Live Your Best Lives
Japan is considered one of the countries with the most beautiful autumn leaves in the world. Seeking the beauty of autumn leaves is called "momiji hunting" in Japanese, and the most popular place for "momiji hunting" is the ancient capital of Kyoto, which is dotted with ancient temples.
Kyotocheck the details
Kyoto, located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture in Kinki, western Japan, is an inland city nestled in the northern half of the Kyoto Basin (Yamashiro) and the eastern mountainous region of the Tamba Plateau. With a total area of 827.90 square kilometers, it accounts for 17.9% of Kyoto Prefecture's total area. It is the largest city by land area among all prefectures in Kyoto Prefecture. Located in the Kansai region of Japan, Kyoto served as the capital of Japan for a millennium, from the Heian Period to the Meiji Restoration. It is the true seat of Japanese culture and the spirit of the Yamato era. Perhaps no other city boasts as many tranquil temples and shrines as Kyoto, and its astonishing density of ancient architecture makes it one of the world's most culturally rich cities. Yet, Kyoto also possesses a worldly side. Whether rubbing shoulders with splendidly dressed geishas on Hanami-koji or catching a kabuki performance, you can experience Kyoto's worldly charm.
Recommended months: Spring and autumn are the best
5220 recommendations, 5036 visits
Generally, the best viewing period is in late November. For example, in 2019, the week from November 20th to 26th is the best of the best. By then, Kyoto will be full of red leaves, and almost everywhere will be a beautiful sight.
Rurikoin, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Enko-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple, etc. are all holy places for viewing maple leaves.
Many temples have activities to view the maple leaves at night. Generally, after the daytime opening ends, tourists will be cleared out (some temples do not clear the venue, such as Kodai-ji Temple). After the venue is cleared, another night session will be opened. The same ticket cannot be used for viewing.
Eikan-do, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple, Shoren-in Temple, Daigo-ji Temple and the night maple leaves in Arashiyama are all very famous, and the latter two are a little farther away.
When you arrive in Kyoto, you will see many guidebooks and posters for viewing maple leaves. It is best to refer to the official website of each temple for opening hours and special events, and of course the almighty WeChat Moments.
Because the temples are not very large, I don't recommend a wide-angle lens. A medium focal length is enough for panoramic views, and a telephoto lens is recommended for detail shots. I brought a D3X with a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm lens.
Most night maple viewing venues prohibit bringing a tripod, so it is best to bring a camera with good sensitivity. The D3's photosensitive component is an antique from more than ten years ago. High-sensitivity photos will produce various noises, and the image quality is intoxicating.
D1 Shanghai-Osaka-Kiyomizu-dera Temple-Eikando (night)
D2 Eikando-Nara Park-Kiyomizudera Temple (night)-Kodaiji Temple (night)
Day 3 Nishi Honganji Temple - Rurikoin Temple - Sagi Mori Shrine - Manshuin Temple - Enkoji Temple - Tofukuji Temple - Return to Kyoto
Attractions:
1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple Daytime View (Hanfu Photography)
2. Yongguantang (night)
transportation:
1. Flight MM080 Shanghai-Osaka 06:05-09:15
2. Kansai Airport - Kyoto: Direct bus 2 hours
3. Kyoto City Transportation: Kyoto City Bus 1-day ticket, 500 yen Accommodation: B&B in Shijo
Founded in 778, it is the oldest temple in Kyoto. It has been burned down and rebuilt several times before being listed as a World Heritage Site in 1994. In autumn, the hills below Kiyomizu-dori are covered in crimson leaves, making it a famous spot for viewing fall foliage in Kyoto.
Tips:
Red leaves viewing period: mid-November to late November
Daytime opening (during the autumn foliage viewing period):
6:00-17:30 (the venue will be cleared, so you cannot stay until night)
Ticket price: 300 yen
Transportation: City Bus No. 100, 202, 206, or 207, get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka, and walk for 15 minutes.
Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a major attraction in Kyoto no matter the season, and autumn is a truly dazzling and beautiful sight. I personally think this year's Conan theatrical release, M21 "The Crimson Love Letter," and the sweet Kyoto study story of Shinran, illustrated by Gosho Aoyama, have really boosted the popularity of Kyoto, and especially Kiyomizu-dera Temple. However, the beautiful and sweet scene of Ran kissing Shinichi on the Kiyomizu stage, set against a backdrop of crimson foliage, was unfortunately not visible this year due to maintenance.
