Kyoto Fall Foliage Forecast 2026

For central Kyoto temples, peak autumn colors typically appear between November 20 and December 5, although the exact timing changes each year. Warmer autumns in recent years have delayed the peak by around 7 to 10 days compared with historical averages.

Before heading out, check the latest foliage updates from the Japanese Meteorological Corporation, especially if your visit falls near the beginning or end of the season.

Kyoto’s autumn colors usually arrive in stages, depending on the type of tree.

• Ginkgo leaves (Icho): The yellow leaves usually appear first, from mid to late November. Good places to see them include Horikawa Street and the grounds of Nishi Hongan-ji.
• Maple leaves (Momiji): The famous red maple season typically follows, reaching its best from late November to early December. You’ll find some of the most impressive displays in temple gardens throughout Higashiyama and Arashiyama.

If you are planning a trip to Kyoto in autumn, checking the latest Japan fall foliage forecast 2026 before booking your dates is a good way to avoid arriving too early or too late.

Getting Around Kyoto During Peak Foliage Season

Best Train Lines for Autumn Foliage Spots

• Keihan Main Line: One of the most convenient options for southern and eastern Kyoto. It connects Fushimi Inari Taisha and Tofuku-ji with Gion-Shijo and Sanjo, making it easy to combine multiple foliage spots in one day.
• Tozai Subway Line: Get off at Keage Station for easy access to Nanzen-ji and Eikando, two of Kyoto’s most famous autumn color spots.
• JR Sagano Line: The fastest way to reach Arashiyama from Kyoto Station. The ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes around 17 minutes and avoids the heavy road traffic around western Kyoto.
• Randen Tram (Keifuku Electric Railroad): A scenic way to reach Arashiyama from the city center, especially if you want to avoid the crowded roads near the Togetsukyo Bridge area.

If you are arriving from Kansai International Airport with large suitcases, a private airport transfer can be worth considering. It allows you to send your luggage directly to your hotel and start sightseeing without worrying about finding storage space at busy stations.

Top 5 Must-See Autumn Spots in Kyoto

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

From the famous wooden stage, you can look out over the surrounding hills covered with maple trees, which usually turn their best shades of red from late November to early December.

• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Seasonal night illuminations may extend opening hours until around 9:30 PM, with last entry at 9:00 PM)

• Admission Fee: ¥500

• Access: About a 25-minute uphill walk from Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.

2. Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji is known for the maple trees spreading across the Sengyokukan Valley around Tsutenkyo Bridge. The view from the bridge is especially impressive when the valley turns red and orange, usually from mid to late November.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Opening times may be adjusted during the peak autumn season)

• Admission Fee: ¥1,000 (Includes Tsutenkyo Bridge and Honbo Garden)

• Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR or Keihan Tofukuji Station.

3. Eikando Temple (Zenrin-ji)

Eikando is especially known for the maple trees surrounding Tahoto Pagoda and Hojo Pond. With more than 3,000 maple trees across the grounds, the temple offers beautiful views from its hillside paths, wooden corridors, and garden viewpoints.

• Best Time for Autumn Colors: Late November to early December

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Autumn night illumination is held seasonally, usually in the evening)

• Admission Fee: ¥1,000 during the autumn foliage season

• Access: About a 15-minute walk from Tozai Subway Keage Station.

4. Tenryu-ji & Arashiyama

The UNESCO-listed Sogenchi Garden is famous for its traditional landscape design, where maple trees around the garden blend with the mountain scenery behind the pond.

• Best Time for Autumn Colors: Mid to late November

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

• Admission Fee: ¥500 (Garden only), additional ¥300 for main hall access

• Access: About a 13-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.

5. Nanzen-ji & Tenju-an Sub-Temple

Nanzen-ji combines historic architecture with colorful maple trees. The temple’s famous San-mon Gate offers elevated views over the surrounding trees, while the nearby Suirokaku Aqueduct creates one of the most recognizable photo spots in the area.

Inside the Nanzen-ji grounds, Tenju-an is a quieter sub-temple with two elegant gardens featuring moss, stepping stones, and seasonal maple views from its wooden verandas.

• Best Time for Autumn Colors: Late November to early December

• Opening Hours: 8:40 AM – 5:00 PM (Tenju-an: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

• Admission Fee: Nanzen-ji grounds are free; San-mon Gate ¥600; Tenju-an ¥600

• Access: About a 10-minute walk from Tozai Subway Keage Station.

Best Temple Night Illuminations

These temple special events usually take place from late October through early December, although dates and hours vary by temple.

