THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE
- Page 1 Introduction, #1 Eikando, #Tofukuji
- Page 2 #3 Kitano Tenmangu, #4 Kinkakuji, #5 Ginkakuji
- Page 3 #6 Ryoanji, #7 Toji
- Page 4 #8 Kiyomizudera, #9 Ninnaji, #10 Nisonin
The following is the contents of this article.
Top 10 popular Autumn leaves spots in Kyoto
Overview
As a forcast of the autumn leaves in Kyoto 2023, Kyoto Goat chooses top 10 sites among popular Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. 合掌
Entrance fee, opening hours, and the other things on these cites can change. 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.”
Schedule of 2023
- Dates 11/3日～ 12/3
- Open hours 9:00～17:00（Entrnce closes at 16:00）
- Entrance fee 1,000 JPY
Autumn leaves of Eikando 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 Ginkgo and maples leaves fell at the same time. Both of them still contain water and have fresh colors.
At the purple alien, we can see many colors.
At the vermilion alien, we can enjoy pale colors.
Night illumination 2023
- Dates 11/3日～ 12/3
- Open hours 17:30～21:00（Entrnce closes at 20:30）
- Entrance fee 600 JPY
Every year, we wait in line at the entrance
Night illumination starts at 5:37.
About Eikando temple
How to get to Eikando?
RECOMMENDED
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.
#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.
The entrance fee 11/11/2023〜12/3/2023
- Honbo Teien garden 本坊庭園 500 JPY
- Tsuten Bashi Kaizando 通天橋・開山堂 1,000 JPY
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/ Karesansui garden.
Komyoin temple is located near Tofukuji. Don’t miss it.
Night illumination
- Dates 11/18～12/3
- Open hours 17:00～19:30（Entrance closes at 19:00）
- Entrance fee 2,800 JPY
- Make reservation at Souda Kyoto Iko website(in Japanese).
We can enjoy the view from Tsuten Bashi bridge and the Karesansui garden is illuminated.
About Tofukuji temple
How to get to Tofukuji temple?
About 10 minutes walk from JR/Heihan Tofukuji station.
