Tracking for red maple leaves in Kyoto? Two suggested routes for a driving trip

The popular view points of red maple leaves in Kyoto can travel by public means, such as rails and buses. If you want to enjoy the red maple leaves at those secret places, you have to take own driving. Here we recommend 2 routes. People can enjoy driving and red leaves at the same time.

It is also named as“Shimogamo Shizuhara Ohara Line”. It means the section of cross road of Shimogamo Hon-dori & Kita-Oji Dori to Oharaonagasecho of Sakyo-ku. In this section of the road, there are some special stops for cars for people to enjoy red leaves.

Kyoto Botanical Garden

The red maple leaves viewpoint is mainly at Nakaragi no Mori (natural forest garden). The Garden of Fine Arts Kyoto located at the northwest of Kyoto Botanical Garden is recommendable. Here demonstrates those international well-known pictures by big ceramic picture.

アクセス

京都市左京区下鴨半木町

見ごろ 11月中旬～12月上旬

Midorogaike

In the soft days, the reflection of those red maple leaves from mountains around and the island inside the lake, it is worthwhile to stop and admire for hours. As there is no lightening at night, visitors should come in daytime.

Address

Kamigamo Midoroikecho Kita Ward

Entsu-Ji Temple

This temple was build on monument of Hataeda Rikyu, that was the small villa built by Emperor Gomizunoo. Numerous tourists are attracted by the red maple leaves in the Karesansui dry rock garden. Among the spaces between tress and trees, visitors can enjoy the landscape of Mountain Hiei.

Address

京都市左京区岩倉幡枝町389

見ごろ 11月中旬～12月上旬

Fudarakuji Temple (Komachidera Temple)

It generally is named as Komachidera Temple for the famous singer Ono no Komachi of Heian period passed away in here. The main hall was removal of the hall Gomadou of Kurama-dera Temple. Visitors can enjoy the view of Sugata Minoi (姿見の井) and the red maple leaves surrounded, looks like the dance of Ono no Komachi.

Address:

140 Shizuichiichiharacho Sakyo-ku

Kawashima Selkon (Textiles Company)

There is a textile culture hall nearby the Komachidera Temple. It is interesting to visit even though it is not a place for red leaves. Visitors can book a visit to know and learn about the textile products and knowledge during Meiji, Taisho and Showa period. Also you can admire the original paintings of different famous Japanese painters. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

Address:

65 Shizuichiichiharacho Sakyo-ku (Kawashima Selkon Textiles Co., Ltd.)

Satonoeki Ohara

Here is the direct-sale market of agricultures. People can buy the vegetables form Ohara and the traditional home made rice cake (Mochi).

Address:

1012 Oharanomuramachi Sakyo-ku

The end point of Kyoto Prefecture Road No. 40 (Hudou 40) comes across with National Highway 367. Driving to north side can arrive at different locations like Sanzen-in Temple. Arashiyama Takao Parkway is in length of 10.7kn from Arashiyama to Takao. You can find the sightseeing platform of Ogurayama Mountain to overlook at the Hozukyo and the red maple leaves in Kyoto city. There is also a famous Hozugawa sightseeing platform for seeing the Hozugawa River and the train crossing the river. In the Shobudani Pond, we can also try other interesting activities like rowing and barbecue.

Address

・Arashiyama・ Kiyotakikuchi Toll Gate

Takao Toll Gate

You can visit some temples after entering the Takao Toll Gate

Saimyo-ji Temple

Walking pass the red Shigetsu Bashi Bridge, here is the Saimyo-ji Temple of Jingo-Ji Temple. The main hall was donated by Keisho-in, the mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th Shogun of Tokugawa shogunate. People can admire the red maple leaves all around the temple. When you pass through the Shigetsu Bashi Bridge, try to find an angle that you can take a photo including the red bridge and the red leaves. The combination will be a great picture.

Address:

Umegahata Makinoocho Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Jingo-Ji Temple

Other than the pretty views of the temple, a tea stop will be found in the path behind the door. It matches the red maple leaves surprisingly.

Address:

京都市右京区梅ヶ畑栂尾町1-1

Red maple leaves period: 11月上旬～11月下旬

Kozanji Temple

Kozanji Temple was rebuilt by Japanese Buddhist monk Myoe and famous for the“Choju-jinbutsu-giga“which is kept for generations. The tea grew by Myoe is the origin of Uji tea. From the dim and wide edge at the west of Sekisui Garden, you can have a look of the red leaves outside. They seem specially bright. There are the 17 stone plates in diamond-shaped at the centre of the leading road. As a background for those red maple leaves, it forms a beautiful view.

Address:

8 Umegahata Toganoocho, Ukyo-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Epilogue It is difficult to go to Hozukyo without taking own driving. Generally, roads will be crowded or congested during red leaves period, but our recommended routes are little far away from main town, not that full of cars. If you reach Kozanji Temple after morning, the car park will probably be full. In such case, visitors can consider to park at the car park nearby Jingo-Ji, and take a walk to move around.