You can’t miss out on the autumn spectacle in Kyoto as the entire city turns into a beautiful painting. As a popular time to visit Japan’s old capital, be prepared to witness maple trees turning red and ginkgo leaves shifting to vibrant gold.
If you plan to head to Kyoto and catch stunning autumn leaves photo spots, the best time is around late November to early December. Fall in love with diverse temples and shrines with a lively backdrop as the leaves transition from greens to orange, yellow, gold, and red.
Check out these unique spots for the best autumn shots in Kyoto.
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1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The top spot definitely goes to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, which overlooks the Higashiyama area. This location is one of the best destinations to get a sense of ancient Kyoto. Ride the train, get off at the Kiyomizu-Gojo station, and walk for about 25 minutes to reach this temple.
Come autumn, you can enjoy the most beautiful fall foliage from the temple’s main hall on the hilltop, known as the Kiyomizy Stage. The autumn leaves in various colors make it look like a vibrant carpet surrounds the temple. Kiyomizu-Dera Temple has special illuminating hours from November 18-30, where you can witness the red autumn leaves being lit up.
Address: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
2. Nariaiji Temple
Nariaiji Temple is a mountainside destination that overlooks the Amanohashidate sandbar. As one of Japan’s most scenic spots, travelers often visit the place. You could always see a long line waiting to enter the temple, so it’s best to head to Nariaji early in the morning.
Nariaiji Temple is a five-story pagoda; red autumn leaves blanket it in the fall. Take a photo of the entire scenic backdrop for a Pinterest-worthy shot. Visit Nariaiji Temple in early November, and you’re just in time for a light-up event on the 10th and 11th.
Address: Nariaiji Temple
3. Tofuku-ji Temple
Kyoto’s biggest temple hall is Tofukuji, Tofukuji School’s main temple. You will be surprised to know that the temple’s gate is Japan’s oldest structure, which has been preserved on site.
Maple leaves in this temple transition to fiery red around mid-November. But if you want to catch the vibrant fall foliage, the best time to visit would be around the last week of November to early December. Head to the temple’s Tsutenkyo Bridge, and you’ll love the scenic red backdrop like a sea of red clouds.
One thing to note about this temple in autumn is that taking photos may not be permitted in Tsutenkyo because of the crowds. We suggest visiting the Sengyokukan Gorge to take breathtaking fall foliage pictures.
Address: Tofuku-ji Temple
4. Kuwayama Jinja
Appreciate vigorous orange and yellow leaves in Kuwayama Jinja in the Woodland Kyoto Area. It’s also one of Kyoto’s oldest shrines in Kameoka city. A view from the top shows that the shrine is right in the middle of a valley.
In this beautiful area, you can find 2 separate shrines. One is the Hachiman Shrine, housing the Betsuson Honda, while the other is the Kuwayama Shrine, enshrining the Takamitsu Omi. More than 1,000 maple trees around this location make Kwayama Jinja look like beautiful fall colors are enveloping it.
Address: Kuwayama Jinja
5. Nijō Castle
Nijo Castle is another sight to behold and holds cultural properties like the Ninomaru Goten, the Southeast Watchtower, and the main East Gate. This famous tourist attraction has three zen gardens with well-manicured grass and flowers, perfect for strolling or lounging.
Even though Nijo Castle is beautiful in all four seasons, it’s exceptionally mesmerizing in autumn, around mid-November. Maple and ginkgo trees transition to fiery red and bright yellow, inspiring you to talk around the castle grounds while taking stunning shots. We suggest heading to the southeast corner to appreciate its contrast with the maple leaves, presenting a very Japanese vibe.
Address: Nijō Castle
6. Zenporitsuji Temple
Zenporitsuji Temple in Yawata City, donated by Zenpoujikyusei, is a beautiful sightseeing spot and a monk dormitory. The maple trees surrounding it were believed to have been donated by Ryoko, explaining why this dormitory is more commonly known as the Momiji Temple.
The temple has 9 Yawata City cultural assets, including the Yawata Buddhist monk and the Amida Buddha. Zenporitsuji Temple is often crowded in autumn because tourists love taking photos outside. Take a panoramic shot with hundreds of red maple trees as the temple’s scenic backdrop.
Address: Zenporitsuji Temple
7. Eikandō Temple
Head south from the famous Philisopher’s Path to Eikando Zenrinji Temple. This site is renowned in the fall because of the beautiful autumn colors, which is also why tourists have called it the Momiji Eikando.
About 3000 maple trees and the Tahoto Pagoda are inside the temple, which create a breathtaking autumn scene. Climb to the top of the Tahoto Pagoda and catch aerial views overlooking the entire Kyoto. You can also take beautiful autumn shots with the vibrant leaves blanketing the temple.
The peak autumn leaf viewing weeks are from late November to early November, during which you can also witness Eikando Zenrinji being illuminated at night.
