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Best Momiji Viewing Places in Kyoto

Kyle Yates — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 06:02:13 +0000

Momiji viewing is not just something people in Japan do. People all around the world go places to see the autumn leaves changing colors. It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. But for those who live in the Kyoto area or people just visiting, finding a good place to see colorful autumn leaves can be a daunting task. Sure, a person could just go about anywhere in Kyoto and see trees with autumn colored leaves. But that isn’t really momiji viewing.

Momiji viewing involves Japanese maples. And they don’t just grow everywhere. It takes a little planning to find places with many maple trees on the grounds. Some local parks scattered around Kyoto have them. Some shrines and temples have them. But not all places have Japanese maples.

So here are some of the best places around the Kyoto area to see Japanese maple trees in the splendor:

Correction to the Momiji Process

Kyle Yates — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:47:22 +0000

Cold weather has finally made its way to Japan, but it has been a slow change. Japanese maple and ginko trees have been slow changing colors. Last year, the process was just as slow though.

The previous prediction that maple leaves would be ready for viewing unfortunately was incorrect. Maple leaves are still green in many areas around the Kansai region. Some are red. Some are yellow. Finding really bright red maple leaves is getting easier as winter approaches, but they are few and far between.

The better areas to find momiji are in the higher mountain areas or where trees are in direct sunlight.

Good luck finding really red maples! When you do find some, let us know where you found them.

Poor Momiji Reports

Kyle Yates — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:47:04 +0000

Talked with many momiji viewers who have already been to temples, shrines and parks to see the changing of the autumn leaves. Many seemed disappointed with what they saw. Most complained that only a few trees had changed colors so far.

If you have not been to see momiji yet, fear not. You are probably a lot better off not having been somewhere yet.

Look for trees to be more colorful this coming weekend. Trees out in open sunlight will have already begun changing if not already begun dropping leaves. They may be past the red color stage and begun turning brown. Trees deeper in the forests hidden by sunlight will be turning colors and some may even be still green. But by this weekend, maple trees should be turning lighter green to yellow, orange and red.

For the better momiji viewing experience, venture off the more trodden path. You will more likely find unique beautiful autumn settings worthy of picture taking!

Here are some of mine from yesterday’s momiji check.

Fushimi Inari Momiji Report

Kyle Yates — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:14:12 +0000

The maples leaves in the Kansai region are beginning to change colors. Most of the trees that are changing, however, are those in direct sunlight. Trees set back in the forests are still vibrant green and have not begun changing their colors.

Expect trees in the Kyoto area to be bright and colorful around the last week of November, a little earlier than the official momiji report predicted a few weeks ago.

The photos below are from Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Less Traveled Momiji Places in Kyoto

Kyle Yates — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:51:20 +0000

Oyamazaki Momiji

The weather is beginning to cool in the Kansai area of Japan. You know what that means, right? Momiji~!

The talk around town has already begun shifting from how hot the weather is to where people are planning to go see Japanese maple leaves in their bright red, orange, yellow and green colors.

If you are looking for more information on some of the more popular places to visit, here is a previous article written on the topic.

Momiji Viewing Areas in Kansai

For less popular places, ones that only locals mostly know about, here are a few places that you can visit, see maple leaves and enjoy some other activities on the same day.

Oyamazaki Suntory Whiskey Distillery – See momiji, take a tour of Suntory and hike up the shrine mountain.
Philosopher’s Trail – See beautiful maple leaves as you walk along the trail, stop at a cafe and enjoy some coffee and cake and visit some of the temples and shrines along the way.
Uji Bridge and surrounding areas – Take a walk across one of Japan’s oldest bridges and continue hiking up into the foothills of Uji for a good view of momiji, or walk to Byodoin back across the bridge. Byodoin is on the temple on the 10 yen coin.