Autumn in Japan: The Best Place to Experience it & Tips for a More Memorable Trip

I think one of my most favorite memories in Japan was waking up in the dark of the morning to the quiet sound of drums beating in the temple complex behind our apartment.

And I feel like that’s just the perfect representation of what it’s like to live in Kyoto. 

It’s the original capital of Japan, and it’s a place where I’ve heard that the Japanese people say they visit so that they can truly feel Japanese.

You’ll just be walking down a quiet narrow street and come across a small quaint temple with a plaque. And when you check it over, you’ll realize it was built all the way back in the year 700(?!). 

Or there will be geishas walking the streets, a 300+ year-old sweets shop, and a restaurant that dates back to 1465.

And on top of all of this, it has so many traditional festivals, and a lot of renowned temples and shrines.

But then you also get this modern side of Japan as well. There are Pinteresty chocolate shops and a “fire ramen bar.”

So if you want to see both sides, then it’s easily available.

Menbaka Fire Ramen above. One of our favorite places to eat!

We had stayed there for around 3 months and it was honestly the perfect place to get a really good feel for Japanese history, its culture, and enjoy the turning hues.

And while I’d love to go to Tokyo the next time I visit, I was happy to stay here and watch the leaves turn bright autumn colors and explore the temple grounds.

Japan is very proud of their cultural heritage; they keep it alive and it can be easily seen in their incredible museums (Japan made me a museum person.. I’m NOT a museum person), their festivals, and the arts.

Also, Kyoto made me feel like I was living in a Miyazaki movie. With the green moss, gardens, and narrow traditional streets and homes, I could easily see where he got his inspiration.

It’s rich in history and traditions, and bountiful in beautiful garden and temple grounds. Basically, the perfect destination for autumn leaf viewing.

And with that long introduction finished, here are some things to do when visiting Kyoto, and experiencing autumn in Japan.

12 Tips & Places to Make Your Fall Trip to Japan Memorable

1. Take the Spiral Brick Tunnel to the Temples & Gardens

Nejiri-mampo, or the spiral brick tunnel, is right across the street from the Keage Station (if you’re taking the subway).

And as you walk through it, you’ll be let out onto a walkway that’s lined by different temples you can enter. Some of them do charge, but it’s definitely worth it! 

They’re great places to experience a Japan autumn, pleasant temperatures, and enjoy the vivid hues of.

Here are my favorites to see in that area:

• Daineiken Temple
• Konchi-in Temple (big and super gorgeous!)
• 南禅寺 三門 (Sorry! You’ll have to copy & paste since I can’t find its English name.)

Pro Tip: Head over to Blue Bottle, an awesome coffee house right in the same area. It makes for a nice break from all the walking around.

2. Cafe Sarasa Nishijin (Japanese Bathhouse Turned Cafe)

Japan is known for its bathhouses and this one was turned into a super cute cafe! It’s such a great place to go on a date (or by yourself with a book) and relax with a cozy drink out of the cold fall air.

I really enjoyed their coffee and cakes!

Definitely bring your camera though! It’s very photogenic.

3. Walk Along the Kamo River

There’s a beautiful river that runs through the city and at night, all the restaurants, shops, and homes along the waters start to light up and make for an incredible atmosphere. 

It’s a great place to relax on a sunny Autumn day, enjoy temperate weather, hear live music playing, and stop into a tasty eatery or bakery.

And I PROMISE you, it looks a lot better than this photo.

4. Take Part in a Tea Ceremony

We were honestly blessed enough to come across and befriend an English-speaking tea master in Japan and attend one of his tea ceremonies (on the grounds of a shrine!).

I promise you, this is not a lie, it legit happened. 😂

But thankfully, there are plenty of people in Kyoto who professionally teach and demonstrate tea ceremonies (while also allowing you to be a part of it).

And for those who don’t know what this is, it’s basically a ceremonial way of preparing and sharing tea, while enjoying each other’s company in a calm atmosphere, and apart from the busy and fast-paced everyday life.

