8 Kyoto’s Temples you may not know they are famous for autumn foliage

Red Leaves
京都紅葉のお寺

To enjoy red maple leaves, most people will agree to visit temple. In the survey of 2014, there are 2446 temples in Kyoto. For such quantity of temples, even for those visitors who always visit Kyoto still can’t visit all of them.This time, we are going to recommend those temples with fewer tourists. If you have already visited those famous temples, you can try discovering the new one.

Taizo-In Zen Buddhist Temple

Taizo-In Zen Buddhist TempleTaizo-In Temple is the biggest Zen temple among the 38 Zen Buddhist Temples and the 10 Tatchu sub-temples in Kyoto. Some of them are famous for red maple leaves, including Taizo-In Temple. The promenade garden Hyonenzu (余香苑) was built in 1965 by Kinsaku Nakane. People can enjoy matcha and red maple leaves at Daikyuan. The ink paint“Hanyugeji”by artist from Muromachi period is a famous collection in Taizo-In Temple. Pay attention to the shape of the window of Daikyuan and the pond of the garden, they are both in gourd shape.There is also a famous painting by Kano Motonobu named “Motonobu’s garden”near the main hall.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm Fee: 500 Yen for secondary school, 300 Yen for primary school , free for primary school.

Address

5 Hanazonomyoshinjicho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Hanazono station by JR Sagano line, walk for 5mins.
  • Get off at Myoshinji Kitamonzen Bus Stop by City bus, walk for 5 mins.
  • Get off at Myoshinji Bus Stop by City bus, walk for 3 mins
  • Get off at Myoshinji Bus Stop by Kyoto bus, walk for 3 mins
  • Get off at Myoshinji Bus Stop by Keifuku bus, walk for 10 mins
  • Car park at Hanazono Kaikan (private cars)

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

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Hokongo-In Temple

Hokongo-In TempleLong time ago, here is the countryseat of Kiyohara no Natsuno (a nobleman of Heian period). Since there are full of flowers, it is also named as“Flower Garden”. Emperor Sutoku and the mother of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Fujiwara no Tamako (1101-45), were lived at here. She split up Hokongo-In Temple from Ninna Temple.In 1970, the promenade garden was founded and recovered into artificial waterfall (青女の滝). This waterfall was the biggest during Heian period, with the height of 5 meters. It is also named“Louis Temple”, which is a famous spot for enjoying the red leaves.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pmFee: 500 Yen for University , 300 Yen for Secondary and Primary school

Address:

49 HanazonoōginochōUkyō-ku, Kyōto-shi

  • Get off at Hanazono station by JR Sagano line, walk for 5 mins
  • Get off at Hanazonooginocho bus stop by City bus, walk for 2 mins
  • Get off at Hanazono bus stop by Kyoto bus, walk for 5 mins
  • 駐車場：自家用車20台分無料

Red maple leaves period:Late November to Early December

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Higashi Honganji Temple- Shosei-en Garden

Higashi Honganji Temple- Shosei-en GardenIt is located at the east side of Higashi Honganji Temple and built by Ishikawa Jozan. You can admire the view of reflection of red leaves on the pond at Shinsetsu Bridge The river(丹楓渓) near the covered bridge (回棹廊) is also a good location to appreciate the red leaves.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (March to October) ( Last entrance at 4:30pm)Opening hours: 9:00 am to 4:00pm (November to February) (Last entrance at 3:30pm)Fee: 500 for adults, 250 Yen for Secondary school (A guide book of Shosei-en garden will be given if visitors pay more than the normal fee)

Address:

Karasuma Shichi-jo Agaru, Shimogyo-ku

  • Get off at JR Kyoto station, walk for 10mins
  • Get off at Gojo Station by Subway Karasuma Line, walk for 7 mins
  • Get off at Karasuma Shichijo bus stop by City bus , walk for 5 mins

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

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Chishaku-in Temple

There are many places in Chishaku-in Temple with beautiful red leaves, such as pilgrimage’s path or around the clock tower. Those statues of Monk“Genyu”surrounded by sharp autumn leaves will impress you. The Shounji Temple built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi was rebuilt as the famous garden for admiring red leaves.　
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pmFee: 500 Yen for adults , 300 Yen for secondary school , 200 Yen for primary school

