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9 secret locations to enjoy the red maple leaves in time freezing Kyoto

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There are too many tourists in popular viewpoints to watch the red maple leaves in Tokyo. Indeed, there are still many places with less tourists to enjoy the red leaves. Especially if you have visited Kyoto many times, these options maybe quite attractive to you.

Rengeji Temple

This temple also is named as “Temple of Autumn Leaves”. This was built by Ishikawa Jōzan from the late Japanese Warring Period. The combination of red leaves and the green mosses makes a beautiful landscape painting.
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Fee: 400Yen for Older than high school , Free for Younger than secondary school

Address:

1, Kamitakano Hachimancho Sakyo Ward

  • Get off at Miyake-hachiman Station by Eizan Densha train, walk for 10 mins
  • Get off at Kanbashi bus stop by Kyoto Bus, walk for 1 min.
  • Free Car park for 6 private cars

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Miyakehachimangu

It is famous for worshiping a saint which protects the children. This Guardian beast is not a guardian dogs nor a guardian bird (stone‐carved). We can also taste the popular food “Bird Cake”. There is a house with waterwheel near the pond. The mysterious scenery of red leaves is hiding here.
Opening hours: 24hours (Office 9:00am-4:00pm) Fee: free

Address:

22 Kamitakano Miyakecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

  • Get off at Hachiman-mae station by Eizan Densha train, walk for 2 mins.
  • Get off at Miyake-hachiman station by Eizan Densha train, walk for 6 mins.
  • Get off at Kokusaikaikan station by Subway Karasuma Line, walk for 1 min.
  • Get off at Hachiman bus stop by Kyoto Bus, walk for 1min.
  • Get off at Miyake-hachiman bus stop by Kyoto Bus, walk for 5 mins.
  • Free car park for 30 private cars

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Kochidani

One of the well-known scenery to enjoy the red leaves in Ohara region, northern Kyoto. Passing through the entrance with Chinese building style, there is the hall of the temple. You can also discover some 800 years old maple trees along the path.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm Fee: 400 Yen

Address

83 Oharakochihiracho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Kochidani bus stop by Kyoto bus, walk for 15 mins
  • Free car park for 40 private cars

Red Maple leaves period: Mid November

Myokenji Temple

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated Akechi Mitsuhide, it was renamed as Nijo-jo Castle (but not the same one in Kyoto’s town center). This is a hidden spot to enjoy the red leaves and the sakura. There is also a garden in reference to the painting by artist Ogata Korin in Edo period. In 2017, Myokenji Temple held a lightening event with Honpo-ji Temple and Miao-Jue Temple to enjoy the autumn leaves.
Opening hours: 10:00am-4:30pm (Last entrance at 4:00pm) Night tour: 3rd -24th November (2017) 5:00pm to 8:00pm Fee: Free (300 Yen for visiting the garden) Night tour Fee: 500 Yen (500 Yen for Miao-Jue Temple, 700 Yen for Honpo-ji Temple) Combined ticket Fee: 1300 Yen

Address :

Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Myokenjimaecho, 514

  • Get off at Imadegawa Station of Subway Karasuma line, walk for 11 mins
  • Get off at Kuramaguchi Station of Subway Karasuma line, walk for 9 mins
  • Get off at Horikawa Teranouchi bus stop by city bus , walk for 5 mins
  • Free Car park for 5 private cars (Need registration)

Red Maple leaves period: Mid November

Gohodo-benzaiten Shrine

We can discover very colorful red leaves since there is not much sunlight. There is famous for the falling red leaves. This makes a big contrast with the green mosses on the Japanese washbasin. Saga Toriimoto nearby is also a hidden spot for enjoying the red leaves.
Opening hours: 24 hours Fee: Free

Address:

2 Sagatoriimoto Ikkahyocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Benten Mae bus stop by Kyoto bus

Red leaves period: Late November to Early December

Konzoji Temple

After getting off the bus, tourists have to walk up the mountain for 1 hour to arrive. Although it is exhausting, it is still worth it after watching this beautiful place to enjoy the red leaves.
Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm Fee: Free

Address:

1639-11 Oharano IshizukurichoNishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Katsura station by Hankyu Railway, get on Hankyu Bus and get off at Nagamine bus stop , walk for 50 mins
  • Get off at Higashi-Muko station by Hankyu Railway OR JR railway and get off at Mukomachi Station, get on Hankyu Bus and get off at Minamikasugacho Bus Stop, walk for 60 mins.
  • Can’t arrive by private car since the road is under construction.

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Joruri-ji Temple

It is located between Kyoto and Nara-ken. It is famous for the statue of The Great Auspicious Fairy. This statue will be open in the autumn. The Japanese three-storeyed pagoda with the red leaves and the red leaves with the pond are nice for photography.
Opening hours: 9:00am- 5:00pm (December- February 10:00am-4:00pm) Opening date (For the statue): 1st October – 30th November Fee: 400 Yen

Address:

Futaba-40 Kamocho Nishio, Kizugawa-shi

  • Get off at Kamo station by JR railway, get on City bus for 20 mins and get off at Joruri-ji temple bus stop.
  • Get off at Kamo station by JR railway , walk for 1 hour
  • Get off at Kintetsu-nara station by JR railway and get on Nara city bus for 35 mins, get on Yanbaru express bus and get off at Joruri-ji temple bus stop.
  • Public car park near the temple ( No car park inside the temple)

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

Gansenji Temple

Suggest walking from Joruri-ji Temple to Gansenji Temple. There are some Buddha statues on the Cliff wall along the path. We can also buy some wild vegetables from the farm shop. Gansenji Temple is famous for its Hydrangea macrophylla. Watching the falling red leaves near the Japanese three-storeyed pagoda is recommendable.
Opening hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm (December to February 9:00am to 4:00pm) Fee: 400 Yen for adult, 300 Yen for Secondary school, 200 Yen for Primary school

Address:

Kizugawa City 43 Kaminomon, Iwafune, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa City

  • Get off at Kamo station by JR railway, get on City bus and get off at Gansenji Temple bus stop
  • Get off at Kamo station by JR Railway, walk for 1 hour and 30 mins
  • Get off at Nara station by Jr railway, get on Yanbaru express bus and get off at Joruri-ji Temple bus stop, walk for 40 mins.

Red maple leaves period: Mid November

Ikkyu-ji Temple

This is the graveyard of the monk Ikkyu Sojun. There are many red maple leaves along the path to the hall. There are also some popular foods called Ikkyu-ji Temple Natto (the soybeans fermented).
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Treasure hall 9:30am to 4:30pm) Fee: 500 Yen for Secondary school, 250 Yen for children Fee( Tea Room虎丘庵): 1000 Yen per person ( Special visit: at least 3 people)

Address:

102 Takigisatonouchi, Kyotanabe

  • Get off at Tanabe station by Kintetsu Railway, walk for 25mins.
  • Get off at Tanabe station by Kintetsu Railway, get on Keihan bus for 13 mins and get off at Ikkyu-ji Temple Bus stop, walk for 5 mins.
  • Get off at Kyotanabe station by JR Railway, walk for 20 mins.
  • At Kyoto Station, get on Keihan bus and get off at Ikkyu-ji Temple Bus stop, walk for 5mins
  • 有料駐車場あり

Red maple leaves period: Mid to late November

Epilogue Besides the tourist spots mentioned above, there are still many options for red leaves at the suburbs and outside the city. Let‘s try some new locations to enjoy the red leaves!

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