There are many places to rent kimonos in Kyoto. You can make reservations on major travel websites, or you can choose from rental shops on the streets. The shops will also help you with your hairstyle, so you can experience the Yamato culture firsthand.
Maple leaves are called kaede in Japanese, and when they turn red, they are called momiji (红叶もみじ). The Japanese have a special fondness for red leaves, and the sound of footsteps falling on the carpet-like red leaves, the scene of the leaves dancing and falling, and the sight of them drifting on the water have long been the subject of tanka and haiku poetry.
For example, Natsume Soseki: "Red leaves are falling outside the bamboo corridor, five or six of them are about to wet my clothes."
On the north side of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, there is a pond in front of the Jounouchi-in Temple. There are also several red maple trees beside the pond. The drooping branches almost reach the water, and the fallen leaves float on the water. There are not many people here, and there is a quiet and elegant beauty.
The sunset in late autumn always comes earlier, and it starts to get dark at 4:30. As the daytime performance at Kiyomizu-dera Temple draws to a close, intermittent announcements can be heard telling everyone that the grounds will be cleared in an hour. Those who want to see the night maple leaves will need to leave first and then buy tickets to enter.
Also known as Zenrin-ji Temple, Eikan-do Temple is affectionately called "Red Leaves of Eikan-do" by the Japanese. It is one of Kyoto's most famous autumn foliage spots and has been mentioned numerous times in waka poetry from ancient times to the present day. Home to over 3,000 maple trees, the reflections of the small bridge and maple leaves in the release pond create an elegant and beautiful scene.
Tips:
Night maple season: November 7-December 6, 2017
Nighttime opening hours: 5:30-9:00 pm, ticket purchase deadline is 8:30 pm
Night maple area: Amitabha Hall, Huaxian Hall, and garden
Gagaku performances: one each at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. on holidays
transportation:
15-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Line
Take the city bus No. 5, get off at "Nanzenji Eikan-dō-michi" and walk for 5 minutes.
Take city bus No. 5, 32, 93, 100, 203, or 204 and get off at the Higashitennoji stop. It's a 10-minute walk.
Website: http://www.eikando.or.jp/
The night view of the maple leaves at Eikan-do is very famous and is definitely the most popular attraction. Therefore, the queues are very long. Eikan-do at night and during the day have their own beauty, but I prefer the night view.
Especially the courtyard surrounding the pool of water. At night, the pool water reflects the scenery on the shore like a mirror, as if there is another world under the water.
Eikan-do is the head temple of the Nishiyama Zenrin-ji sect of the Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. The most famous treasure enshrined in the temple is the standing statue of Amitabha Buddha, a nationally important cultural property.
There is a legend that goes like this: On February 15th, 1082, during morning prayers, the monk Eikan was concentrating on chanting the Buddha's name while circumambulating the hall when Amitabha Buddha suddenly descended from his throne and appeared before him, leading Eikan. Startled, Eikan stopped, and Amitabha Buddha then looked to the left and greeted him. This image became the model for the unique Amitabha Buddha statue in Eikan-do.
The courtyard is full of red leaves, and you can get very close to them. The night sky is like a natural backdrop, and facing the lights projected from the ground, it is very suitable for taking close-up photos of the leaves.
Attractions:
1. Eikan-do (Hanfu Photography)
2. Nara Park (Hanfu Photography)
3. Kiyomizudera Temple (night)
4. Kaotai Temple (night)
transportation:
1. Kyoto City Transportation: Kyoto City Bus 1-day ticket, 500 yen
2. Kyoto-Nara: Railway
Accommodation: Colors Hostel
Also known as Zenrin-ji Temple, it is affectionately called "Eikan-do of Autumn Leaves" by the Japanese. It is a popular spot among the many autumn leaves in Kyoto and has been mentioned many times in waka poems from ancient times to the present.
There are more than 3,000 maple trees planted here, and the scenery of the small bridge and maple leaves reflected in the release pond is very elegant and beautiful.
Tips:
Daytime opening hours:
9:00-17:00, ticket purchase ends at 16:00, the night show will start after the day show clears.