Address:

964 HigashikawarachoHigashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Higashiyama Shichijo bus stop by City bus
  • Get off at Shichijo station by Keihan Railway, walk for 10 mins

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

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Toji-in Temple

Toji-in TempleThis temple was built by education master Muso Kokushi (national Zen teacher) and belong to Linji school. Apart from the red leaves along the pilgrimage’s path, there are also about 50 maple trees around the“Heart shape pond”at the east of the garden.The borrowed scenery of west garden is from the view of Kinugasa mountain. Visitors can enjoy the matcha with the beautiful Furai pond scenery.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm (Last entrance at 4:00pm)Fee: 300 Yen for adults , 200 Yen for below adults

Address:

63 Tojiin KitamachiKita-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Toji-in Temple station by Keifuku Railway Kitano Line, walk for 10 mins
  • Get off at Tojiin Minamimachi bus stop by City bus , walk for 8 mins
  • Get off at Ritsumeikan Daigaku Zen Bus Stop by City bus or JR bus , walk for 10mins
  • Free car park for 10cars

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

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Kennin-ji Temple

Kennin-ji TempleThis is the oldest temple in Kyoto and located at Gion, the south side of Hanamikoji Dori. People can enjoy the red maple leaves at anywhere inside the temple. There are the promenade gardens including“Daioen Garden”and“Seaside Garden”decorated by white sands, mosses and giant rocks. From the room of master to the main hall, there are bell shape windows in the corridor. It is a marvelous experience seeing the red maple leaves through these windows.
Opening hours: 10:00am to 4:00pm (Last entrance at 4:30pm) from 1st November to 28th FebruaryFee: 500 Yen for adults, 300 Yen for secondary school, 200 Yen for primary school, Free for younger than primary school

Address:

KomatsuchoHigashiyama Ward

  • Get off at Gion Shijo Station by Keihan Railway, walk for 7 mins
  • Get off at Kawaramachi station by Hankyu Railway, walk for 10 mins
  • Get off at Higashiyama Yasui bus stop by City bus, walk for 5mins
  • Get off at Minami-za bus stop by City bus, walk for 7 mins
  • Get off at Gion bus stop by City bus, walk for 10 mins
  • Get off at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop by City bus , walk for 10mins
  • Car park (Free for the first hour)

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

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Hokyoji-monzeki Temple

It is named“Doll Temple”held by the royal family or nobles daughters. There are many maple trees planted by the young princess or the palace maid, including the red leaves in the Tsurukame garden and the Doll mound. The screen painting with the theme of grapes and deers by Kawataka Kawari in the main hall is famous for the modern women. Don’t miss it !
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pmAutumn Doll Exhibition: 10:00am to 4:00pm (Last entrance at 3:30pm) from 1st to 30th November(Open in spring and autumn only)Fee: 600 Yen for adults, 300 Yen for Secondary and Primary school

Address:

Teruyuki Teruyuki Noritori Horikawa Higashi Iri Yakarincho 547

  • Get off at Imadegawa station by Subway Karasuma line, walk for 15mins
  • Get off at Horikawateranouchi bus stop by City bus No 9, walk for 1min
  • Get off at Hankyu Karasuma Station or Sanjo keihan Station and get on City bus no 12, get off at Horikawateranouchi bus stop, walk for 1 min
  • 駐車場：自家用車2台分無料

Red maple leaves period: ate November

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Koshohorin-ji Temple

Koshohorin-ji TempleThe pilgrimage’s path“Kotosaka”is about 200 meters. It is from Uji River to the white door of this Chinese style temple Koshohorin-ji. It is also well-known for the red maple leaves scenery. Back to the courtyard surrounded by corridors, visitor can see the hall rebuilt by the materials of Fushimi Castle.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pmFee: Inner court: FreeWorship: at will(300 Yen)

Address:

Yamada-27-1 UjiUji-shi

  • Get off at Uji station by Keihan Railway Uji line, walk for 15mins
  • Get off at Uji station by JR Nara line, walk for 25 mins
  • 駐車献香料：300円

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

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EpilogueYou can know more about the brilliant history of Kyoto after visiting those temples. Read this article before you visit Kyoto next time!