10 magnificent red maple leaves sights in Kyoto!

Red Leaves
京都紅葉の名所

Because visitors will go for famous red maple leaves tourist spots. We are going to introduce the majestic sightseeing places which are full of red leaves everywhere. It is not necessary to worry even the places are full of people. Places for red leaves hunting.

Rurikoin Temple

Rurikoin TempleThis temple is only open to public in spring and autumn. It occurs 12,000 py, a vast place. In the 2nd floor of the school, people can watch the Rurikoin Garden made by Toemon Sano and name as “Sakura Guardian”. Do not miss reflections on the floor and tables of the school.
Opening hours:1st October to 10th December: 10:00am to 5:00pm (2017)11th November to 3rd December: 9:00am to 6:30pm (limited ticket, stop admission at 6:00pm)Fee: 2000 Yen

Address:

55 Kamitakano Higashiyama Sakyo-ku

  • Get off at Yase-Hieizanguchi station by Eizan Railway, 5 mins walk
  • Get off at Yase station by Hiei-zan Cable car, 5 mins walk
  • Get off at Yase station by Kyoto bus, 5 mins walk

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

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Jisso-in Temple

The“Floor of Maples”is famous and it is the reflections on the floor in the rooms. Please note photo taking is not allowed in the room. So you can only put the pictures into memories by eyes.Plus, the stone kiosk with background of Hiei Mountain and the Japanese garden are nice places for red maple leaves too.Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (No regular off date)Fee: 500 Yen for adults, 250 Yen for secondary and primary school[/su_note]

Address:

121 Iwakura Aguracho Sakyo-ku

  • Get off at Lwakura station by Eizan Railway Kurama Line, 20 mins walk
  • Get off at Jisso-in Temple bus stop by Kyoto car
  • No car park during red maple leaves period

Red maple leaves period:Mid November to Early December

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Sanzen-in Temple

Sanzen-in TempleJapanese Garden Shuheki-en (聚碧園) that rebuilt by the tea merchant Kanamori Sowa in Sengoku period, and the laughing statue of Bodhisattva that full of mosses in Yusei-en Garden, make Sanzen-in Temple more charming. People can enjoy the red maple leaves in both the places.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pmMarch to 7th Decmeber: 8:30 to 5:00pm (Close at 5:30pm)8th December to February: 9:00am to 4:30pm (Close at 5:00pm) Fee: 700Yen per person, 400 Yen for secondary school, 150 for primary school

Address:

540 Ohararaikoincho Sakyo-k

  • Get off at Ohara bus stop by Kyoto Bus, 10 mins walk

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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Kamomioya Jinja Shrine

Kamomioya Jinja ShrineA place that has about 500 maple trees and Acer Japonicum trees, here name as “Forest of Correction”, is a forest area. It is one of the most popular viewpoint for red leaves in Kyoto. Also, here is the original place of Mitarashi Dango, the fired pastay with sweet and salty sauce. There are shops for this pastry. Why not try on the way back home?
Opening hours: 6:30 am to 5:00pmFee: Free

Address:

59 Shimogamo Izumigawacho Sakyo-ku

  • Get off at Demachiyanagi station by Keihan Railway, walk for 12mins
  • Get off at Kamomioya Jinja Shrine bus stop

Red maple leaves period:Late October to Early November

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Kyoto Botanical Garden

Kyoto Botanical GardenAround the“Nakaragi Forest”, there are about 300 maple trees with total about 2000 red leaves can be seen. The red leaves of those Liquidambar Formosana trees are also a highlight to watch.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Last entrance at 4:00pm)Greenhouse: 10:00am to 4:00pm (Last entrance at 3:30pm)Fee: 200 Yen per person, 150 Yen for high school, Free under secondary school

Address:

himogamo Hangicho Sakyo Ward

  • Get off at Kitayama Station exit 3 by Subway Karasuma Line
  • Get off at Kyoto Botanical Garden Bus stop by Kyoto or City Bus, walk for 5mins

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early Demember

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Genko-an Temple

Genko-an TempleIn the temple, there is a round shaped window named “The Window of Enlightenment” and a square shape window named “The Window of Delusion”. Looking through the windows are the colorful autumn leaves. It is dim in the temple while outside is day lighted. With such contrast, the red leaves look more bright and colorful.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Closed when conducting rites) Fee: 500 Yen during red maple leaves period

Address:

47 Takagamine Kitatakagaminecho Kita-ku

  • Get off at Genko-an Temple Bus stop, 1 min walk
  • Car park available for 20 cars, but no car park during red leaves period.