Temple Treasure Exhibition: November 7-December 6, 2017
Admission fee: 1,000 yen
transportation:
15-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Line
Take the city bus No. 5, get off at "Nanzenji Eikan-dō-michi" and walk for 5 minutes.
Take city bus No. 5, 32, 93, 100, 203, or 204 and get off at the Higashitennoji stop. It's a 10-minute walk.
Because I was so impressed by Eikan-do last night, I decided to come back this morning for a matinee. The maple leaves during the day have a completely different beauty from those at night. Eikan-do is definitely worth a visit again and again.
Japan's autumn foliage landscapes are primarily found in fields and gardens. Fields, with their vibrant blue skies, majestic mountains, and vibrant lakes and streams, offer a myriad of dramatic changes. Gardens, on the other hand, offer a tranquil, elegant, and captivating blend of quaint architecture and autumn leaves.
The colors during the day are richer than those at night. Red, yellow, orange, and green are intertwined together. They are different from each other and somewhat transitional. They are rich and varied yet coordinated with each other. Every angle you look at is a scenery.
Nanzen-ji Temple is the earliest Zen temple in Japan built by royal vows. It is ranked among the five mountains in Kyoto and is the temple with the highest status in Zen Buddhism.
At its peak, Nanzenji Temple boasted 60 towers, though only 12 remain today. Among its outstanding gardens are Konchi-in, Tenju-an, and Nanzen-in. This temple is ideal for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and autumn maples in autumn. Nanzenji Temple is close to Eikan-do Hall, making it a great place to visit both.
Tips:
Typical maple viewing period: mid-November to late November
Daytime opening hours: 8:40-17:00
Night maple blossom season: 2017.11.15-11.30
Night Maple Opening Hours: 17:30-21:00
Ticket purchase deadline is 20:45
Tickets: Three gates 500 yen, Abbot's Courtyard 500 yen, Nanchan-in Temple 300 yen, Night Maple 500 yen.
Access: 10-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line
Nara Park is located on Wakakusa Mountain in Nara City. Nara's famous scenic spots and historical sites such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are all here. The most famous thing is the adorable wild deer here. It is a must-see place for tourists in Nara.
Tips:
Opening hours: All day (but the temple is not open all day)
Transportation: Nara Park is a 10-15 minute walk from either Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station, with Kintetsu Nara Station being closer.
Website: http://nara-park.com/
There are also red leaves here in autumn (although not as dense), and you can take photos with deer under the red leaves, which is a very autumnal and poetic picture.
The only way to get a deer to approach you is to have a deer biscuit in your hand. The deer will come clattering over at the sight of it! But the deer here are incredibly aggressive and will snatch the biscuits and bite your clothes, so be sure to stay safe!
As a representative of Kyoto's ancient temples and a renowned spot for viewing fall foliage, Kiyomizu-dera Temple's nighttime fall foliage is also incredibly beautiful. Unlike the up-close stroll through the maple grove at Eikan-do, the maple trees are situated on a hillside, making close-up shots less appealing and more of a grand spectacle. Unfortunately, the Kiyomizu stage was under repair, so we couldn't take any photos.
Tips:
Night maple season: November 11, 2017 - December 3, 2017
Night opening hours: 5:30-9:00 pm
Ticket price: 400 yen
Transportation: Take city bus No. 100, 202, 206, or 207, get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka, and walk for about 15 minutes.
Kodai-ji Temple is where the wife of Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi spent her final years cultivating Buddhism. Built in 1605, the Kaizan-do Hall, the Mausoleum, the Umbrella Pavilion, and the Shigure-tei (Seagure Pavilion) are all designated National Treasures. The temple is a magnificent site and a renowned destination for cherry blossom and autumn foliage viewing in Kyoto.
Tips:
Best time to see: mid-November to early December
Night maple season: October 21, 2017 - December 10, 2017
Opening hours (no clearing): 9:00-22:00, ticket purchase deadline is 21:30
Ticket price: 600 yen
Transportation: Take city bus No. 202, 206, or 207, get off at Dongshan Anjing stop, and walk about 10 minutes.
