Arashiyama, the place for red leaves, a must to visit in Kyoto

The first time of hearing the place for autumn foliage probably are Arashiyama, Katsuragawa and Togetsukyo Bridge. It is for sure Arashiyama is the best place of Kyoto for red leaves. No matter this is your first time to visit or you are an experienced tourist, it is still worth coming more than one time. Please refer hereunder trip plans, enjoy the sceneries of red leaves in Kyoto!

Tenryu-Ji Temple

It is one of the Kyoto’s World Heritage. There is a Sogenchi Garden which the borrowed scenery from Arashiyama, built by Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk Muso Soseki. A good place for enjoying red leaves.

Address:

68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

Hogonin Temple

It is the Tatchu sub-temple of Tenryu-Ji. The most popular is “Lion’s Roar Garden” that borrows the scenery of Arashiyama. There will be lightened up at night.

Address:

36 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

Nonomiya Shrine

According to history, when new emperor took place of the old one, he would choose Saio (priestess) from unmarried female of the royal to represent the emperor to attend Ise Grand Shrine’s Saiku village. Nonomiya Shrine is the place for these Saio to tidy up their bodies and minds. Now here is famous for the God of marriage. In every autumn, places near the building are in contrast with the green tree, red and orange pictures.

Address:

Sagano Miyamachi 1, Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

Bamboo Forest Path

Although no red leaves, no other place in Japan will have same scenery. It is unique. Here is too famous that you have to come earlier for taking photos. If you come late, better join the night event of ”Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro “.

Address:

Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

Jojakko-ji Temple

There is the address of Shigure-tei, the holiday cottage of Fujiwara no Teika. A Japanese poet in early Kamakura period who collected the Japanese poets Waka and made the book named “Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Here famous for red leaves since Heian period. These red leaves around Niomoncho and Pagoda are extraordinary beautiful.

Address:

3 Sagaogurayama Oguracho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

Nison-in Temple

On the foot of Mount Ogura, here is also named as “the race of red leaves” (Momiji-no-baba, that means Maple tree lined approach). Sceneries of red leaves around the worship sidewalk, Chokushi-mon and the main hall are well-known.

Address:

27 Saganisonin Monzen Chojincho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

Gio-ji Temple

It is full of traditional country side feeling. A grass house with thatched roof is at here. The ground is full of mosses with few maple leaves cover. What a colorful picture!

Address:

32 Sagatoriimoto Kozakacho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

Seiryo-ji Temple (Saga Shakado)

It built according to the original Minamoto no Toru, the manor of Hikaru Genji of“The Tale of Genji”. There are red leaves in the corridor of the main hall, Bentendo and pagoda.

Address:

46 Sagashakadofujinokicho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

Houkyou-in Temple

Red leaves around the Houkyou-in Temple is very famous. Beware that tripod, monopod, big and medium cameras are not allowed in the temple.

Address:

9-1 Sagashakado Monzen Minamichuincho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

Rokuou-in Temple

It was built for the wish of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun of Ashikaga shogunate. It is a little bit far away from the main temple groups of Arashiyama. Along the long and narrow pilgrimage's path, on the both sides there are beautiful red maple leaves.

Address:

24 Sagakitaboricho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

Taking the Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway during red maple leaves period

The mini train starts from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kameoka station, taking 25 minutes for 7.3km. Not only enjoy the landscape of Hozukyo valley and the red leaves, also the presentation of the train captain’s commands. Tickets can be pre-ordered at 10:00am one month before via the internet、the “Green Window”of JR West or by travel agency. They will be sold out in a few minutes during the peak time of autumn foliage. As the seats are non-reserved if you book via internet. If you want to sit together with friends, family or couples, you have to book by other means. If the tickets are not sold out yet, you can buy the tickets at Saga Station (8:35am), Arashiyama Station (8:40am) or Kameoka Station (8:50am). First come, first served basis. There are also limited tickets for upright seats. The open compartment with no windows“The Rich” (No.5 compartment) is very popular. The tickets are only available on-site. If you are lucky, you can exchange your ticket for “The Rich” ticket on-site. During the light-up night event in red leaves period (14th October to 10 th December 2017: 4:30pm to 7:30pm), there will be an extra train going and coming back. If it is on Sunday or holiday in the peak time of red leaves period, there will be two extra trains. Taking Sagano Scenic Railway is a good option to travel between Arashiyama. But if you have enough time, you can get off at Katsuragawa station and walk to Arashiyama along the mountain path. It is an interesting experience!

Sagano Scenic Railway

Epilogue In Arashiyama, there is a maple festival held on the 2nd Sunday of November. The ”Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro “ event will have light up event in December. Other than red leaves, a lot of fun can be found in Arashiyama. Remember to visit here when traveling in Kyot