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.
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.
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, glimmers in gold and casts a perfect reflection across a tranquil pond. This iconic gold temple attracts photographers and travelers all over to capture that perfect reflection photo in all seasons. Get travel tips on Kinkakuji – a must-see during autumn in Kyoto!
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 is Kyoto’s most famous temple. Almost every traveler who passes through Kyoto would have made a trip to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site, built on the hillside of Higashiyama, with its nailless main hall and especially during its autumn peak.
Saihoji 西芳寺 or Kokedera 苔寺 is THE moss garden temple to see in Kyoto. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses innumerable moss varieties and you feel like you are wandering through a mesmeric garden of the softest greens. However, visiting this moss temple requires early planning and reservation.
