Overview
- In this article, we see forecasts of autumn leaves in the center of Kyoto, Takao, Ohara, and the suburb area.
- The following are the best time of each area; Ohara and Takao: Mid-November, Most of the center of the Kyoto and its suburb area: Mid-November to late-November, and other places: Early-December.
- It is impossible to predict the exact days to admire autumn leaves because they turn their colors depending on natural phenomena like weather, temperature, and so on.
This article is for your reference. We cannot foresee the best time to admire autumn leaves exactly. We are not responsible any disadvantage you have.
Migoro, 見頃, the best time to admire autumn leaves
What does the word Migoro mean?
Migoro means the best time to admire something in Japanese. Of course we have Migoro of autumn leaves. Take a look at the picture above. It shows us nothing but Migoro. The maple leaves are in full bloom. Absolutely the best time. However, the best time to admire autumn leaves is not the time we can see them in full bloom.
Do you think it is the best time to adore the autumn leaves in the photo? We think it is the perfect time though some of the leaves are on the ground. Actually, it is a magnificent opportunity we have only one time a decade: The vermilion leaves are in full bloom and the yellow ginkgo and red maple leaves are so fresh and brilliant in colors because they has just fallen on the ground.
In addition to it, this also is Migoro though most of all leaves are gone because we can praise the leaves on the ground.
As we see, “the best time” to admire autumn leaves means rather a long period of time. In fact, “the best time” lasts nearly for a week usually.
It is a peculiar thing on Migoro of autumn leaves. For example, the Migoro of Sakura is a time it is in full bloom and it lasts only for a couple of days.
The following is a summary of Migoro of Autumn leaves spots of Kyoto. It is made on my experiences for couples of years. As I described at the beginning, it is not possible to foresee Migoro. This is just for your reference.
| Rural mountain area | |
| Kifune area | Mid-November |
| Rengeji temple | |
| Ohara area | Mid-November |
| Jissoin temle | Mid-November |
| Rurikoin temple | Mid-November |
| Takao area | Mid-November |
| Rakuto area | |
| Eikando temple | Late-November |
| Tenjuan temple | Mid-November |
| Shisendo temple | Late-November |
| Philosophor’s path | Late-November |
| Ginkakuji temple | Late-November |
| Enkoji temple | Late-November |
| Konpukuji temple | Late-November |
| Sekizan Zenin | Late-November |
| Konkaikomyoji temple | Late-November |
| Rakunan area | |
| Tofukuji temple | Late-November |
| Komyoin temple | Late-November |
| Sennyji temple | Late-November |
| Toji temple | Late-November |
| Byodoin temple | Late Nov to early-Dec |
| Late | |
| Kamigamo shrine | Late Nov to early-Dec |
| Korinin temple | Late Nov to early-Dec |
| Ryoanji temple | Late Nov to early-Dec |
| Kinkakuji temple | Mid to late-November |
| Ninnnaji temple | Mid to late-November |
| Kitanotenmangu shrine | Late Nov to early-Dec |
| Arashiyama area | Mid to late-November |
| Jikishian temple | Mid to late-November |
| Higashiyama area | |
| Yasaka shrine | Early-Decmber |
| Kenninji temple | Early-Decmber |
| Kiyomizudera temple | Late-November |
| Kodaiji temple | Late-November |
| Syorenin temple | Late-November |
Migoro comes from north
Geographical reason
Kyoto is in basin. In the northern mountain areas, like Ohara and Takao (the brown area in the map), maple leaves start to turn their colors. Sometimes, the brown area grows into the green area, including the vermilion area (Arashiyama) and blue areas (Kinkakuji and Higashiyama area).
The best time:
- The brown area・・・・・Early to mid-November
- The other area (the center of Kyoto)・・・・Mid-November to early December.
About the center of Kyoto
In the center of Kyoto, Autumn leaves bloom doesn’t depend on geographical factor. I have no idea what the reason is they are in Migoro in these ways.
- Mid November・・・Tenjuan temple, Nanzenji temple, Shinnyodo temple, etc.
- Late November・・・Ryoanji temple, Korinin temple, Komyoin temple, etc.
- Early December・・・Yasaka shrine, Kenninji temple, etc.
How do maple leaves go into autumn leaves?
When Sakura season is over in early April, maple tree has tiny flowers.
Aoi matsuri festival is on in May, the flowers are off.
In June, we are in the best season for “Ao Momiji (Green maple leaves).”
Around September, some of the trees has red leaves.
In November, we have Migoro.
Top 10 places
2022
11/23
Kiyomizudera, Ginkakuji, Eikando, Rurikoin, and Hogonin are in Migoro. HURRY!!!
11/12
Takao area, the Zengarden of Tenjuan, and Shinyodo is in Migoro. Other places are about 40%.
11/6
Some leaves are in Migoro but the others are about 20%. I suppose Migoro of Kyoto will arrive around 11/20.
We can’t guarantee the EXACT DATE.
11/5
Now Tenjuan temple is in Migoro. Earlier than expected.
10/30
At Eikando temple, some leaves start to change their colors.
We can find red leaves there.
The leaves of Tenjuan temple gave me the green light to enter.
At the Zen garden, the leaves are on the verge of Migoro (best time to admire) . I suppose they are in Migoro in the next weekend.
Some leaves near the pond are extraordinary!
10/2
At Eikando temple, some leaves changes their colors.
The leaves of Tenjuan are in vermilion as though we were in late October.
This photo is taken on 10/24/2021
Take a look at the first photo. The leaves changes their colors gradually. In the end, all of them are in red, yellow, and other brilliant colors. Then they scatter. In the second photo, there are lots of red leaves on the ground.
Take a look at the branches in the red circle. Some leaves changes their color and they fall off of the branches though other leaves are still in green. This year, we can find such branches anywhere.
9/24
We can find vermilion leaves in Kinkakuji temple.
Some leaves are gone. The migoro of 2022 would come earlier than expected.
9/1
Kiyomizudera is like this. In many places, we find maple leaves in such color.
Tenjuan. As though we found ourselves in October.
Tenjuan has two gardens and there are some “autumn leaves” there.
It’s so weird. We still are in the Aomomiji season.
6/5
The maple leaves of Tenjuan are changing the color like this. We can find “autumn leaves” in many places in Kyoto this year.
Usually, we find such leaves in early October,
