Tips · Japan
Kyoto Autumn Leaves: When and Where Should You Go?
Kyoto's guide names mid-November to early December as autumn-leaf season. Where to go, Sep-Dec weather, what to wear, a 3-day plan and crowd tips.
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The short answer
The Kyoto guide names mid-November to early December as the most beautiful time for autumn colors. The exact timing changes every year, so check the official autumn-leaf forecast before you go.
Plan your leaf walk around the Philosopher's Path, which the guide calls loveliest in autumn season, and nearby Ginkaku-ji. This period is extremely crowded with higher hotel prices, so mix the subway, JR and private railways and visit the big sights early in the morning.
When do the colors come?
The Kyoto guide lists mid-November to early December (autumn colors), together with late March to early April (cherry blossoms), as the city's most beautiful times. They are also extremely crowded, with higher hotel prices.
The exact timing of the leaves changes every year. Check the official autumn-leaf forecast before you fix your dates, and again just before you leave.
Where to see them: the guide's picks
The place the guide singles out for autumn season is the Philosopher's Path, a canal-side walk. Pair it with nearby Ginkaku-ji.
Other sights from the guide's itinerary fit well into an autumn walk. Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its wooden stage over the hillside; combine it with the old Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes. Arashiyama, close to the bamboo grove and river, is great in the early morning, and Kinkaku-ji is known for its gold-leaf pavilion reflected in a pond.
Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle charge entry; Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove are free.
Late-autumn weather and what to wear
Below are 1991–2020 normals from the Japan Meteorological Agency, Kyoto station: average high / average low / monthly rainfall.
In the leaf season from mid-November to early December, daytime highs are around 12-17°C and morning lows around 4-8°C. September-October get more rain, while November-December see less rain.
September is still warm with highs of 29°C. In November bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings; in December pack a warm coat.
- September: 29°C / 21°C / 179 mm
- October: 23°C / 14°C / 143 mm
- November: 17°C / 8°C / 74 mm
- December: 12°C / 4°C / 57 mm
A short autumn itinerary
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days in Kyoto. Following its 3-day plan, the Philosopher's Path, loveliest in autumn season, falls on the last day.
The guide's daily budgets per person: about 8,000-10,000 yen (guesthouse, buses, simple meals), about 18,000-25,000 yen (hotel, entry fees, restaurant meals) and about 40,000 yen+ (ryokan, kaiseki dinner, taxis). Keep in mind that hotel prices rise in leaf season.
- Day 1: Fushimi Inari early, Kiyomizu-dera and the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes in the afternoon, then an evening walk in Gion
- Day 2: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and riverside in the morning, Kinkaku-ji in the afternoon, then Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi
- Day 3: Nijo Castle in the morning, the Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji in the afternoon, then on to Osaka or Kansai Airport
Getting there and around
Kyoto has no airport. From Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station, the limited express train takes about 1 hour 20 minutes with no change and costs about 2,000-3,600 yen depending on the ticket. The airport limousine bus takes about 1 hour 30 minutes for about 2,500-3,000 yen, but traffic can cause delays. If you are also visiting Osaka, trains via Osaka (about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours) are another option.
City buses reach nearly every temple and shrine but get very crowded and slow in peak season. Mixing them with the subway (the north-south Karasuma Line and the east-west Tozai Line) and JR or private railways for outer sights such as Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama is much faster. An IC card (ICOCA and others) works on trains, subways and buses.
Beating the leaf-season crowds
The guide warns that leaf season is extremely crowded, with higher hotel prices. Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning when there are fewer people. Staying in Arashiyama makes early mornings easy; it is about 30 minutes by train from the center.
Many temples and shrines close around 5 pm, with last entry earlier. Check official opening times and see the big sights in the morning. Some lanes in Gion are private with no entry or photography, so follow the signs.
Kyoto charges a separate accommodation tax, and some small shops and temple ticket counters are cash only. Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures before you travel.
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FAQ
When should I go to see Kyoto's autumn leaves?
The guide names mid-November to early December as the most beautiful time for autumn colors. The exact timing changes every year, so check the official autumn-leaf forecast before you go.
Where are the best places to see the leaves?
The guide singles out the Philosopher's Path as loveliest in autumn season. Walk it together with nearby Ginkaku-ji.
What is Kyoto's weather like in November?
Japan Meteorological Agency normals for Kyoto station (1991–2020) give November an average high of 17°C, an average low of 8°C and 74 mm of rain. Bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings.
How many days do I need in leaf season?
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days. It is a very crowded time, so mix the subway, JR and private railways and visit popular sights in the morning.
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