So if you ever get the time while in Kyoto, I would definitely do this! It’s a great way to slow down, and enjoy the autumn season in Japan. You’ll be able to try autumnal sweets and enjoy the fall colors of the garden it takes place in.

5. Visit a 305-Year-Old Sweets Shop

Again, there are so many things in Kyoto that date back hundreds of years! And this Japanese sweets shop is one of them.

Wagashi is a traditional sweet that is really tasty and pairs quite nicely with a matcha latte. And I think that Sasaya Iori is one of the best places enjoy it!

Also, if you’re going during the fall, you’ll be able to try seasonal flavors and decorated desserts.

6. The Ōbai-in Temple is Another Great Place for Fall Colors

Another great spot for seeing the turning of the leaves is Ōbai-in Temple! It’s filled with beautiful red, orange, and yellow trees, lush green gardens, and places just to stop and look at the incredible landscaping. 

If you want a quiet afternoon with striking sights, then I would definitely head over here!

Pro Tip: There’s a small Indian restaurant not crazy far away called Cinnamon. I get it, it’s not Japanese, but it is pretty bomb and I loved their cheese naan.

7. The Gion District

The Gion District is filled with impressive buildings like traditional theaters, temples, and shops. I really loved walking through it and seeing girls in their beautiful kimonos, small pretty restaurants, and incredibly large buildings that held performances. Also, you might spot some geisha while there (my husband was lucky enough to see some when I wasn’t with him 😂). 

It’s perfect for outdoor walks and exploring as the weather starts to cool down!

Here are some of the top places to check out in the Gion District:

• Hōkan-ji Temple
• Nineizaka
• Sanneizaka
• Ishibe-koji Alley

8. Chocolate Shops

There are so many chocolate shops here in Kyoto! And as someone who loves chocolate, this was a very good thing.

Also, their chocolates and shops are just really pretty, so it makes for a fun date or dessert.

And if you’re not into chocolate, then don’t worry, their chocolate shops have a lot more to offer!

Here are my personal favorites:

• Bel Amer – They make such delicious but also intricately designed chocolates!
• Cacao Market – Go here! They have a ton of yummy desserts and it’s such a cute shop.
• Lindt Chocolate Cafe – This one was a favorite date spot of mine. With a thick hot chocolate and some macarons, it’s the perfect place to hang out.

9. Covered Street Markets

I love the covered streets that stretch down the long roads! They’re so pretty and full of fun restaurants, cute shops, and old temples and buildings.

I would definitely suggest putting this into your schedule as there’s a lot to see and do, and fun things to try!

Here are my favorites: 

• Teramachi Street Shopping District
• Shinkyogoku
• Nishiki Market
• Sanjo Dori

10. Breizh Café Crêperie 

This is probably one of the tastiest places to eat in Kyoto, and you need it on your list!

It’s a restaurant with foods from the region of Brittany in France and it’s delicious.

You can get some amazing Breton style crepes and delicious drinks. Plus, it’s also very close to the Teramachi Street Shopping District which makes it a nice lunch or dinner if you’re already there.

11. Toji

A great location for seeing beautiful fall colors and incredible temple grounds. There are so many amazing buildings to check out, and scenic ponds and landscaping that make it a great place to relax.

We went here on a cool fall afternoon and it was such a great experience to see the architecture, and have the sun pop out every so often to light up the moss-covered trees and shrines.

12. A Happy Pancake for Fall Themed Dishes

I LOVED this place for breakfast. They have great original recipes, but if you come during the fall, then they have some fun autumnal dishes too!

Just know that it’s a bit of a wait if you don’t get there early, or during the slow part of the day. Also, it looks like that’s the main reason why A Happy Pancake has 3.9 stars, so maybe it’s best to make reservations.

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Kyoto has so much to offer, and I hope I was able to help either a.) inspire you to visit, or b.) if you are visiting, narrow down what you want to check out. 

It really is an incredible city in Japan, and the perfect spot for looking at the changing leaves. And if you ever plan on going, then definitely send me some photos. I’d love to see them!