Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Best Spots & Timing
2026-05-01 ยท 6 min read
Many travelers think Kyoto in autumn beats Kyoto in spring. The maples against temple architecture are unreal.
When does koyo peak in Kyoto in 2026?
Typically mid to late November 2026, often peaking around the third week of November.
Best spots
- โTofukuji โ the famous maple valley viewed from Tsutenkyo Bridge.
- โEikando โ Kyoto's top temple for autumn night illumination.
- โArashiyama โ hillsides, the river and Tenryuji garden.
- โKiyomizudera โ iconic stage above a sea of red maples, lit at night.
Night illuminations
Eikando, Kiyomizudera and Kodaiji run special evening light-ups in late November โ go early, lines get long.
Find Kyoto hotels for autumn (book early!)
- โ Free cancellation on most rooms
- โ Compare 28M+ properties
- โ No booking fees
โฐ Prices update daily โ book early for peak dates
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Browse Kyoto autumn tours
- โ Skip-the-line e-tickets
- โ Mobile voucher, no printing
- โ Free cancellation up to 24h
โฐ Popular tours sell out 1-2 weeks ahead
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Multi-city trip? Check the JR Pass
- โ 7, 14, 21-day pass options
- โ Activate within 1 year
- โ Free shipping worldwide
โฐ Cheaper online than at Japanese stations
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FAQ
- โIs late Nov crowded? Very โ it's Kyoto's busiest stretch. Go at sunrise.
- โBest photo spot? Tofukuji's bridge (timed entry may apply).
- โHow many days? 2โ3 to cover east and Arashiyama properly.
Final tips
Book lodging 4โ6 months ahead, start before 8am, and reserve illumination evenings for after dark.
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