Top 10 popular Autumn leaves spots in Kyoto
Overview
As a forcast of the autumn leaves in Kyoto 2022, Kyoto Goat chooses top 10 sites among popular Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
Entrance fee, opening hours, and the other things on these cites are subject to be changed. Please check official website of them.
#1 Eikando temple a.k.a. Zenrinji temple 永観堂（禅林寺）
Overview
Eikando, also known as Zenrinji temple is the most famous autumn leaves site in Kyoto. It has about 3,000 maple trees in the area and is sometimes referred as “Eikando, the autumn leaves.” In the main hall, “Turning-around Amidaba.”
Fall Foliage 永観堂の紅葉
The garden
At Eikando, we are in the midst of stunning autumn colors like green, purple, red, and yellow. It never failed to take our breath away and to come up to our expectations. We cannot have such amazing experience in any other places.
At the red alien in the map, we can admire the most amazing autumn leaves in Eikando. The ginkos and maples fell at the same time. Both of them still contain water and have fresh colors. The photo was taken in 2016. To our regret, they didn’t fall at the same time in 2017.
At the purple alien, we can see many colors.
At the vemilion alien, we can enjoy pale colors.
Illumination
At night time, Eikando is illuminated. This year’s schedule was not yet announced.
The schedule in 2017:From November 7th to December 6th. From18:00~21:00
It would be better to be Eikando before 18:00 because people wait in line in front of the entrance.
About Eikando temple
Name: Syujuu Raigozan Muryojyuin Zenrinji 聖衆来迎山無量寿院禅林寺
De facto name: Eikando temple
Adress Eikando cho 84, Sakyo ward, Kyoto city, 〒606-8445
Phone No. 075-761-0007
FAXNo. 075-771-4243
Website Eikando official
Usual Opeining hours 9:00～17:00（Etrance is closed at 16:00）
Entrance fee Adult 600 yen
Time required 1hour～
How to get to Eikando temple?
From JR Kyoto station
At subway Kyoto station, take Karasuma line to Karasuma Oike station. At Karasuma Oike station, change train to subway Tozai line to Keage station. It takes about 15 minutes from Keage station to Eikando.
Kyoto city bus
NO.5 Nanzenji Eikando michi bus stop.
No.32、93、100、102、203、204 Higashi temno cho bus stop.
Attention In the autumn leaves season, buses, mostly No.5、100、102 are often crowded. It would be better to go to Eikando by train. If you wanted more information, check the link below.
#2 Tofukuji temple 東福寺
Overview
Tofukuji used to be famous for cherry blossoms. In Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), cherry blossom trees replaced with Maple trees. Now it is one of the most popular place to admire autumn leaves in Kyoto.
Around Tsuten bashi bridge
At the red alien in the map, there is a bridge named Tsuten bashi. It is located outside of Tofukuji temple. Last two years, it is prohibited to take photo on it. These photos are take couples of years ago.
After the entracne, we can see the beatiful leaves as those of Eikando’s.
Zen garden
At the blue alien, we can enjoy moss-zen garden composed by Mirei Shigemori, a famous garden designer in the 20th century.
At green alien, we glace the autumn leaves far from the Zen garden.
About Tofukuji temple
Name: Enichizan Tofukuji 慧日山東福寺
Adress Honcho15−778, Higashiyama ward, Kyoto city 〒605-0981
Phone No. 075-561-0087
FAX No. 075-533-0621
Website Tofukuji official
Usual Opeining hours
April～October 9:00～16:00
November～Early December 8:30～16:00
Late December 9:00～15:30
Entrance fee Adult 400 yen
Time required 1hour～
How to get to Tofukuji temple?
About 10 minutes walk from JR/Heihan Tofukuji station.
