Travelogy – Places I have visited, dream to visit and am visting
Discover 7 things to do at Wakayama Castle 和歌山城 and Momijidani Teien Garden 紅葉渓庭園, also called Nishinomaru Teien 西之丸庭園 — a hidden-gem autumn colours spot in Kansai, an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. Explore vivid fall foliage, Engyokaku Pavilion, and Ohashiroka Bridge in this castle garden in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Discover Arashiyama Yusai-Tei 嵐山 祐斎亭, a hidden Kyoto gallery along the Katsura River. Explore its signature round windows framing autumn foliage, Kawabata Yasunari’s literary room, master dyer Yusai Okuda’s kimono art, and a seasonal hands-on activity overlooking Mount Ogura. A small, atmospheric gem for autumn foliage lovers visiting Arashiyama, Kyoto this fall season.
Komyo-in, also known as Rainbow Moss Temple, is Kyoto’s best-kept secret for introverts — a quiet sub-temple near Tofuku-ji. Watch light shift through shoji screens, sliding doors, and round windows framing moss, rocks, and raked gravel in the Hashin-tei Zen garden, viewed from the engawa. An uncrowded alternative to Kyoto’s busiest temples for quiet reflection and slow travel.
Okochi Sanso Garden in autumn, a hidden gem in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, is just steps from the famous bamboo groves. Explore 7 stunning sights, from Japanese maples and moss-covered paths to mountain panoramas and Kyoto city views. A quiet escape for autumn foliage lovers visiting Arashiyama and Kyoto during the fall season.
Discover Mizuya Chaya, a hidden thatched roof teahouse in Nara Park where deers roam freely and join you for lunch at outdoor tables. Tucked off the main trail between Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha, this lunch spot has been serving udon since 1948. In autumn, maple leaves frame the teahouse in an atmospheric scene. A must-visit for those seeking rustic beauty off the beaten path.
Toji Temple Kyoto’s autumn night illumination transforms Japan’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site each fall — where the reflection of the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan shimmers across an illuminated pond, Japanese maple leaves blaze red and gold overhead, and centuries of heritage glow quietly in the night.
Arriving early morning, Himeji Castle 姫路城 rises above its brilliant walls framed by cherry blossoms in full bloom. This is the White Heron Castle in spring — where hanami culture, history, and Japan’s iconic sakura scenery converge into one unforgettable experience. Before the crowds arrive and the petals begin to fall, here are the 11 sights you won’t want to miss.
Steeped in history and culture, Nanzenji Temple 南禅寺 is one of the 5 great Zen temples in Kyoto and occupies a huge piece of land. It offers many attractions that will enchant travelers: a rare Roman-style aqueduct, the largest temple gate in Japan, Zen rock gardens, and stunning autumn colors.
Nestled in the quieter part of the renowned Arashiyama district is Jojakko-ji 常寂光寺. A charming temple hidden away at the base of Mount Ogura, its unassuming rustic beauty is often underrated. During autumn, it’s a place where Japanese maple leaves, ginkgo trees, and moss meet in an explosion of colors.
Planted on the mountainside of Mount Rokko in Kobe, Nunobiki Herb Gardens 神戸布引ハーブ園 is Japan’s largest herb garden and home to 75,000 herbs and flowers. It is a must-visit if you love flowers, herbs, and nature. There are lots of see, do, and learn at this beautiful botanical garden.