Website: http://www.kodaiji.com/index.html
The most shocking thing in the temple is the maple forest beside the Wolong Pond, which is reflected in the mirror-like water. It is difficult to distinguish the boundary between reality and illusion, and it is like a dream.
There are many temples that open up to night maple leaves, but the most spectacular illuminations are at Kodai-ji Temple and Shoren-in Temple.
During the night maple season, the Abbot's Court of Kodai-ji Temple has a light and music show where the red leaves dance together. The light effects specially designed for the dry landscape garden, buildings, and red leaves are displayed in conjunction with the music, which is very cool.
After admiring the night maple leaves at Kodai-ji Temple, we headed to the Colors Hostel on Gojo in Shimogyo Ward where we were staying tonight. There was also a Hakusanyu hot spring opposite the hostel, which was perfect for a soak to relieve the fatigue of the past two days.
Attractions:
1. Nishi Honganji Ginkgo Tree
2. Rurikoin Temple
3. Lusen Shrine
4. Manshu Monastery
5. Enkoji Temple
6. Tofukuji Temple
transportation:
1. Kyoto City Transportation: Various Trams (Suica Card)
2. Kyoto-Kansai Airport: Limited Express Haruka
3. Flight ZH9056 Osaka-Beijing 18:20-20:45
Located opposite Higashi Honganji Temple, Nishi Honganji is the main temple of the Hongenji sect of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Nishi Honganji Temple is Japan's second-largest wooden architectural complex, showcasing buildings dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries and its captivating gardens.
The majestic presence of the Myei-do Hall and Amida-do Hall within the grounds is imposing. There are also several ginkgo trees within the grounds, the oldest of which is over 400 years old.
Tips:
Viewing period:
Mid-November to early December
Admission: Free
Opening Hours:
November-February: 6:00-17:00;
May-August: 6:00-18:00
Other months 5:30-17:30
transportation:
Get off at Gojo Subway Station and walk for 5 minutes;
Take city bus No. 5, 26, 86, 88, 205, 206, or 208, get off at Karasuma Nanajo stop and walk 2-3 minutes.
Website: http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/
Since I live close by, I woke up at 6:00 the next day and walked to Nishi Honganji Temple. Actually, the ginkgo trees in Kyoto are also very beautiful, but the season is a little earlier than the red leaves, and many of them have already fallen by this time.
The ginkgo trees in Higashi and Nishi Honganji are both very famous. I checked and found that the one in Higashi Honganji has fallen, but the one in Nishi Honganji is still there.
Because the courtyard opens very early, there are not many people here early in the morning. The two largest ancient ginkgo trees in the courtyard are hundreds of years old. The largest one in front of the Amitabha Hall in the north has already fallen, while the one in front of the Goei Hall in the south is just in season.
Higashi and Nishi Honganji are two of my personal favorite temples because the scale and grandeur of the buildings are truly world-class historical treasures. Nishi Honganji is the largest temple in Kyoto, and the Daishi Hall of Higashi Honganji is even larger than the Hall of Taihe in the Forbidden City.
The Eizan Railway is a key means of transportation to Kibune, Kurama, and Mount Hiei. It operates two main lines: the Kurama Line and the Eizan Main Line. Both lines pass through relatively remote areas, but are extremely popular during the autumn foliage season.
Between Ichihara Station and Ninose Station on the Kurama Line, there's a 250-meter-long red foliage tunnel. The autumn leaves on either side of the track are so close together, it feels like you're walking through a forest of red leaves, creating a fairytale-like experience. The Eizan Main Line leads to Mount Hiei, where autumn leaves blanket the mountain, and Rurikoin Temple on top of it.
Website: https://eizandensha.co.jp/
The original site of Rurikoin was a villa built by Tanaka Gentarō, a prominent politician from a prominent Kyoto family. He had prosperous political and business relations and was named "Kikaku-tei" by Sanjo Mitsumi, the Prime Minister of the Meiji period.
A major renovation took place between the Taisho and early Showa eras, commissioned by renowned Japanese architect Nakamura Gaiji and landscape architect Sano Touemon. In 2005, the temple was officially converted into a temple, known as Ryōjūzan Komōji Rurikoin, a member of the Higashi-Honganji sect of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Rurikoin opens only twice a year, in spring when the fresh greenery blooms, and in autumn when the maple leaves turn red, making it a renowned spot for viewing fall foliage in northern Kyoto.
