Kyoto's autumn hues have enchanted travellers, tourists and locals alike for untold years. Today, we are joined by Macchan, an Instagrammer who has provided us with their incredible photographs of Kyoto's breathtaking autumnal scenery. Take note of these locations for your next trip!   Wachu-an, Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School Wachu-an is a merchant and heritage home with a long history dating back to the early days of the Showa Period (1926–1989). It’s normally off-limits to the public, but opens during autumntime for everyone to visit. This year, it will be open from November 22 to December 1. Trickling away in the large gardens is a small river, and enveloped in the gorgeous greenery connected to a passage on the slant of the foothill is the reception hall and a western-style house. When autumn rolls around, visitors enjoy the beautifully polished veranda of the Japanese-style room together with the floor of the western-style building which reflects the surrounding sights beautifully.   Wachu-an, Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School Autumn Opening: November 22, 2019 - December 1, 2019 Time: 10:00-16:00 Address: 110 Shishigatani Sakuradanicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto Price: ¥600 (Discount for groups of 15+) / Free for junior high school students and younger Access: ① 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 5 from Kyoto Station ② 7 minutes on foot from “Miyanomaecho” bus stop via the Kyoto City Bus 100 from Kyoto Station ③ 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 93 or 204 from Jingū-Marutamachi Station (Keihan Electric Railway) ④ 5 minutes on foot from the “Kami Miyanomaecho” bus stop via the Kyoto City Bus 32 from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway) ⑤ 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 203 from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway)   Yokokuji Temple Yanagidani Kannon, also known as Yokokuji Temple, is holding the event “Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours Week” from November 2 to December 1. It includes special access to the Joshoin which is normally closed to the public, workshops, flower decorations at the temple’s purifying water basin, and more. Enjoy the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the temple, dyed in the red and yellow hues of autumn. For more details on this event, click here.   Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours WeekRunning: November 2, 2019 – December 1, 2019Time: 9:00-16:00 (Joshoin open 10:00-15:00)Location: Yanagidani Kannon, Yokokuji Temple (Dōnotani-2 Jōdodani, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto)Entry Price: ¥300Full Ticket: ¥1,100→¥1,100 (Includes entry to multiple areas)Access: 15 minutes by taxi from Nagaokakyo Station (JR Line) / 10 minutes by taxi from Nishiyama Tennozan StationOfficial Website: http://yanagidani.jp/   Shinnyo-dō Temple (Shinshōgokuraku-ji)Shinnyo-dō Temple is a famous sightseeing spot during autumn as tourists and locals flock to see autumn fall around the ancient structure. From mid-November, the maple and ginkgo trees blossom from their beautiful buds along the stone path leading up to the temple.The three-storied pagoda is a sight to behold during this time of the year, as is the carpet of fallen leaves behind the main temple which symbolises the curtain call of autumn. On average, the autumn foliage can be observed until early December here every year.   Shinnyo-dō Temple (Shinshōgokuraku-ji)Address: 82 Jōdoji Shinnyochō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto PrefectureOpening Hours: 9:00-16:00 (Reception open until 15:45)*Restricted access to the garden and Shoin on November 10 and December  8Price: ¥1,000 (¥900 for elementary school children, free for those younger)Access:①Take the Kyoto City Bus 5, 17 or 100 bound for Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺行き) from Kyoto Station and alight at Kinrin Shako Mae from which it is an 8 minute walkOfficial Website: https://shin-nyo-do.jp/   Konzoji TempleThis quiet little mountain temple sits tucked away halfway up the mountain known as Koshioyama. The temple as it is today was restored in the Edo Period. It’s a popular hiking spot amongst travellers as it offers a panoramic view of the Kyoto Basin (京都盆地), but it also attracts a lot of visitors during the autumn season.The reflection of the autumn foliage from the water is nothing short of breathtaking. The hike up is tiring, but worth it, so if you’ve the stamina we highly recommend putting this one on your list. You won’t be disappointed.   Konzoji TempleAddress: 1639 Ōharano Ishizukurichō, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto PrefectureDonation Fee: ¥200Access:①Take the Hankyu Bus 65 from Mukōmachi Station (JR Tōkaidō Main Line) or Higashi-Mukō Station (Hankyu Railway) and get off at the last stop, Minamikasugacho (南春日町), after about 25 minutes. It’s then a 60-70 minute walk from there.②Board the Keihan Kyoto Bus at the East Exit of Katsura Station that is bound for Oharano & Nagamine (大原野・長峰). Get off at the last stop, Nagamine, and it’s a 50-60 minute walk.   Byodoin TempleByodoin Temple, listed as a World Heritage Site, is also a popular spot in the fall. You can take some spectacular photos of the temple from across the lake. The height of the autumn foliage this year is late November to early December.There is more information on the foliage dates on the official website, so be sure to check it out before visiting at the link below.   Byodoin TempleAddress: Renge-116 Uji, KyotoPrice: General ¥600 / Junior High School Students ¥400 / Elementary School Students ¥300 (*Includes garden and Byodoin Museum access)Access:①10 minutes on foot from Uji Station via the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station②10 minutes on foot from Uji Station via the Keihan Main Line from Gion-Shijo StationFoliage Info: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/flower/Official Website: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/   If you want more information about Kyoto on the best spots to visit, be sure to follow Macchan on Instagram.   Photos: Macchan