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji's maple trees, bamboo grove, and garden landscape are beautifully lit after dark, with the reflection of the illuminated scenery appearing on Garyu-chi Pond.

• Event Period: Late October – Early December

• Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM)

• Admission Fee: ¥600

• Access: About a 15-minute walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station.

Kiyomizu-dera Night Viewing

Kiyomizu-dera's illuminated wooden stage overlooks the hillside, where the surrounding maple trees create a striking contrast against the evening sky.

• Event Period: Late November – Early December

• Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Last entry 9:00 PM)

• Admission Fee: ¥500

• Access: About a 25-minute uphill walk from Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.

Daigo-ji Temple

Daigo-ji provides a quieter alternative to some of Kyoto’s more famous night viewing spots. The illuminated Bentendo Hall, red bridge, and pond reflection create one of the temple’s most memorable autumn scenes.

• Event Period: Mid-November – Early December

• Hours: 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM (Last entry 8:10 PM)

• Admission Fee: ¥1,000 (Advance reservation may be recommended during busy periods)

• Access: About a 10-minute walk from Tozai Subway Daigoji Station.

Best Places in Kyoto for Autumn Leaves Away from Crowds

If you prefer a quieter experience, consider heading to northern Kyoto, smaller temple gardens, or larger open spaces where you can enjoy autumn colors at a slower pace.

• Adashino Nenbutsu-ji: Located deeper in the Sagano area, beyond the busiest part of Arashiyama, this temple offers a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by thousands of stone Buddhist statues and maple trees. The contrast between the red leaves and rows of stone statues makes it one of Kyoto’s most unique autumn scenes.
  Admission Fee: ¥500

• Shinnyo-do Temple: A quieter temple in eastern Kyoto known for its beautiful autumn colors, three-story pagoda, and spacious grounds. The temple is especially appealing for travelers who want a more relaxed alternative to crowded Higashiyama temples.
  Admission Fee: Free (some areas may require payment during special openings)

• Kyoto Gyoen (Imperial Palace Park): This large park in central Kyoto is a good option for a casual autumn walk. Wide gravel paths, old trees, and open spaces make it easy to enjoy seasonal colors without the crowds found at famous temple gardens.
  Admission Fee: Free

• Takao (Jingo-ji Temple): Located in the mountains north of Kyoto, Takao reaches peak autumn colors earlier than many city temples, often from early to mid-November. The area combines mountain scenery, temple grounds, and riverside walking paths for a completely different autumn experience.
  Access: About 50 minutes by JR Bus from Kyoto Station

• Kurama-dera to Kifune Shrine Trail: This mountain route offers one of Kyoto’s most scenic autumn walks. The trail passes through cedar forests and maple-covered paths, connecting two famous mountain temples and shrines in northern Kyoto.
  Access: Around 1 hour by Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station

Kyoto Temple Photography & Tips

During Kyoto’s autumn foliage season, popular temples can become crowded, so following a few simple rules helps protect historic buildings and keeps the experience comfortable for everyone.

Photography Tips for Kyoto Autumn Leaves

• Avoid blocking walkways while taking photos, especially on narrow temple paths and bridges.
• Do not climb fences or enter restricted areas for a better angle.
• Ask before photographing people in traditional clothing or private religious ceremonies.
• Early morning and weekday visits usually offer better conditions for photography, with fewer people and softer light.

3-Day Kyoto Autumn Foliage Itinerary

A three-day itinerary gives you enough time to visit the major highlights while leaving room for quieter autumn spots.

Day 1: Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama

• Morning: Visit Nara Park, where autumn leaves create a beautiful backdrop around temples, ponds, and the famous deer.

• Midday: Continue to Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk through the iconic torii gates surrounded by forest scenery.

• Afternoon: Explore Arashiyama, including Tenryu-ji Temple, the Bamboo Grove, and the riverside area.

Day 2: Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera Area & Uji Area

• Morning: Start at Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), where autumn foliage adds seasonal colors around the temple pond.

• Afternoon: Explore the Kiyomizu-dera area, including the temple viewpoint and traditional streets around Higashiyama.

• Late Afternoon: Head to Uji for Byodo-in Temple, tea shops, and riverside autumn scenery.

Day 3: Customized Kyoto Autumn Foliage Route

The best autumn foliage route can change depending on the season, weather, and your travel style. A private customizable tour allows you to explore less accessible areas or create a route based on your interests.

Possible destinations include:

• Takao: Mountain temples and earlier autumn colors away from central Kyoto.
• Oharano: Quiet temple gardens surrounded by hills and maple trees.
• Kurama & Kibune: Forest scenery, mountain temples, and a different side of Kyoto.

Kyoto Autumn Leaves FAQs