October in Kyoto is the perfect season to travel with cool and pleasant weather.
With many sunny days and relatively uncrowded, this is an excellent time to visit the sights if you want to spend extra time sightseeing.
This article will introduce you to 10 historic buildings and sceneries of Kyoto in autumn!
1. Tofukuji Temple (Kyoto City / Higashiyama-ku)
|Modern and beautiful, the temple was built as the largest temple complex in Kyoto
Tofukuji Temple was built by the regent Kujyo Michiie (1193-1252), who wished it to be like Todaiji Temple, the largest temple in Nara, and Kofukuji Temple, the greatest temple in Nara. The temple's precincts are lined with halls, many of which are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, including the Sanmon Gate, Hattou hall, Butsuden Hall, and Hojo room.
The garden in the main premises was designed by the gardener Mirei Shigemori (1896-1975) and features a modern Japanese design with sand patterns representing rough waves and checkered patterns using moss. It is a modern Zen garden.
2. Kodaiji Temple (Kyoto City / Higashiyama-ku)
|A valuable temple with buildings from the Momoyama period
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Kodaiji Temple was built in 1606 by Kitanomandokoro, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), to mourn the death of Hideyoshi. The temple's name originated from her new name when she was ordained. The Karakasatei building, built in the Momoyama period (1573-1603), is an unusual building with a radiating bamboo ceiling like an open umbrella. It has been designated as an important cultural property along with Shiguretei. building
The garden was created by Kohori Enshu (1579-1647), active in the Momoyama period, and its composition of the trees and masonry surrounding the garden is a delight to visitors' eyes.
3. Hokanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) (Kyoto City / Higashiyama-ku)
|The Yasaka Pagoda, a symbol of Kyoto standing in the city
Hokanji Temple was built in 592 by Prince Shotoku, who was told in a dream by Nyoirin Kannon (One of the Goddess of Mercy). It was later destroyed by fire but was rebuilt in its present form by Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394-1441) in 1440. It is located between Yasaka Shrine in the north and Kiyomizudera Temple in the south and is commonly referred to as the "Yasaka Pagoda.
The pagoda is about 46 meters high and stands in the city. It makes it an impressive sight. The pagoda is a landmark of the area and is an indispensable part of the landscape. At night, the Yasaka Pagoda is lit up and can be seen shining in the darkness.
4. Ishibe Alley (Kyoto City / Higashiyama-ku)
|An alley that has Japanese tradition and Taisho period’s atmospheree
Ishibe Alley is a Kyoto-style alley formed between the Meiji era (1868-1912) and the Taisho era (1912-1926). The narrow alley is lined with stone pavement, stone walls, and wooden houses that make you feel like you have stepped in the past. The alley was transformed into its current form during the Taisho era, and it gives it an eclectic atmosphere of Japanese and Western styles.
5. Shisendo Temple (Kyoto City / Sakyo-ku)
|Feel the seasons from one of theKyoto's most famous gardens
Shiseido Temple is the former mountain villa of Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672), a literary figure active in the early Edo period (1603-1868). It is also called "Jozanji Temple" because it is now a temple of the Soto sect in China.
The garden, filled with the passion of Ishikawa Jozan, is a place where you can feel the four seasons of Kyoto. The leaves change color as an early year is in late October. It is a popular spot for a spectacular autumn leave scene. It is also called the birthplace of the Shishiodoshi (devices to make a sound for scaring away animals), and the echoing sounds of nature create a uniquely Japanese beauty.
6. Kamo Omiya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) (Kyoto City / Sakyo-ku)
|One of the oldest shrines in Kyoto that has influenced history
Kamo Mikoto Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It is also called "Shimogamo Shrine" because the shrine is located downstream of the Kamo River. In the Heian period (794-1185), the shrine was frequently mentioned in the literature and flourished as a center of culture and religion.
The Aioi Shrine, located in front of the tower gate, enshrines the god of marriage and is home to a mysterious tree that trunks of two trees have become one.
7. Hosenin Temple ( Kyoto City / Sakyo-ku )
|Bamboo garden seen from the frame of theJapanese room
The Shoin (document room) of Hosenin was reconstructed around the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868). The space between the pillars of the guest house is used as a frame, and visitors can savor green tea and Japanese sweets while appreciating the garden. In the garden, there are pine trees that are over 700 years old and a lush bamboo grove, which, together with the autumn leaves. It makes for vivid color and a spectacular spot.
8. Shugakuin Imperial Villa (Kyoto City / Sakyo-ku)
|Making the distant mountains part of the garden
Shugakuin Imperial Villa is a facility related to the imperial family in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, built in 1659 by Emperor Gomizunoo. The site consists of three detached palaces, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Palaces, covering 545,000 square meters, including the surrounding forests and rice paddies. The garden was designed so that even the distant mountains seemed to be part of the garden. It creates beautiful harmony between nature and buildings.
It is a place where you can enjoy various sceneries throughout the year.
9. Mikane Shrine (Kyoto City/Nakagyo-ku)
| Popular shrine in Kyoto where the god of money is enshrined
This shrine is dedicated to "the god of Kanayamabiko," in Japanese mythology. The shrine is located in the center of Kyoto, where many buildings and condominiums stand side by side, and its golden torii gate stands out. As a shrine associated with "money," many ginkgo-shaped votive tablets are dedicated to the gods, hoping for better luck with money.
The shrine is open 24 hours a day, so it is one of Kyoto's most popular tourist spots, with many worshippers visiting even late at night.
10. Honnoji Temple (Kyoto City/Nakagyo-ku)
| A temple associated with Oda Nobunaga
Nichiryu Shonin founded Honnoji Temple in the Muromachi period (1336-1573). When the temple was moved to Rokkaku Omiya, a large temple complex was restored with a vast temple area.
The temple has been repeatedly burned down and relocated seven times since its founding and is famous for the "Honnoji Incident," in which Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) committed suicide. After Nobunaga's death, the temple was moved to its present location by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi(1537-1598).
Kyoto has many beautiful spots that make the precious buildings and naturally beautiful. Why not experience Kyoto's early autumn in October?