Kyoto is inevitably crowded during the autumn foliage viewing season! Introducing temples and shrines where you can avoid the crowds by visiting early in the morning!

Kyoto is crowded with many people during the autumn foliage season.
If you visit a sightseeing spot during the daytime, it will be so crowded that you may think, "I don't know if I came here to see the autumn leaves or to see people's heads!" It gets so crowded that you may think "I'm not here to see the autumn leaves, but I'm here to see people's heads!
Since you are visiting Kyoto in autumn, you may want to take a little time to appreciate the autumn leaves.
Therefore, we recommend two temples and shrines that can be visited early in the morning and avoid crowds.

Table of Contents

Tenryuji Temple

■Kibune Shrine (shrine)

■summary

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple is a Rinzai sect temple located in the Arashiyama area. The temple is usually open for viewing from 8:30 a.m., but during the fall foliage season, the garden is open for viewing from 7:30 a.m.
Please note that you cannot enter the building during the early morning viewing hours, so please be careful when making your travel plans.
Passing through the gate, visitors proceed to the back of the temple, admiring the bright red autumn leaves until they reach the building where the reception desk is located.
During early morning visits, visitors are not allowed to enter the building, but are guided to a special course for garden visits only.
The view of the Sogen Pond Garden, which opens up quickly after passing between buildings, is breathtaking!
The bright red blazing autumn leaves planted around the spacious pond, combined with the borrowed scenery of Arashiyama, are very powerful.

Past the front of the garden, check out the area lined with seasonal flowers and trees. It is possible to admire colorful plants with an autumnal flavor.
When the leaves begin to fall, the entire garden looks like a red carpet.
It is a highly recommended spot that can be visited many times during the fall foliage season.

Facility Name:Tenryuji Temple
Address: 68 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number: 075-881-1235

HP:http://www.tenryuji.com/

■Kibune Shrine (shrine)

Kibune Shrine is located in the mountains northeast of Kyoto City. Although the date of its construction is unknown, there is a record that the shrine was rebuilt in the 6th year of Emperor Temmu's reign (Hakuho 6), and it has watched over the capital of Kyoto for about 1,300 years.
Near the shrine, located on the upper reaches of the Kibune River, the crystal-clear water is gurgling and murmuring, creating a sacred atmosphere.

From May 1 to November 30, visitors may worship at 6:00 a.m.
Visitors can take their time to appreciate the autumn leaves in the clear morning air.
The autumn foliage covering the stairs and lanterns leading straight to the main shrine building is a spectacular sight to behold.

In the early morning, there is no bus service from Kiben-guchi Station on the Eizan Electric Railway, so you must visit on foot.
Some days it can get so cold that it is hard to believe that you are in the same city of Kyoto, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and take good protection against the cold.

Facility Name:Kibune Shrine (shrine)
Address: 180 Kurama Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone number: 075-741-2016

HP:https://kifunejinja.jp/

■summary

In Kyoto in autumn, many people visit every day, regardless of weekdays or holidays, to view the autumn leaves.
The trick to avoid crowds is to visit early in the morning. Move when others are still sleeping or eating breakfast, and take your time to appreciate the autumn foliage.
If your timing is good, there will be no one around, and you may have the beautiful view all to yourself.