Most people think that the period for enjoying the red maple leaves is in November. But in early December, there are still many locations for having the red maple leaves enjoyment. Also there will be less tourists in December. Should we take the last chance to enjoy them in Kyoto in a comfortable way?
Shimogamo-Jinja
All Kyoto’s people know that the red maple leaves period ends very late in Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine. We can enjoy them in the late fall inside the big wood land called “Forest of Correction”
Address:
京都市左京区下鴨泉川町59
- 京阪出町柳駅下車、徒歩12分
- 市バス下鴨神社前バス停下車
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December
Sakya Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
This was a new tourist spot opened in 2016, located near the south side of Shimogamo-Jinja.
From 16 November to 5 December in 2017, there was a special event. The 2nd floor of the building is open for tourists to enjoy the red maple leaves.
The main building is an ancient house built in Taisho period. The 3rd floor will only be open for public in winter only.
Address:
58-2 Shimogamo Miyagawachō
- Keihan Electric Railway OR Eizan Densha train get off at Demachiyanagi station, 5mins walk.
- City bus, get off at Seiryucho station, 5mins walk
- City bus , get off at Demachiyanagi station, 5mins walk
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December
Jonangu Shrine
The idea of garden Rakusuien is from the Garden of the Shirakawa Tenno of Japanese ancient novel Genji Monogatari. Rakusuien includes five gardens. In spring, there will be a water banquet in the Nihon Teien. There will be another banquet in august to watch the red maple leaves in other gardens.
Address:
7 Nakajimatobarikyuho,Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Get off at Jukjeon Yeok Station of Karasuma Line by subway, walk for 15mins
- Get off at Jonanguhigashiguchi bus stop by city bus.
- Get off at Aburanokoji Dori Jonangu Shrine bus stop by R
- EX bus (Get off at Jonangu Shrine bus stop on Sat and Sun)
- Free car park for 200 private cars
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Kitano Tenmangu
This is the house near the odoi of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The red maple leaves period starts on 4 December. There will be also a lightening event to enjoy the red maple leaves.
Address:
京都市上京区馬喰町
- 京福電車「白梅町駅下車、徒歩5分
- 市バス「北野天満宮前」バス停下車
- 駐車場はありますが、利用できるのは9時～17時までです。公共交通機関の利用をおすすめします。
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Shinnyo-do Temple
Although late November is the best period for enjoying the red maple leaves, we can still enjoy the nice view of autumn leaves in early December behind the hall.Address:
京都市左京区浄土寺真如町82
- 市バス錦林車庫前バス停
- 真如堂前バス停で下車徒歩約８分
- 紅葉シーズンは駐車場使用不可
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Konkai Komyoji Temple
This garden with Japanese dry landscape is a good place to enjoy the red maple leaves. There will be also a special event in 3rd December during the red maple leaves period.
Address:
京都市左京区黒谷町121
- 地下鉄東西線蹴上駅下車、徒歩30分
- 市バス東天王町バス停下車、徒歩15分
- 市バス岡崎道バス停下車、徒歩10分
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Kyoto Botanical Garden
Near the Nakaragi-jinja Shrine , there is a pond area called “Nakaragi forest” , with the autumn leaves falling onto the pond forming a beautiful picture. We can also see reflection of water birds and the maple trees on the pond. Also don't miss the nice view of maple leaves in the garden named “Hydrangea garden”.Address:
京都市左京区下鴨半木町
- 地下鉄烏丸線北山駅下車3番出口すぐ
- 市バス・京都バス植物園前バス停下車、徒歩5分
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Bishamondo Temple
It is famous for its red maple leaves in the Pilgrimage Routes. The Bishamondo Bansui-en Garden (a promenade gardens which landscape gardens in the go-round style), is also the best location to watch the red maple leaves.
Address:
京都市山科区安朱稲荷山町18
- JR・地下鉄東西線山科駅下車、徒歩約20分
- 京阪電車京阪山科駅下車、徒歩約20分
- 京阪バス山科駅バス停下車、徒歩約20分
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to early December
Manshu-in Temple
There is the traditional building style of Tsuiji wall passing through the entrance of the temple. There are many maple trees on the stone wall. There is a beautiful picture when the red maple leaves fall onto the stone wall with green mosses.
We can also enjoy the Japanese dry landscape of autumn leaves with different colors. This makes a big contrast with the green pine trees and the white garden soil.
We can also admire the view of the pond on the other side of the entrance.
Address:
京都市左京区一乗寺竹ノ内町42
- 叡山電車修学院駅下車、徒歩約20分
- 市バス一乗寺清水町バス停下車、徒歩20分
Red maple leaves period: November
Entsu-Ji Temple
This temple is rebuilt from the monument which is the palace of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. There are some Cedrus and Hinoki trees near the hall. We can enjoy the red maple leaves with the Japanese dry landscape in reference to Mount Hiei. Beware that photography is prohibited in some areas.
Address :
389 Iwakura Hataedacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
- Get off at Kyoto-Seikadai-mae Station of Eizan Dentetsu train. Walk for 10 mins
- Get off at Kitayama Station of Karasuma Line by Japan subway, Walk for 30 mins (Taxi for 5 mins).
- Free Car park for 20 private cars
Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The Koyasu Pagoda is the best location to take photos of the Temple and the red leaves. Although the hall is under construction, it is still available for visiting. Suggest taking photos at the nighttime. Although there are many tourists in the temple, it is still good for photo-taking after lightening. The lightening event at night will continue until 2nd December.Address :
京都市東山区清水一丁目294
- 市バス「五条坂」バス停、「清水道」バス停下車、徒歩約10分
- 駐車場はなし。近くに京都市清水坂観光駐車場（普通車59台）などいくつか駐車場がありますが、紅葉時期は混みあいます。
Epilogue Due to the Global Warming Effect, the period of red maple leaves delays every year. While there are less tourists in December than in November, we can still enjoy the red maple leaves in December. Although not mentioned above, according the weather situation in every year, we can still watch the red leaves in Arashiyama in Early December. It is fun discovering the red leaves on the trip even though we are not going for the red leaves during the trip.。