Tips:
Autumn special opening period: October 1st - December 10th, 2017
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Admission: 2000 yen, tea room 1000 yen
Access: Take the Eizan Electric Railway and get off at the Yase Hieisanguchi station. Walk for 5 minutes.
Website: http://rurikoin.komyoji.com
Admission to Rurikoin Temple is 2,000 NTD, significantly more expensive than other temples, but it still attracts a steady stream of visitors. This particular scene, in particular, is a classic sight that draws people from far and wide: a low table is placed on the tatami mats on the second floor, and the two sides of the courtyard are completely open, revealing the vibrant colors of red, yellow, and green foliage outside.
I used to think there was a pool of water here, but later I found out that there was a layer of reflective plastic cloth on the low table. In addition, the material of the table itself is very smooth, which allows the colors outside the house to be reflected on it, extending the outdoor scenery into the room, creating a picture that breaks the boundaries of space.
The average wait time at Rurikoin is three hours, but once you get to the table, you can only wait for 40 seconds. There's a circle of people gathered around the table, and a staff member keeps a timer. Those in the first row can only take pictures for 40 seconds before they have to stand up and let the next row take their place. Besides one staff member who speaks Japanese, there's also another who speaks Chinese.
Many people who come to Kyoto's temples collect goshuin, just like collecting stamps. Each temple has a different goshuin, and some temples even have monks draw and write on them by hand. There are also some seasonal features, making them very collectible souvenirs.
In fact, I prefer the first floor which is closer to the courtyard to the second floor which is crowded and everyone is taking photos of almost the same scene.
There are several halls on the first floor equipped with tatami mats, which are more spacious, and there are not many people and no time limit. You can sit inside, look down at the koi swimming in the courtyard pond, look up at the red leaves falling from the trees, and quietly feel the passage of time.
This ancient shrine, founded during Japan's Heian period (9th to 12th centuries), boasts towering maple and ginkgo trees lining the approach, forming giant red umbrellas that protect the divine realm. Visitors are rare, primarily focusing on photography enthusiasts.
I accidentally passed by this place on my way to Manshu-in Temple from the station. The tall red leaves on both sides of the road were so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop to take pictures. I checked the map and found out that it was the approach to Sagi Mori Shrine.
The approach to the shrine is long, and the towering maple leaves on either side form a vast screen, transforming the area into a sea of fiery crimson. This place is so rare that even my subsequent research couldn't find anything about it, and many people have never heard of it. It's said that only a few photography enthusiasts come here specifically to take pictures. As a result, it's so sparsely populated, making it a rare and beautiful spot during Kyoto's fall foliage season.
For those who come to Kyoto to enjoy the autumn leaves during the autumn leaf season, they know about the gorgeous autumn leaves of Kiyomizu Temple and the Zen scenery of Rurikoin Temple...but they may have overlooked some autumn leaf scenes that are less visited but equally beautiful and stunning.
Sometimes, unexpected surprises on a journey can bring unexpected joy. For those who also go to Manshu Monastery but choose to take a taxi because it is far from the station and requires climbing a hill, they may miss out on these "surprises."
The shrine isn't actually very large, but because it's surrounded by a vibrant forest, it's particularly beautiful in this particular season. As you walk past the shrine and continue toward Manshu Monastery, you'll pass a very tall forest. Looking up, you'll see red, yellow, and green leaves interwoven into a giant umbrella. Standing beneath its protective canopy, I can gaze upon a natural landscape that resembles an overturned palette.
Manshu-in Temple is a bit out of the way. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Shugakuin Station. Plus, I was so engrossed in visiting Sagi-mori Shrine that I spent more than half an hour walking here. There are no buses to the temple gate. I saw some people driving and taking taxis, but most people seemed to rely on walking.
This Tendai sect temple boasts exquisite architecture and stunning scenery. Its grounds are renowned for its large and small academies, teahouse, eight-window pavilion, windowless seating, Manshu-in pavilion, and the academy-style Penglai dry landscape garden. The temple houses 1,200 temple treasures, including a rare copy of the Kokin Wakashu (Collection of Ancient and Modern Waka). It is also a renowned temple in Kyoto for viewing the autumn leaves.
