Visiting Kyoto in late autumn? A Kyoto-born landscape photographer shares 3 beautiful spots for photographing autumn foliage, all within walking distance! (Reported by: Daiki Inada, Digital Camera Magazine)
1. Tofuku-ji Temple(東福寺)
Kyoto’s most famous temple for autumn colours
EOS R5/ RF28-70mm f/2L USM/ FL: 28mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/50 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight/ Shot in end November
Start your autumn leaf pilgrimage with a visit to Tofuku-ji, one of Kyoto’s five greatest zen temples. Founded in 1236, the temple is home to over 2,000 maple trees.
There are countless photo-worthy scenes inside the compound—you’re bound to get trigger happy! The image above was shot from Tsutenkyo Bridge, a 100m-long covered walkway that overlooks a valley of maple trees. Your eyes will be filled with a burst of fiery autumn colours!
Photography tip: I recommend a wide-angle lens for this scene.
Location tip: Go early to avoid the crowds
This is one of Kyoto’s most popular autumn foliage viewing spots, so expect humongous crowds. I recommend being there as early as possible when the temple opens, which is 8.30am from November to early December.
More about the place: Tofuku-ji Temple
Address: 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
How to get there by public transport:
- 10 minutes’ walk from Tofuku-ji Station on the JR Nara Line or Keihan Line
- 10 minutes’ walk from Tofuku-ji Bus Stop (Kyoto City Bus Route 88, 202, 207, or 208)
Admission fees apply for some sections.
2. Shourin-ji Temple (勝林寺)
A quieter spot also known for its umbrella and flower decorations
EOS R5/ RF28-70mm f/2L USM/ FL: 28mm/ Manual exposure (f/2, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight/ Shot in end November
While less well-known than Tofuku-ji, Kyoto’s Bishamon-do Shourin-ji Temple, about 10 minutes’ walk north, also has many maple trees on its premises. The sense of peace and serenity you get viewing the temple’s garden from the study hall gives respite from the crowds that descend on Kyoto’s Higashiyama district during autumn foliage season.
I recommend coming here at around 10am when the temple opens—you can visit Tofuku-ji Temple first.
Photography tip: The study hall is the perfect spot for a frame-within-a-frame composition.
Local tip: Look out for the hanachozu (floating flower arrangements)
Hanachozu (花手水) are the beautiful flower arrangements floating in the basins (chozu) at the entrance of Japanese shrines and temples where you wash your hands for purification. While they were always a part of Japanese shrine and temple culture, they became increasingly popular on Japanese social media during COVID-19.
The vibrant ones at Shourin-ji Temple, which are made by its resident priests, are another of the temple’s attractions. They can be viewed throughout the year, and the displays are updated regularly.
More about the place: Shourin-ji Temple
Address: 15-795 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
How to get there by public transport:
- 8 minutes’ walk from Tofuku-ji Station on the JR Nara Line or Keihan Line
- 4 minutes’ walk from Tofuku-ji Bus Stop (Kyoto City Bus Route 88, 202, 207, or 208)
Notes:
- Opening hours: 10:00-16:00
- Admission fees apply
- Limited parking lots
Shourin-ji Official Site
Instagram: @kyoto_shourinji
3. Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple (今熊野観音寺)
EOS R5/ RF28-70mm f/2L USM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/4, 1/100 sec)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight/ Shot in end November
Another hidden gem for autumn foliage is Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple. It is located near Tofuku-ji Temple and Shorin-ji Temple, and worth stopping by after visiting the two! As it’s off the beaten path, it is usually quieter than the more popular places. The temple doesn’t have a gate, so watch out for the red bridge (Torii Bridge) at the entrance.
Interesting fact: According to legend, the Goddess of Mercy (Kannon-sama) of the temple cured retired Emperor Go-shirakawa of the chronic headaches he had suffered from for many years. Since then, the temple has become a renowned place for curing headaches, seeking wisdom, and other matters of the head.
Photography tip: I find the mild compression produced by a medium telephoto focal length (70-135mm) ideal for photographing the bridge against the autumn leaves.
More about the place: Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple
Address: No. 32, Sennyujiyamauchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
How to get there by public transport:
- 15 minutes’ walk from Tofuku-ji Station on the JR Nara Line or Keihan Line
- 10 minutes’ walk from Sennyuji Bus Stop (Kyoto City Bus Route 202, 207, or 208)
Notes:
- Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
- Free admission
- Limited parking lots
Imakumano Kannon-ji Official Site
Instagram: @imakumanokannonji
About the Author
A monthly magazine that believes that enjoyment of photography will increase the more one learns about camera functions. It delivers news on the latest cameras and features and regularly introduces various photography techniques.
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