An Evening Walking Tour: Quiet Kyoto Autumn Foliage with a Local Guide

Do you feel that Kyoto's autumn foliage is too crowded to enjoy in quiet contemplation?

This tour offers a peaceful experience. Join a knowledgeable local guide as we explore tranquil areas of Kyoto's Higashiyama district on a walking tour. We will visit hidden gems away from the bustling major tourist sites, allowing you to immerse yourself in the autumn atmosphere in a calm setting.

This tour's value lies in being able to enjoy two distinct faces of the autumn leaves at once: the daytime colors at Nanzen-ji and Shinnyo-do, and the magical nighttime illumination at Konkai-Komyoji. Your guide, who knows Kyoto intimately, will reveal easily missed scenic spots and help you discover the deep charms of each temple.

*This is a walking tour that involves substantial movement between temples. The route includes slopes and stairs, so please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you have any concerns about your physical stamina, please consult with us in advance.

One of Kyoto's most representative Zen temples. The magnificent "Sanmon" gate, standing 22 meters tall and counted among Japan's three great gates, is truly breathtaking. Also, a must-see is the brick "Suirokaku" aqueduct standing quietly in the temple grounds. It was built about 130 years ago to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto and is still in use today. The arched bridge is a popular photo spot.

Shinnyo-do Temple is the perfect hidden gem for those who want to enjoy the autumn leaves quietly, away from the tourist crowds. It is also known for its "maple leaf carpet," where colored leaves dye the ground red, offering beautiful scenery even as the season fades. The maples coloring the grounds, not just the main path, evoke the deep atmosphere of autumn in Kyoto. Furthermore, since the peak viewing times differ between the front and back areas of the temple grounds, you can enjoy the autumn leaves for approximately one month.

Konkai-Komyoji Temple, known locally as "Kurodani-san," offers its biggest highlight through the "Special Night Viewing" you will experience on this tour. The autumn leaves, illuminated against the dark night, create a magical world. In the Shiun-no-niwa Garden, you can enjoy the exceptional beauty of the "sakasa momiji" (inverted maple leaves), where the lit-up foliage reflects on the water's surface. Furthermore, in the Ohojo (Large Abbot's Quarters), you can admire precious, usually private, treasures such as Ito Jakuchu's "Chickens" (Keizu) and the "Tiger sliding door paintings (fusuma-e)" which appear to change depending on the viewing angle. Enjoy this special nighttime viewing, along with daytime highlights like the unique "Afro Buddha" statue and the magnificent Sanmon gate. Additionally, Japanese traditional music (Hogaku) concerts featuring the koto and shinobue flute are held three times during the Special Night Viewing hours, allowing you to spend an even more exceptional time.

◎ English-speaking local guide
◎ Special night viewing admission fee for Konkai-Komyoji Temple
◎ Food and drinks at Rensairo (cafe)
× Transportation to the meeting point and from the ending point

15:00 — Meet at Nanzen-ji Temple Chumon Gate (Middle Gate), tour begins

15:05 — Explore Nanzen-ji Temple (see Sanmon gate, Suirokaku aqueduct, etc.)

15:40 — Head to Konkai-Komyoji Temple via Okazaki Shrine

16:05 — Explore Konkai-Komyoji Temple (see Afro Buddha, Sanmon gate, Amida Hall, etc.)

16:30 — Explore Shinnyo-do Temple (see autumn leaves around the three-storied pagoda and main hall)

17:00 — Cafe break (Rensairo)

17:30 — Konkai-Komyoji Special Night Viewing (Miei-do Hall, Ohojo, Shiun-no-niwa Garden)

18:30 — Tour ends (around Kyoto City Bus "Okazaki-michi" stop)

・Your reservation will be confirmed upon a reply from Sharing Kyoto.
・Please book at least 2 days in advance so that we can build the best experience for you.
・Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. Minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before applying. Elementary school children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
・The experience may be canceled or postponed at short notice, or the content may be changed due to traffic conditions, etc.
・We may share your responses to surveys and reviews on our social networking sites and media.

・Free of charge for cancellations up to 3 days prior to the tour date, 100% for cancellations 2 days or less prior to the tour date.
・Special Cases (Natural disaster, virus, etc.): Full refund.
・Transaction fees for refunds in the event of cancellation will be borne by the customer.
・Please contact us if you will be more than 5 minutes late. If you are late without notice, we may have to treat your booking as a cancellation. Please be aware of this policy.