Tips:
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Ticket price: 400 yen
Transportation: Take the Eizan Railway and get off at Shugakuin Station, about a 20-minute walk. Take the city bus or Kyoto Bus and get off at Ichijoji-Kiyomizu-cho Station, about a 20-minute walk.
Website: http://www.manshuinmonzeki.jp/
"Monzeki" (もんせき, もんぜき) has a special meaning in Kyoto temples. Manshu-in Monzeki is considered a temple of higher rank. Monzeki is a specific temple where royal family members and nobles serve as abbots.
Originally, it meant the official successors of the founder of Japanese Buddhism, the "Mon-ryu" (or "mon-shu"). Since the Kamakura period, it has come to refer to temples of high rank, known as temple-kyoku, and these temples are called "mon-ji temples."
The Manshu-in Temple's autumn leaves are not so much about quantity as they are about the landscaping. This is the perfect spot to enjoy the "dry landscape" and autumn leaves. In autumn, the Japanese-style garden, with its dry landscape's white sand dotted with a few red leaves, exudes a Zen-like quality.
The dry landscape garden of Manshu-in Temple is a "wandering dry landscape garden" with a Zen style and a royal elegance. It is highly regarded among Japanese garden architectures.
A stretch of white sand is neatly spread in the open space between the academy and the woods. The monks in the temple have made fine lines on it, just like ripples in flowing water. In the "flowing water" there are two oases, "Turtle Island" and "Crane Island". From a distance, they have the artistic conception of a fairy island on the sea, which brings out the extreme simplicity and tranquility of Zen aesthetics to the extreme.
In fact, the red leaves outside Manshu Monastery and on the mountain are more spectacular than those in the courtyard. Perhaps because it is a bit remote, not many people come here, but it is definitely a good place to enjoy the red leaves.
After visiting Manshu Monastery, return to the golden Manshu Monastery Road and walk a little further along the path you came from before turning towards Yuanguang Temple where there are signs. There's no more convenient transportation from Manshu Monastery to Yuanguang Temple; it's a 15-minute walk, with signs along the way, so you don't need a map.
Founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1601 (Keicho 6), Enkoji Temple is a Rinzai sect temple. Originally intended to promote Buddhism and provide a place for education, it is renowned far and wide as Japan's oldest school.
The highlight of the temple grounds is the "Ten Oxen Garden," a small garden boasting vibrant autumn colors that can be easily seen in one glance. The maple leaves in each corner vary in color, from red to yellow, creating a unique and striking scene.
Tips:
Opening hours: 09:00-16:30
Transportation: Take the Eizan Electric Railway and get off at Ichijoji Station, then walk east for 15 minutes. Take the No. 5 City Bus and get off at Ichijoji Shitarimatsu, then walk for 10 minutes.
Website: http://www.enkouji.jp/
As you enter the garden, the first thing you see is the dry landscape "Running Dragon Courtyard" and the "autumn colors filling the garden" scenery in the courtyard behind it.
Most of Kyoto's famous fall foliage viewing spots open at 9:00 AM, but in late autumn, Enkoji Temple offers a limited-time, reservation-based "Autumn Morning Special Viewing" for 70 people per day. Those who reserve a special morning viewing are given priority entry at 7:30 AM.
The morning sun shines through the gaps in the bamboo forest. The fresh air and the few tourists make the entire temple more Zen-like and the viewing effect of the red leaves is at its best.
Reservation phone number: 075-781-8025
Ticket price: 1,000 yen per person
Because I didn't check the travel guide carefully before, I didn't make a special reservation for the morning visit here. When I arrived near noon, it was already full of people. Fortunately, the courtyard is not open to the public, so the integrity of the scenery is guaranteed.
The "Garden of Ten Oxen" in front of Yuanguangji Academy, where Yu Zen Buddhism practiced, is the essence of the entire temple. Sitting on the tatami in the main hall and looking out into the garden, the darkness inside contrasts sharply with the brilliant and bright autumn colors in the garden. The beautiful scenery under the corridor is like a painting, yet it seems to be natural.
Because there are so many people inside, if you don't catch the special morning visit, you have to wait a long time to get the perfect moment to take a photo without seeing people around. While waiting to take a photo, I just stared at the scenery outside and felt that taking a photo didn't matter anymore.
