During the autumn foliage season, people always think of Kyoto. There are many popular attractions around Kyoto such as Arashiyama, Takao, Ohara, Kiyomizu Temple, Higashiyama, and more. Japan has many places famous for their autumn leaves, but Kyoto's foliage is exceptionally beautiful! The reason is that Kyoto is in a basin, making it extremely humid both during the day and at night. Today, we recommend Kyoto foliage information and hotels with excellent locations for those looking for the best autumn leaves.
Kyoto Autumn Foliage Season
As autumn deepens, Kyoto turns crimson, and beautiful autumn leaves can be seen everywhere. There are countless maple leaf viewing spots in Kyoto, including shrines and temples along the Higashiyama, Kitayama, and Nishiyama areas, gardens and parks within the city, and the Ohara area with its preserved mountain village scenery. When you come to Kyoto in the fall, look for your favorite autumn foliage spots.
The Kyoto Prefecture official tourism website provides information on the status of autumn leaves and the best viewing periods each year, allowing you to choose the region and timing to avoid crowds and enjoy a more comfortable autumn trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto City Official Tourism Association Autumn Foliage Information Page: https://ja.kyoto.travel/flower/momiji/
Hotels for Viewing Autumn Leaves in Kyoto
We recommend some accommodations with prime locations for viewing autumn leaves, ensuring you have a worthwhile experience.
Ryokan Sumiya Kihoan (すみや亀峰菴)
"Sumiya Kamean" is an inn located in Yunohana Onsen, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. Passing through the thatched gate, you'll enter another world! In modern Japanese-style guest rooms, you can observe the changing seasons and enjoy leisurely moments.
Meals consist of Kyoto cuisine made with Kyoto vegetables and Tanba ingredients. Paired with wine recognized by Australian local wineries, you can savor exquisite meals in a stylish atmosphere.
In the hot springs that flow directly from the source, you can enjoy the highest quality spring water and incredibly tranquil natural scenery, just like being in Kyoto itself. The best time to view autumn leaves in Kameoka is early November. We recommend taking a thrilling boat ride along the Hozugawa River to Kyoto's Arashiyama.
- Ryokan Sumiya Kihoan (すみや亀峰菴)
- Address: Miyanooku-２５番地 Hiedanocho Kakihana, Kameoka, Kyoto 621-0034
- Access: From Saga-Arashiyama Station on the Sagano Line, take a taxi or bus for 15 minutes.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~ / Check-out: ~11:00
- Official Website: https://www.sumiya.ne.jp/
- Booking Sites: Booking.com Agoda Hotels.com
Kifune Ugenta（貴船 右源太）
"Kifune Ugenta" is an inn located in the center of Kifune in Kyoto. It's just a 4-minute walk from Kifune Shrine, a famous autumn foliage spot that ranks among the best in Kyoto every year. Originally, it was the residence of the shrine's head priest, and it started operating as an inn in 1963.
The hotel has two duplex rooms that have preserved the traces of the past while incorporating modern styles to meet contemporary needs. With large windows offering views of Kifune's natural beauty, Japanese-style rooms with a fireplace, Western-style rooms with a fireplace, and open spaces with inner courtyards, it's a special inn where you can have an extraordinary experience. The best time to enjoy autumn foliage in Kifune is typically from early November to late November.
- Kifune Ugenta（貴船 右源太）
- Address: 76 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112
- Access: Eizan Electric Railway Kibune Station is about a 30-minute walk away / The hotel provides a free shuttle service, please call the hotel in advance.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~ / Check-out: ~11:00
- Official Website: http://www.ugenta.co.jp/
- Booking Sites: Rakuten Travel
Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Ryokan Hanaikada（嵐山温泉 彩四季の宿 花筏）
"Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Ryokan Hanaikada" is an inn located in the scenic Arashiyama area of Kyoto. It is situated at the southern end of Togetsukyo Bridge, offering views of the flowing Oi River and the beauty of Saga Arashiyama. This is the only onsen (hot spring) in Arashiyama that is open to both overnight guests and day-trippers.
The inn features a total of 13 rooms, including the annex "Sanmeetan," rooms with open-air baths, rooms with private hot spring baths, and standard rooms. The establishment is also renowned for its traditional Kyoto cuisine, where you can savor seasonal dishes such as kaiseki cuisine and tofu dishes.
