Life advice: You must visit Kyoto to experience a koyo (autumn leaves) hunt

🍁 Every November, during the maple viewing season, I am reminded of Kyoto's autumn leaves. Not only are the colors beautiful, but when paired with local architecture, temples, shrines, etc., it's absolutely stunning! 🍁 Having been to Kyoto multiple times and visited over 30 spots for autumn leaves, here are 9 spots I find to be the most beautiful: 📍1. Kajii Shrine —— One of the earliest places in Kyoto where the leaves turn red, it's less known but breathtaking. There are few visitors, so I recommend going in the morning when the sun is shining brightly. How to get there: Take a local bus from JR Kameoka Station and get off at Kajii Shrine. 📍2. Jingoji Temple —— Located on Mount Takao, you need to climb a small mountain path, but the scenery is truly beautiful. The most beautiful time is not when the leaves are at their peak, but when they start to fall. How to get there: Walk for 20 minutes from JR Bus Takao Station. 📍3. Ohara Sanzenin —— Sanzenin in autumn is much more stunning than in summer. Sitting quietly in the inner hall, enjoying matcha while admiring the courtyard's autumn leaves is one of life's great pleasures. How to get there: Take Kyoto Bus No. 17 to Ohara and walk for 10 minutes. 📍4. Jojakkoji Temple —— Located in the Arashiyama area, I would like to call it the 'ceiling' of Kyoto's autumn leaves. The combination of red, yellow, and green colors and the sense of layers are very outstanding. How to get there: Walk for 20 minutes from JR Arashiyama Station. 📍5. Tofukuji Temple —— The most spectacular autumn leaves in Kyoto city, consistently ranking in the top 3 spots for maple viewing in Kyoto. After the peak, you can see the magnificent sight of the Tōtenkyō Bridge ablaze with color, but there are also many visitors. How to get there: Walk for 10 minutes from JR Tofukuji Station. 📍6. Eikando Temple —— A must-visit spot for viewing autumn leaves in Kyoto, it's not an exaggeration to call it the most beautiful autumn scenery. The combination of autumn leaves and traditional wooden temples is the best pairing. How to get there: Take Kyoto Bus No. 5 to Nanzenji Eikando and walk for 3 minutes. 📍7. Nanzenji Temple —— Near Eikando, you can visit both at the same time. You must enter Tenjuan to truly experience the beauty of the autumn leaves. There's also the very famous Suirokaku aqueduct worth seeing. How to get there: Walk for 10 minutes from Kyoto Subway Keage Station. 📍8. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine —— The best combination of autumn leaves and a red bridge. The autumn leaves alone are not outstanding, but paired with the red bridge and flowing water, the atmosphere is greatly enhanced. Go early to capture the bridge without people. How to get there: Take Kyoto Bus No. 203 and get off at Kitano Tenmangu. 📍9. Kodaiji Temple —— A famous spot for autumn leaves near Kiyomizu Temple. The daytime scenery is not as outstanding as other spots, but the night maple is really worth seeing. The light show is nice, and the night maple by the quiet lake in the backyard is also beautiful. How to get there: Take Kyoto Bus to Higashiyama Yasui and walk for 7 minutes.