Picture Guide to Autumn Leaves in Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto includes popular areas such as Arashiyama, Saga, and Kinugasa. The best time would be around the mid to end of November.
It is often crowded very much as well as Eastern Kyoto. You should better take the JR, Hankyu railway, and Keifuku Electric Railroad (Randen) to access Arashiyama & Saga. There is no doubt that the quickest way to go around is to use a bicycle.
The following tables show 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.
Kinugasa 衣笠
It is very crowded in Kinugasa area because this area includes 3 famous world heritages, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Ninna-ji temples. It is convenient to access here by bus network.
Kinkaku-ji temple 金閣寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Maple leaves are also very very marvelous in Kinkaku-ji.
Ryoan-ji temple 龍安寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
The pond garden with maples was more famous than the “famous” rock garden in Edo era.
Ninna ji temple 仁和寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
The maple leaves around the main hall is splendid.
Hanazono 花園
We can enjoy chic views of well-shaped maple trees
Taizo-in, Myoshin-ji temple 妙心寺退蔵院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A well-organized garden to express nature
Myoho-in, Myoshin-ji temple 妙心寺大法院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
This maple garden is extremely fantasticccccc! Don’t miss it!
Hokongo-in temple 法金剛院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Fully well-shaped maple trees
along Randen line 嵐山電鉄
Nice sites there!
Uzumasa Koryu-ji temple 太秦広隆寺 [2010] [2009]
Autumn colors naturally suited to the sights
Kurumazaki-jinja shrine 車折神社 [2010] [2009]
An impressive maple tree in front of main shrine
Rokuo-in temple 鹿王院 [2010] [2009]
Awfully beauuuuuutiful views of maples along the approach path and in the garden
Arashiyama 嵐山
Crowded but beautiful.
Togetsu-kyo bridge 渡月橋 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Patchwork-like slope of the mountain painted by different colors of autumn leaves
Tenryu-ji temple 天龍寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A colorful views of the Sogenchi garden including “rental landscape” of Arashiyama mountain
Precinct of Tenryu-ji tenple 天龍寺境内 [2010] [2009]
Plenty of maples at wide sites of Tenryu-ji temple
Hogen-in temple 宝厳院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Toooooo red! Collaboration of a variety of items such as house, rock, etc. and maples is really interesting.
Kyoto Kitcho 京都吉兆嵐山本店 [2009]
Michelin might give one more star to the splendid maple trees.
Horin-ji temple 法輪寺 [2010] [2009]
A nice view of Arashiyama and Saga from the platform
Saga 嵯峨
We can enjoy a variety of maple leaves. Anytime in maple season, we can enjoy beautiful maples somewhere in this area.
Kiyotaki 清滝 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A glorious view of natural maples along the Kiyotaki River against the sun
Atagi Nenbutsu-ji temple 愛宕念仏寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A fancy view of the collaboration of light colored maples and hundreds of stone statues
Toriimoto 鳥居本 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Magic maples in front of traditional tea house, Hiranoya
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple 化野念仏寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Vivid maples around thousands of stone statues
Emperor Gouta's mausoleum 御宇多天皇陵 [2010] [2009]
The quite quiet mausoleum with maples
Gio-ji temple 祇王寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A fantastic view of fallen leaves reminds of a tragic tale handed down here
Jikishi-an temple 直指庵 [2010] [2009] [2008]
I was deeply toughed by an unforgettable amazing view of plenty of pinkish and orange colored maple leaves.
Daikaku-ji temple 大覚寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Several interesting views of maples from corridors in the Heian style
Osawa-ike pond 大沢池 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Vivid maples around ancient pond
Hirosawa-ike pond 広沢池 [2010] [2009]
Several clumps of maples around ancient pond
Toemon Sano's house 佐野藤右衛門邸 [2009]
The house of a famous Japanese gardener with stylish maples
Nison-in temple 二尊院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Plenty of maples at an approach and in front of main hall
Seiryo-ji temple 清涼寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Hidden maples in back of main hall
Hokyo-in temple 宝筺院 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Nice scenes of maples through the window of main hall
Onri-an temple 厭離庵 [2010] [2009]
A bit too red!!! The leaves rapidly change color, and then fall down immediately in the late November.
Rakushi-sha 落柿舎 [2010] [2009] [2008]
The collaboration of persimmons and maples feel a typical Japanese rural sight.
Jojakko-ji temple 常寂光寺 [2010] [2009] [2008]
A colorful maples in front of main hall, vivid maples around the pagoda, and fallen leaves on the steps
Nomiya-jinja shrine 野宮神社 [2010] [2009] [2008]
Collaboration of a unique getaway and maples in front of shrine for love
Fall foliage in Kyoto
Basic Information
Brief guides with pictures
Prompt Reports, 2010