The best time to admire the autumn foliage in Arashiyama is typically from mid-November to early December. The Arashiyama and Saga Arashiyama areas offer scenic spots for leisurely walks, including Tenryu-ji Temple and the Sagano Bamboo Forest Path.
- Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Ryokan Hanaikada（嵐山温泉 彩四季の宿 花筏）
- Address: 57 Arashiyama Nakaoshitacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0004
- Access: It's about a 5-minute walk from the Keifuku Line / Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:30~ / Check-out: ~10:00
- Official Website: http://www.hanaikada.co.jp/
- Booking Sites: Hotels.com Rakuten Travel
Momijiya Bekkan Kawa No Iori Ryokan（もみぢ家 別館 川の庵）
Momijiya Bekkan Kawa No Iori Ryokan (もみぢ家 別館 川の庵)" is a recommended hidden inn in Kyoto. The inn is located in Takao, Kyoto, and is situated on a unique suspension bridge spanning across the Kiyotaki River.
There are two rooms with open-air baths and four rooms with open-air baths, all designed in a traditional Japanese style using Kitayama cedar wood. In the open-air baths of each room, you can enjoy bathing while gazing at the natural beauty of the four seasons.
The inn's location is convenient for exploring the Sanpo area of Kyoto (Sanpo is a collective term for three famous maple leaf viewing areas in Kyoto, including Takao (たかお), Makino (まきのお), and Togano (とがの)). Typically, the autumn foliage season from late October to mid-November is the most beautiful time of the year. This autumn, why not visit Takao's Jingoji Temple, Makinozan Nishinoin Temple, and Toganosan Kosanji Temple to enjoy the autumn leaves?
- Momijiya Bekkan Kawa No Iori Ryokan（もみぢ家 別館 川の庵）
- Address: Umegahata Nishinohatacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8289
- Access: Take the JR Sagano Line to JR Sagano Line Hanazono Station, then take a taxi for about 10 minutes.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~ / Check-out: ~10:00
- Official Website: https://www.momijiya.jp/room/hanare.php
- Booking Sites: Agoda Hotels.com Rakuten Travel
HOSHINOYA Kyoto（星のや京都）
"HOSHINOYA Kyoto（星のや京都）" is a hotel located 15 minutes by boat from Arashiyama in Kyoto. It is situated in a valley upstream of the Oi River. Originally, it was built by digging the Oi River and Takase River canals, and it became an inn 100 years ago. Nijiyura-noya Kyoto has inherited it and created its present form.
The guest rooms are in the Sukiya style and feature hand-polished handrails and wooden doors rejuvenated by the craftsmanship's "mizumuke" technique. Nijiyura-noya Kyoto also offers its unique tatami mat sofas. Additionally, the space incorporates Japanese aesthetics such as folding screens and lantern shadows to soothe the weary mind and body. All windows are framed, showcasing the collaboration between the Oi River and the beautiful nature.
- HOSHINOYA Kyoto（星のや京都）
- Address: 11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0007
- Access: It takes about 30 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station to Hoshinoya Kyoto.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~ / Check-out: ~12:00
- Official Website: https://hoshinoya.com/kyoto/
- Booking Sites: Agoda Rakuten Travel
Keizankaku Hotel（おもてなしの宿 渓山閣）
Omotenashinoyado Keizankaku Hotel (おもてなしの宿 渓山閣)" is a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) located in Yunohana Onsen, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. It's about a 15-minute drive from JR Kameoka Station. Kameoka City is also the starting point of the Hozugawa River and the scenic Sagano Romantic Train.
The history of Yunohana Onsen dates back a long time when wounded warriors would come to heal in the hot springs nestled in the valley. You can enjoy the "Honoka-no-Yu," a hot spring bath completely made of cypress wood that imparts the warmth of wood while gazing at nature, and the "Nagomi-no-Yu," which brings to mind traditional Japanese architecture.
The meals served here feature carefully selected dishes with vibrant colors, allowing you to taste Kyoto's cuisine that respects the seasons and utilizes seasonal ingredients.
- Keizankaku Hotel（おもてなしの宿 渓山閣）
- Address: Shimotoge-20-6 Hiedanocho Saeki, Kameoka, Kyoto 621-0033
- Access: It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from JR Kameoka Station. There are shuttle buses available from JR Kameoka Station and the Kameoka Train Station (Sagano Scenic Railway), but reservations are required.
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~ / Check-out: ~10:00
- Official Website: http://www.keizankaku.com/
- Booking Sites: Agoda Hotels.com Rakuten Travel
