is so famous for its fall foliage that it’s […]
For our second day Japan’s Fuji Five Lakes region, we got up early to catch the first bus to Lake Kawaguchi. It’s been a while since I posted Day 1 of our Mount Fuji Trip Report, but you can read that here. Now that fall colors season is winding down in Kyoto, I’m no longer racing […]