Know Before You Go: Visiting Kyoto in Autumn

Kyoto is beloved for its many historic Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines—in fact, it has a greater concentration than most other Japanese cities because it escaped widespread damage during World War II. Naturally, then, these are major features on a Kyoto itinerary at any time of year, but temple and shrine grounds are especially beautiful in fall, thanks to the changing colors of the foliage.

Japanese maple and gingko trees are abundant and ablaze in fall, and are a photographer’s delight when paired with the dark wood, vermillion red, and metallic accents of traditional religious buildings.

Did you know?: Flower and foliage viewing is a major pastime in Japan throughout the year, and many locals closely follow weather forecasts and “foliage reports” to plan their visits to gardens and forests at the best times.

Related: 9 of the Top Temples and Shrines in Kyoto

With more than 2,000 temples and shrines—many of which are set within beautiful gardens or wooded areas—you won’t have a hard time finding places to see fall foliage in Kyoto. Some spots are especially famous, though, with especially attractive trees or photographic settings.

If you want to explore a general area, head to Arashiyama in Kyoto’s west, where there are many religious sites located at the base of the forested Arashiyama Mountains. More central, the hilltop Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Tofuku-ji Temple are some of the best places to see fall foliage in Kyoto. Kodai-ji Temple is also worth visiting in the evenings, when it hosts an autumn light show—it’s one of many temples to host after-dark illuminations.

Many of Kyoto’s top religious attractions are open from dawn until dusk, or during general business hours: opening around 8am to 9:30am, and closing between 4pm and 5pm. Some grounds are open 24/7, even if the buildings themselves aren’t. Just note that the sun sets earlier in Kyoto in fall than in summer, at around 5pm, but this varies by month.

Additionally, some outdoor attractions (including temple grounds) close before it gets dark, but others put on special autumn illuminations, so you’ll still find some attractions open in the evening, until around 9pm. You can watch evening shows at Nijo-jo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji Temple, Shoren-in Temple, Entoku-in Temple, and Kennin-ji Temple, among others.

Fall is peak tourism season in Kyoto, along with spring, so you’ll have a full range of tours to choose from. Group sightseeing trips take you to many of the city’s highlights and are a good way to get an overview, while customizable private tours are ideal if you’d like to see some more offbeat areas or niche temples or shrines (among the possible 2,000!) that the main tours don’t always visit.

Some specialist foliage-viewing excursions showcase the best spots for this seasonal activity—these may change the itinerary depending on where the fall colors are best at the time. Some other Kyoto tours focus on food or drink, especially local sake.

Aside from the natural drawcard of Kyoto’s autumn leaves and the nightly illuminations held around the city, Kyoto hosts several other festivals throughout the fall. These kick off with the Autumn Moon Viewing festival in mid-September, around the night of the full moon—also known as the harvest moon in September. Several temples and shrines host moon-viewing parties.

Then, every year on October 22, you can catch the Jidai Matsuri—a traditional festival that includes a parade with people wearing historical dress. Finally, in early November, check out the Gion Odori dances in the Gion Higashi geisha district.

As fall in Kyoto spans from late September to mid-December, the weather varies quite a bit during this time. Late September can still be quite summery, with lingering humidity and heat, and even the tail end of the stormy typhoon season. Temperatures may still be as high as 85°F (30°C).

Meanwhile, October is usually cooler and clearer, and November is even more so. Expect cool or cold nights but bright days of around 65–70°F (18–22°C), although daytime temperatures drop throughout November. Early December weather can be wintery, although some of the fall leaves are still at their best. Days may be around 50°F (10°C) or colder, but it’s unlikely to be rainy.

What you wear in Kyoto in fall depends on whether you’re visiting toward the start or the end of the season, or somewhere in between. Temperatures are warmer in September and October than in November or December. Make sure to bring a light jacket—or a heavier one for later in the season—that packs up small, such as a down jacket.

Long pants and light sweaters are also suitable for daytime wear, as well as a pair of comfortable flats or sneakers. Parts of Kyoto are hilly or cobblestoned, and temple grounds often have uneven stone areas, so practical shoes are essential. Japanese people typically dress tidily in public, so aim for smart-casual wear.

Insider tip: Rooms in Japanese hotels or inns are typically small, so it’s a good idea to pack light and not bring a large case. Pack versatile clothes in neutral colors that you can mix and match, and shoes that can go from day to night without looking out of place.

Kyoto is partially accessible for travelers with mobility issues, such as wheelchair users. In general, Japan makes great efforts to accommodate travelers and residents with disabilities, and modern public places such as train stations, department stores, and public transportation are usually quite accessible.

However, Kyoto is an ancient city with many attractions that are hundreds of years old. Practically, not all attractions—especially those with important cultural value—can be altered to make them fully accessible. Also, parts of Kyoto are hilly. But, the city is home to literally thousands of temples and shrines, and many of these are either fully or partially accessible, so travelers with varying accessibility needs should be able to have a rich time here.

• Which months are autumn in Kyoto? Japan is a long country, so autumn falls at slightly different times from north to south. Kyoto is in southern Honshu (although it’s more commonly referred to as being in western Japan), and fall typically runs from late September through to early December. The fall foliage is usually at its best from late November to early December. Weather may be quite summery in late September, and wintery in early December.

• Is Kyoto crowded in fall? Yes, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations and can be crowded throughout the year; however, fall is among the busiest times to visit. Additionally, Japan is a heavily populated country (Kyoto is home to some 1.4 million people), so daily life on public transportation and in shopping centers can also be crowded. It’s just a fact of life—and travel—in Japan.

• How can I beat the crowds in Kyoto in fall? Visit the most popular attractions—Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, etc.—and major shopping areas midweek rather than on the weekends. The weekends are better times to visit smaller, lesser-known spots that can still be very beautiful and atmospheric but perhaps don’t make it to the ‘gram as often. Also try to time your visits to the popular places for early in the morning. If you’re a night owl, or afflicted with jet lag, some temple grounds are even open throughout the night, and safety in Japan is usually good (with sensible precautions).

• What are some good day trip destinations from Kyoto? While there’s a lot to see and do in Kyoto, there are also many good day trip destinations nearby. For a big-city escape, head to Osaka, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) away. Another ancient capital, Nara, is about a 28-mile (45-kilometer) journey. To see a rare original traditional Japanese castle (most are reconstructions), head to Himeji—it’s 80 miles (130 kilometers) from Kyoto, but less than a 1-hour ride on the bullet train.