Automn 2024 Japan

7 Places to See in Kyoto in Autumn 2024

Kyoto in the Fall is beautiful, there is a proper combination of past events, wild life, and mulberry gradation that makes one look away into nowhere in a rather poetic manner. Come autumn 2024, Kyoto is directly interchangeable with the presence of reds, orange, and yellow. There is no way that this is not an elaborately staged photograph that has jumped out of an Instagram post. Do you want to indulge into temples, gardens, or a basic pleasure of walking while looking for colorful leaves? Don’t you dare question. Now sit back and relax as we bring you 7 of the best places to enjoy the autumn sights of Kyoto. And just to make it even better, a little wit and sarcasm will be injected intot the text.

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Oh the Kiyomizu-dera; Or simply Kiyomizu, it is built atop some hill, walk in Vowell’s building and get such an invigorating view that you might think of actually becoming a monk and meditating within these walls everyday for a short moment. Famous for its balcony – it feels as if this temple was created ONLY for taking pictures of autumn leaves. You can’t help but feel as if you have entered a kind of video game based on a colourful autumn, with radiant palette of red and orange and your only task to take pictures of leaves and rediscover enlightenment. And the sporadic bonus: the Otowa Waterfall gives away holy water which apparently brings happiness, but if it is overflowing with pictures of leaves, one is happy anyway.

2. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Togetsukyo Bridge

You prepared yourself for this vision and as soon as you get to Arashiyama in autumn you are in the middle of a fairy tale…but a fairy tale where you get a little lost in again. The Bamboo Grove is so attractive that, amid the thick green stalks, one can hardly refrain from saying “put down your mobile phone and enjoy the day”, but, let’s be real for a second, how many times have you done that? Later, walk on the Togetsukyo Bridge from which a blanket made of autumn leaves overlaps the view. It’s so picturesque; one would think that Kyoto had hired a professional leaf placer to arrange the leaves on the trees in the best possible way. (Spoiler: it's all Mother Nature – she knows what she's doing).

3. Fushimi Inari Taisha

It is somewhere in the heart of every traveller – the travelling of the world, especially the one that involves the endless red torii gates. Now, picture all those gates but encased in colorful autumnal foliage. If you make a climb to Fushimi Inari during fall, there is a flood of colors splashed on the pathway ahead which is hidden with the trees—red and yellow colors. It’s like the first stage is a contest between nature and human creations and nature succeeds.

While you’re there, ask the fox spirits for a bit more luck. I know you would agree that every now and then, we all do need some favor from the supernatural foxes.

4. Philosopher’s Path

For anyone seeking to do some walking and pondering on the great questions of life (such as what's for dinner), it has to be Philosopher’s Path. This tranquil walk along the side of the canal has great tree coverage which is quite colourful during fall, which makes it feel like a magical fairy tale. There is even just the pretense of being wise and strong in battle during the course of an admission walk. And since you're already doing it, should I take some pictures and put the best philosophical quotes on them? (“Do we part with our love when we cast the leaves?” What is suffice is a heavy leaf shot at this point).

5. Tofuku-ji Temple

If you are a catholic of bridges (and who doesn't?), Tofuku-ji Temple’s Tsutenkyo Bridge will put you straight in the heart of a painting. The views from this wooden marvel are breathtaking as all the sp in full autumn colors. The crawling reds and yellows beneath the span makes you wonder did Kyoto hire a seasonal shrimp head expert. Sure the low points can be quite low, but you are always free to whip out your most creative “look where you are’ oasis” mechanics. It is just because the view is so breathtaking that you wetch such a stress filled compliment associated with eyefuls.

6. Kodaiji Temple

Kodaiji Temple is perfect for those who prefer to view the beautiful fall foliage during the day and light dramas in the nighttime. During the day, the temple’s gardens attract with bright colors of maple leaves and ginkgo trees. At Night, the autumn night forest is transformed into a world of lights- or in Levenson's words, the modern glimmering concept embraces step into a fantasy realm. Just keep in mind, while the but the leaves may seem to shimmer with the mystical glow – it is good old electricity that makes it happen. And perhaps a little of Kyoto dust.

7. Eikando Temple

Eikando is for the discerning visitor who must see one highlight difference autumn in Kyoto. This is the place where the leaves of the trees go deep red. Like if the trees held a mic- ‘okay lets show everyone why its fall.’ The Tahoto Pagoda allows the viewer to grasp the intricate scene in its totality, and as if that were not enough, the night falls and with it joy to a graced dream. We recommend to take a bunch of tissues as joys will overflow and can astonish ourselves as to how breathtaking this world really can be. And if beauty does not make you cry, perhaps a huge flock of leaf lovers will.

Bonus Tip: Enjoy The Sweets Of Kyoto In Autumn Because Looking At Leaves Makes You Hungry

Autumn cold snacks in Kyoto are a great incentive for your wanderings in the fall. And you can find such delights as roasted potatoes, sweets made of chestnuts and kuri kinton(candied chestnuts.) In Kyoto, which has always been culturally and aesthetically inclined towards partiality, do not be astonished when your busy schedule for snacks turns to be a musings in monasticism regarding the coexistence of taste and unadulterated autumn. Or just as a reason to have more sweetness anyway, it is a positive attitudinal shift.

Taking all into consideration, autumn 2024 in Kyoto promises to be surprisingly beautiful, with the contrast of bright fall colors of the temples and gardens, mountains of the city. Autumn in Kyoto has its own charm, be it the wonderful views of Kiyomizu-dera or the tranquil walks amidst nature in Tofuku-ji. So it is time to take out your favorite fall scarf, a camera bag with a full battery and memory card, and prepare for a lovely, historic (and a bit funny, I hope) season.

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Image: Kyoto Automn Colors at Ryoan-ji