Address: Eikandō Temple
You May Also Like: The Most Photogenic Temples & Shrines in Kyoto
8. Kaijusen-ji Temple
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Kaijusen-ji Temple has a five-story pagoda painted in red and as high as 17.7 meters. As a relic of the ancient Kamakura period, it’s hailed as Japan’s national treasure. Other important structures inside the temple are the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, the Hokke Mandala painting, and the Monjudo Hall.
The best autumn leaves photo spots are on the top floor of this temple, where you can also catch overlooking views of the Heijo Palace and the Kunikyo Palace.
Address: Kaijusen-ji Temple
9. Bishamondo Temple
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Bishamondo Temple is an ode to Bishamonten, one of the excellent fortune deities believed to bring good luck every New Year. This tourist spot is popular in the fall because of the colorful autumn leaves, especially red maples that cover the ground. Fallen maple leaves look like a red carpet approaching the main hall.
Moreover, the area surrounding Bishamondo Temple also transitions to sweeping autumn colors, making a great photo spot.
Address: Bishamondo Temple
10. Komyo-ji Temple
Immerse yourself in one of the best autumn foliages in Kyoto by visiting Komyo-ji Temple. Enter the main gate and turn left to reach the Maple Path or the Momiji-sando. You will love how maple trees line the entire path, with their branches meeting together to form a tunnel of vibrant reds and ambers.
The autumn atmosphere feels even more ethereal as the fallen leaves envelop the ground. You will undoubtedly love the blend of red and yellow colors surrounding Komyo-ji Temple.
Address: Komyo-ji Temple
11. Ryōan-ji
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The rock garden is a famous spot inside Ryokanji Temple. It consists of small and huge stones arranged in white gravel. The stones look like waves and islands or rivers and rocks, depending on how you imagine them.
Ryokan-ji is one of the most beautiful autumn spots. Red maples and yellow ginkgos surround the rock garden wall, and the leaves create a unique landscape you can only see during the autumn leaf viewing season, around late November.
Address: Ryōan-ji
12. Yokoku-ji Temple
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Yokoku-ji Temple is famous for the Kannon Boddhisatva and beautiful photo spots, especially in the fall. Different seasonal flowers bloom per season, but the autumn leaves are the most breathtaking.
The gold and crimson foliage create a beautiful contrast to the wooden buildings and grey stone lanterns. Around mid-November, the Kamishoin Study is open for viewing to the public, where you can witness the best photo spot for the autumnal garden.
Address: Yokoku-ji Temple
13. Kyoto Botanical Gardens
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As Japan’s oldest public botanical garden, Kyoto Botanical Gardens is pretty accessible from the Kitayama Staton. A Western-style rose garden and a large flower bed are in the park’s southern half. On the other hand, the Naragi-no-Mori forest is in the garden’s northern half.
In autumn, the forest is surrounded by beautiful Japanese momiji, ginkgo, Formosan gum, and metasequoia that transition to vibrant colors. Moreover, from mid to late November, the gardens are illuminated at night.
Address: Kyoto Botanical Gardens
14. Kifune Shrine
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Kifune Shrine is another ancient yet beautiful tourist spot in Kyoto. It’s the perfect destination if you want to experience the city’s peaceful natural beauty away from the more crowded central areas.
Kifune Shrine features torii gates at the entrance and the vermillion lanterns. As early as the first week of November, you can already catch breathtaking autumn colors while the lanterns at the entrance are also illuminated. The autumn leaves are also lit up yearly for a more beautiful sight.
Address: Kifune Shrine
15. Yoshiminedera Temple
Yoshiminedera Temple is like Kiyomizudera but located on a different mountainside and overlooks the entire Kyoto. Crowds often flock to this spot because it’s spacious, and there are several buildings to visit inside.
Red maple trees dominate this temple in the fall, with the fallen leaves embracing the buildings inside. For the best photo spot, stand outside and switch a panoramic shot so you can capture the entire Yoshiminedera Temple with the fiery reds surrounding it.
Address: Yoshiminedera Temple
16. Daigo-Ji Temple
Finally, the last but definitely not the least is Daigo-Ji Temple. This majestic shrine is Kyoto’s oldest wooden building and one of Japan’s best sightseeing spots, especially in autumn. But did you know Daigo-Ji is also popular in spring because of the cherry blossoms?
Fall is the most vivid time of the year because of the magical multi-colored foliage. Make sure to head to the red bridge so you can see the fiery red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo trees blending with the shrine’s red exterior, adding a subtle yet unique rustic charm to the spot.
Address: Daigo-Ji Temple
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Kyoto has quite a diverse list of temples, shrines, and gardens to visit for the best autumn leaves photo spots. Whether you’re a professional photographer looking to expand your portfolio or a traveler who simply wants to post an Instagram-worthy shot in Japan, these sightseeing spots should be on your list!
For more recommended autumn locations all over Japan, you should also read our guides on the best autumn leaves photo spots in Tokyo and the best autumn leaves photo spots in Osaka!
Looking for other photogenic spots in Kyoto in all four seasons? Check out our article on the 20 most Instagrammable Photo Spots in Kyoto here!
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