Outside the main hall is the "Suikkotsu" (Water Music Cave). It is said that when washing your hands, you can hear pleasant sounds coming from underground. The act of washing your hands is also regarded as playing the "Suikkotsu" (Water Music Cave). The clear sound of dripping water can relax your mind and also symbolizes beauty and peace.
Walking up the hillside on the east side of the temple, you can have a panoramic view of the entire temple and the Luobei area.
Coming down the mountain, we followed the road to the Qilong Pond. It was a small pond, but it reflected the scenery of most of the courtyard. It seemed as if we could see another "Garden of Ten Oxen" here.
Many tourists who come to Yuanguang Temple will take pictures of this cute little Buddha statue in the courtyard. It is so small and hidden among the green moss covered with red leaves, which is quite interesting.
The history of Tofuku-ji Temple begins in 924 AD, with the founding of Hoso-ji Temple by Fujiwara no Tadahira. Hoso-ji Temple served as the Fujiwara clan's official temple. Later, in 1236, regent Kujo Michiie began extensive construction of a Buddhist temple and other buildings on the site, intending to house a 5-meter-tall statue of Sakyamuni. It took nearly 30 years to complete the construction of all the buildings within the precincts.
The temple's name comes from two major temples in Nara, Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple, combining them to form "Tofuku-ji Temple." The Tsutenkaku Bridge within the temple is a perfect spot for viewing Kyoto's autumn leaves.
Tips:
Address: 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama District, Kyoto City Opening hours: 8:00-16:00
Admission: Free for Tofuku-ji Temple; 400 yen for Tsutenkaku Bridge and Kaisando Hall; 400 yen for Hojo Hachisho Garden
Access: Get off at Tofukuji Station on the JR Nara Line or Keihan Main Line and walk 10 minutes. Take city buses 202, 207, or 208 and get off at Tofukuji Station.
Website: http://www.tofukuji.jp/
Among the many famous places for viewing autumn leaves in Kyoto, the most famous are "Tofuku-ji Temple" and "Eikan-do Temple" - of course, "Ruriko-in Temple" which has risen in popularity in the past two years should also be considered one. Since I was short on time, I just visited the most famous ones.
After visiting Eikan-do, of course I had to visit Tofuku-ji Temple. So after leaving Enko-ji Temple, I immediately rushed to Tofuku-ji Temple. Fortunately, I had been there twice before, so I was familiar with the route.
Tofuku-ji Temple, designated one of Kyoto's Five Mountains, has been a popular temple since ancient times. The expansive temple boasts valuable Zen architecture from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, the Hojo Garden, showcasing the beauty of traditional Japanese gardens, and the ravines are among the attractions worth exploring. The temple is renowned for its vibrant autumn leaves, and every autumn, the vibrant red and yellow leaves from Tsutenkaku Bridge to the gardens create a breathtaking spectacle.
The temple is home to many precious Zen Buddhist structures from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods of Japan, including the Sanmon Gate, the oldest existing Zen temple gate in Japan; the main hall with a dragon painting on the ceiling by Domoto Imago; Japan's oldest and largest Zen hall; the approximately 35-meter-long Touji (the name for toilets in Japanese Zen Buddhism); and Japan's oldest abbot, all of which are extremely valuable. The abbot's garden can be divided into four courtyards: east, west, south, and north, depicting the eight stages of Sakyamuni's enlightenment: Pengjia, the abbot, Yingzhou, Hakkai, Huliang, Gozan, Ida Ichimatsu, and the Big Dipper, hence the name "Eight Phases Garden."
To the north of the temple complex lies a valley called Xiyujian, and from west to east are the three famous bridges of Tofukuji Temple: Woyun Bridge, Tongtian Bridge, and Yanyue Bridge.
Tongtian Bridge itself is a corridor extending from the main hall, which naturally becomes a roofed bridge. This area is famous for its maple viewing spots. Looking at Woyun Bridge from Tongtian Bridge is the most classic picture, and this scenery is printed on the ticket.
After visiting the last attraction, I left with many moving memories. While the short time allowed for some regrets, I still felt very fulfilled. I hope to return to Kyoto someday and see the frosted leaves covering the steps in crimson.