Autumn is a popular season in Japan, especially amongst tourists and travellers. While in spring you have the bright pink cherry blossoms, when autumntime rolls around, the trees turn into enchanting reds and yellows. People from around the world flock to see this incredible sight, with Kyoto being a very popular location.   Of course, viewing the beautiful colours of the trees and their leaves is a must during the daytime, but seeing them in the evening has become popular in recent years too. It offers you an entirely different experience and atmosphere. So if you're in the ancient capital for autumn this year, why not experience the season in an entirely new lightーat night?   Jitokuin Temple Jitokuin Temple is located in the town of Yosano in Yosa District. Maple trees were planted almost 11 years ago with the help of locals and the chief priest to create local ties. Every autumn, the trees behind the mountain bloom in vivid hues, leading the temple to be nicknamed "Koyo-ji," or "Temple of Autumn." The locals work hard in the surrounding gardens day by day, so the sights change a little bit every year. The maple trees are planted in a way that it looks like they take an entire side of the mountain. They are a sight to be hold during the day, but for one week in November there will be illuminations in the evenings, creating a magical scene under the night sky.   ▼Jitokuin TempleLight-Up Period: November 9, 2019 - November 16, 2019Light-Up Time: 17:00-20:00 (Temple is open 09:00-20:00)Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Mid NovemberAddress: 2250 Akeshi, Yosano, Yoza-gun, KyotoSupport Fund: ¥300Official Website: http://jitokuin.com     Nariaiji Temple Nariaiji Temple, located in Kyoto Prefecture's city of Miyazu, is an ancient temple betwixt mountains overlooking Amanohashidate, one of Japan's "Three Scenic Views." It's home to a grand 5-storey pagoda which is surrounded by hundreds of maple trees, offering an incredible, quintessentially Japanese view during autumn. During the day, you can snap some gorgeous photos with the Sea of Japan and Amanohashidate in the back. For two nights only, on Saturday November 9 and Sunday November 10, the entire area will be beautifully lit up with warm illuminations.   ▼Nariaiji TempleLight-Up Period: November 9, 2019 - November 10, 2019Light-Up Time: Sunset - 21:00 (Temple is open 08:00-16:30)Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Late NovemberAddress: 339 Nariaiji, Miyazu, KyotoPrice: ¥500Official Website: http://www.nariaiji.jp/     Kasagiyama Prefectural Natural Park Kasagiyama Prefectural Natural Park: is located atop Mt. Kasagi and is also home to Kasagi-dera, a temple with a 1,300-year history. During autumn, one entire side of the park is dyed in autumnal colours. This November, the area will be lit up for a limited period, offering a gorgeous view from the mountain peak of the trees below as well as the flowing Kizugawa river.   ▼Kasagiyama Prefectural Natural ParkLight-Up Period: November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019Light-Up Time: 17:00-21:00 (Temple is open 09:00-16:00)Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Mid NovemberAddress: Mt. Kasagi, Kasagi, Soraku District, KyotoPrice: Illuminations - Free / Temple - Adults ¥300, Children ¥100Official Website: https://www.kasagidera.or.jp     Yokokuji Temple Normally, the Joshoin at Yokokuji Templeーalso known as Yanagidani Kannonーonly opens on the 17th of every month. But for a special autumn event, it is now open every day up until December 1. The beauty of its autumn colours have come to be enjoyed by VIPs, dating back to the pre-war period when it was designated as a place of scenic beauty. For more details on this event, click here.   ▼Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours WeekRunning: November 2, 2019 - December 1, 2019Time: 9:00-16:00 (Joshoin open 10:00-15:00)Location: Yanagidani Kannon, Yokokuji Temple (Dōnotani-2 Jōdodani, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto)Entry Price: ¥300Full Ticket: ¥1,100→¥1,100 (Includes entry to multiple areas)Official Website: http://yanagidani.jp/     Take the time to enjoy an autumnal Kyoto this year at one of the city's seasonal events.

Yanagidani Kannon, also known as Yokokuji Temple, is located in Kyoto Prefecture's city of Nagaokakyo and has been used as a place of prayer for many people with eye disease since the Heian Period. It is believed that praying at the temple will cure eye disease.   For autumn-time this year, the temple is set to hold an event titled "Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours Week" from November 2 to December 1. With a seasonal schedule that includes illuminations in the gardens to a flower display at the temple water basin, if you're looking for the must-visit locations in Kyoto this autumn, then you'll want to add Yokokuji Temple to your list.  

Jodoen Garden Illuminations

Last year's popular light-up event is making a return for 2019, with gorgeous illuminations developed by light designer Yuuki Kogawa which will brighten the area with an enchanting and mystifying aura different from a usual visit to the garden.   Dates: November 8th, 15th, 22nd-23rd Time: 17:30-18:30  (Reception open from 17:00) Price: ¥2,500 (Includes limited edition goshuin stamp) No. of People: 20 (Bookings Only) Bookings: https://yanagidani.jp/contact/  

Special Opening of the Joshoin

Normally, the Joshoin only opens on the 17th of every month, but for this autumn week event, it will be open every day. It's an area normally limited to officials and those in the imperial family. The beauty of its autumn colours have come to be enjoyed by VIPs, dating back to the pre-war period when it was designated as a place of scenic beauty.  

Hanachomizu Flower Water Basin

At every temple and shrine in Japan there is a water basin which you are to use to cleanse yourself before entering. The Hanachomizu has become hugely popular on social media since the name first appeared 3 years ago, where leaves and flowers are placed into the basin. It has become adopted at temples across the country, with the one at Yokokuji Temple starting the trend. When it was first posted onto social media, it received reactions from over 80,000 people both in Japan and overseas. The flowers used change with the seasons, from hydrangeas to maple leaves.  

Limited Edition Goshuin Stamp Book Designs - Garasha Matsuri & More

Visitors will be able to pick up limited-edition goshuin stamp books which never fail to sell out whenever they are released. Goshuin are collectable stamps/seals at temples around Japan. They are ¥500 each and limited in stock. This is just a small peek into what's to come during Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours Week. If you're in Kyoto, make sure you pay a visit to Yokokuji Temple.