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.
2019, the 1st year of Reiwa
Overview
果報は寝て待てニャー
As the Japanese old saying goes, “Good news comes to us while sleeping.”
We are still in early September and have nothing particular. In early November, I show you what’s going on in Kyoto.
From now on, enjoy the last year’s autumn leaves. You can see the way they turns their colors.
In last year, 2018, rural mountain area, Tenjuan temple, Korinin temple and Komyoin temple lived up our expectations but the other places went into Migoro later than expected.
3rd November
Now we are in November and the autumn leaves season of this year is starting.
The laeves are still in green. Usual year, we have more red leaves. I suppose the autumn leaves season of this year comes later than expected.
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.