Red maple leaves period:Mid to Late November

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UmekoJi-Koen Park

UmekoJi-Koen ParkAfter the lighting up of the “Red leaves Festival”, people can admire the pretty picture named as “Red leaves Reverse”. It is a reflection of about 150 maple trees and red pine trees (Pinus densiflora) that planted on the Suzaku no Niwa Garden (Vermilion Bird Garden).
Opening hours: Free at anytimeSuzaku no Niwa Garden: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Last entrance at 4:30pm)Lighting up event: 17th November to 3rd December (2017) 5:00pm to 9:00pm( Last entrance at 8:30)Off on MondayFee: 200 Yen per personDuring Red maple leaves period: 400Yen for adults, 200 Yen for Primary school (100 Yen discount for Kyoto Aquarium or Kyoto Railway Museum Ticket)

Address:

56-3 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward

  • Get off at Kyoto station by JR/ Subway and Kintetsu Railway, 15mins walk
  • Get off at Tanbaguchi Station by JR San’in Line, walk for 15mins
  • Get off at Omiyacho Kyoto Aquarium by City Bus
  • Get off at UmekoJi-Koen Park Kyoto Railway Museum Bus Stop by City Bus
  • Get off at UmekoJi-Koen Park Bus Stop by City Bus
  • Get off at  Omiyacho Kyoto Aquarium Bus Stop by Keihan Bus
  • Car park for disabled person only

Red maple leaves period:Mid November to Early December

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Bishamon-Do Temple

Bishamon-Do Temple Around Bansui-en Garden and Kodai-Benzaiten and on the pilgrimage’s path can enjoy some red leaves. Visitors should not miss the famous artwork on paper door named “Movable Door”(動く襖絵). The painter used the reverse-perspective skill to draw. It let the object looks like all the time at the centre wherever the visitors are. And the paints of Maruyama Okyo drew on cedar wood door are precious. The Sorin-in Temple nearby Bishamon-Do Temple also a popular red leaves tourist spot.
Opening hours: 16th March to 30th November: 8:30am to 5:00pm (Last entrance at 4:30pm)1st December to 15th March: 8:30am to 4:30pm (Last entrance at 4:00pm)Fee: 500 Yen for adults, 400 Yen for secondary school, 300 Yen for primary school, Free under primary school

Address:

18 Anshuinariyamacho Yamashina-ku

  • Get off at Yamashina Station by Subway Tozai Line, 20mins walk
  • Get off at Yamashina Station by Keihan Railway, 20 mins walk
  • Get off at Yamashina Bus Stop by Keihan Bus, 20 mins walk

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

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Konkai Komyoji Temple

Konkai Komyoji TempleThe “Women pathway” located at the left side of the main door is mentioned as “The Pilgrimage’s Path of Maple”. It is a well-known red leaves viewpoint of native people. The Shigara Garden of Shakado Hall is also a good place to enjoy the pretty red leaves in autumn.
Opening hours: Mieido House : 9:00am to 16:00pm ( If not in red leaves period, the main entrance closes at 6:00pm)Fee: Free (500 Yen from 11th November to 6th December in 2017)

Transportation:

京都府長岡京市粟生西条 長岡京市粟生西条ノ内26−1

  • Get off at West exit of Nagaokakyo Station by JR Railway, Get on Hankyu Bus for 20mins and get off at Asahigaoka homumae bus stop, 4 mins walk
  • Get off at Nagaoka-Tenjin Station by Hankyu Railway, Get on Hankyu Bus for 10mins and get off at Asahigaoka homumae bus stop, 4 mins walk

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

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Yoshimine-dera Temple

Yoshimine-dera TempleThe huge Yoshimine-dera Temple is in 30,000py. Many places are good for watching red leaves. Especially the area of pagodas and the deep area inside Yakushido. Eyes will be full of red leaves and not able to stop.
Opening hours: 8:00am to 17:00pm (Last entrance at 16:45pm)Fee: 500 Yen for adults, 300 yen for high school, 250 Yen for secondary and primary school

Address:

1372 Oharano Oshiocho Nishikyo-ku

  • Get off at Muko station by JR Railway, Get on Hankyu bus stop for 30mins and get off at Yoshimine-dera Temple, 8 mins walk
  • Get off at Muko station by Hankyu Railway, Get on Hankyu bus stop for 30mins and get off at Yoshimine-dera Temple, 8 mins walk
  • Car park at the entrance

Red leaves period: Mid to Late November

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EpilogueWe recommend some places to get majestic scenery of red leaves. But be aware that the weather in every year may vary. It makes the period of red leaves change too. It needs to check the red leaves information via internet, and then choose the right time to visit.