Picture Guide to Autumn Leaves in Northern Kyoto

(Updated October 2011)

In Northern Kyoto, the maple leaves start to turn red from the beginning of November and arrive to a climax in the middle of November in most of areas.

Unfortunately, it takes a little bit much time to access each area since the number of public transport services is few. So it is important to check the bus and train timetables carefully in advance.

The following tables shows my observation results on the autumn leaves at the prominent sites in Kyoto, 2009 and 2010.

Well, I’ll show the picture of each site with one or two words.
If you want to see more pictures of each site, click [2010], [2009] or [2008].
You can see the related article (unfortunately in Japanese) including the several pictures uploaded in 2010, 2009 or 2008, respectively.

Takao 高雄

Takao is located in the northwest mountainous area. It takes about 20 min. from Fukuoji (next to Ninnaji) by the Kyoto City Bus No.8 or the JR Bus.

Jingo-ji temple 神護寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Jingoji is the first site where the maple leaves start to change color in Kyoto. The maples along the steps in front of main shrine are magnificent.

Suzuriishi-tei 硯石亭 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Suzuriishitei is a traditional tea terrace where we can have tea just underneath the beautiful maples.

Saimyo-ji temple 西明寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Saimyoji is a typical rural Buddhist temple. We can enjoy the maples here simultaneously with Jingoji.

Kiyotaki river 清滝川 [2010] [2009]

Tempura maple is the local special food. Take care... lol

Kozan-ji Sekisui-in 高山寺石水院 [2010]

The best time of this world heritage site normally start from middle of November.

Hieizan 比叡山

Hieizan is one of the highest mountains of Kyoto. There is Enryaku-ji temple which was built for protecting Kyoto in 8th century. The area is composed of Toto, Saito, and Yokawa sites. It is convenient to access Hieizan by the cable car from Yase station (Eizan Electric Railway) .

The Eizan Cable 叡山ケーブル・ロープウェイ [2010] [2008]

We can enjoy maples from inside the car.

Toto, Enryaku-ji temple 延暦寺東塔 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Glorious views of the main buildings of Enryakuji with maples.

Saito, Enryaku-ji temple 延暦寺西塔 [2010] [2009] [2008]

More or less compact views of maples.

Yokawa, Enryaku-ji temple 延暦寺横川 [2010] [2009] [2008]

It takes about 15 min from Toto and Saito sites by bus. There are several good points to see maples.In addition, we can overlook a dazzling view of Biwako Lake behind maples along the road from the bus.

Kurama & Kibune 鞍馬・貴船

Maple tunnel, Eizan Railway 叡山電鉄紅葉のトンネル [2010] [2009] [2008]

The train passes the so-called “maple tunnel” between Ichihara and Ninose stations. Early morning is better to enjoy the view from inside the car because the car would be awfully crowded at any time except for early morning.

Kibune-jinja shrine 貴船神社 [2010] [2009] [2008]

We can see natural maples with light color along the Kibune river between Kibune station and Kibune shrine.There is a phenomenal view of natural maples with light color from Ryusenkaku stage.

Kurama-dera temple 鞍馬寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]

It takes about 1hour from Kibune shrine to get the main building of Kuramadera beyond the mountain. We can fully enjoy vivid red maples on the steep slope.

Yuki-jinja shrine 由岐神社 [2010]

Ohara 大原

It is convenient to take the bus from Yase station (Eizan Electric Railway) or from Kyoto International Conference Center station (Kyoto City Subway) to get Ohara.

Sanzen-in temple 三千院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

There are several unforgettable views. Especially the collaboration of the vivid moth garden and the maples completely heals our mind.

Shorin-in temple 勝林院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

A tall ginkgo near the gate is glorious as well as maples.

There is so-called “the garden in a picture frame” in Hosenin. Unfortunately it is prohibited to take pictures but it is an extremely amazing view! Normally the best time is late November.

Iwakura & Yase 岩倉・八瀬

Eizan Electric Railway is convenient for Iwakura & Yase, while Kyoto City Subway is convenient for Kyoto International Conference Center & Takaragaike.

Jisso-in temple 実相院 [2010] [2009]

JIssoin is located more or less far from Iwakura station, anyway. We can see 2 splendid views of 2 different gardens. Maples in moth garden change color first followed by the rock garden.

Yase 八瀬 [2010] [2009] [2008]

We can see the great view of Hieizan mountain covered with maples from the bank of Sirakawa river.

Renge-ji temple 蓮華寺 [2010] [2009]

The garden with colorful maples in a picture frame is really beautiful.
The best time is late November.

Miyake-hachiman shrine 三宅八幡 [2010] [2009]

In front of shrine there is a good place to take a rest as watching maples.

Kyoto International Conference Center 京都国際会館 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Nice views of plenty of maples and cherries with Hieizan

Takaraga-ike lake 宝が池 [2010] [2009]

We can fully relax by taking a walk around the lake.

Entsu-ji temple 円通寺 [2010]

A wide zen-garden with maples and Hieizan-mountain in a picture frame.

Takano river 高野川 [2009]

I was so touched when I saw the red colored roadside cherry trees along Takano river gets a shower of sunshine in the morning. It’s superb!

Kamigamo 上賀茂

The best time is comparatively late. It is convenient to take Kyoto city bus No. 9 or 46 to get there.

Kamigamo-jinja shrine 上賀茂神社 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Awesome maples along the stream and in front of main shrine

Ota-jinja shrine 太田神社 [2010] [2009]

A little bit tall maple trees at the approach to shrine

Midorogaike-lake 深泥池 [2010]

A well-known psychic spot in Kyoto. You maybe meet a ghost. lol

Takamine 鷹峯

It is convenient to take Kyoto city bus No.North 1 from Kitaoji station (Kyoto city subway) or No.6 from Shijo-Ohmiya station (Hankyu) via Nijo station (JR & Kyoto city subway) to get there.

Koetsu-ji temple 光悦寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]

We can enjoy the earliest autumn leaves in Kyoto city here. The view of maples over the traditional bamboo fence is well-known.

Maple tunnel, Koetsu-ji temple 光悦寺紅葉のトンネル [2010] [2009] [2008]
“Maple tunnel” at the approach to temple is also well-known. The best time is 1 week later than that inside the temple.

Shozan garden しょうざん庭園 [2010] [2009] [2008]

An artistic traditional garden with maple trees… So much vivid!

Genko-an temple 源光庵 [2010] [2009] [2008]

We can enjoy a very very philosophical view thorough a round window.

Josho-ji temple 常照寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]

The best time is more or less later than that of the neighboring sites.

Murasakino 紫野

It is convenient to take Kyoto city bus from Kitaoji station (Kyoto city subway) to get there.

Koto-in, Daitoku-ji temple 大徳寺高桐院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Very very fantastic approach to temple and a splendid moth garden

Daisen-in, Daitoku-ji temple 大徳寺大仙院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Too red!!!

Hoshu-in, Daitoku-ji temple 芳春院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

A nice approach to temple

Imamiya-jinja shrine 今宮神社 [2010] [2009] [2008]

A decent view of maples and shrine

Ichijoji 一乗寺

The best time of this area is more or less later than that of the other areas in Northern Kyoto. Eizan Electric Railway is convenient to access this area.

Sekizan-zen-in temple 赤山禅院 [2010] [2009] [2008]

Plenty of maples along the approach and inside the temple