Kyoto Report

Autumn Color Report 2014
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2014/11/14 - Kyoto Report
by scott

Leaves on moss at Jojakkoji Temple

I headed back to Kyoto today to check back on the fall colors around some of the city's most popular autumn color spots. As mentioned on previous reports, the colors around the country started off quite a bit ahead of schedule, but have been slowing down to the point that they are only slightly ahead of schedule around Kyoto.

My first stop this morning was to Arashiyama which was only barely starting to change colors when Schauwecker was here last week. Today there were more colors to see on the slopes behind Togetsukyo Bridge, but it still looks like it hasn't reached the peak yet which will probably happen next week.

Togetsukyo Bridge
A maple along the riverbank just below the bridge

The gardens around Tenryuji Temple at the center of Arashiyama were more advanced and looked to be just about at the peak around the pond area, but still looked to be approaching the peak in the more sheltered parts of the garden.

Tenryuji Temple
A different view of the pond
Toward the bamboo grove entrance to the garden
The sheltered parts of the garden had less advanced trees

The colors around Jojakkoji have improved quite a bit since last week, but it was still fairly green. I'd give it at least a few more days until it reaches the peak at this temple.

The maple lined approach to Jojakkoji
Maple leaves and moss
The colors up around the main hall (under constuction)
Green moss
Under the yellow/green canopy
Lantern at Jojakkoji

Some of the best colors were over at Nisonin Temple just a few minutes away from Jojakkoji. Most of the maple trees were more developed and just below the peak.

Nisonin Temple
Maples near the entrance gate to the inner temple grounds
Some of the best colors on the temple grounds were up near the main hall

Next I took the long journey to farthest northeastern corner of the city to check out Sanzenin Temple in the extremely rural Ohara area of Kyoto. The Kyoto city tourism office says that the colors have reached their peak around Sanzenin, but there was still quite a bit of green around and I've seen better colors here in the past so I'm going to judge it to still be approaching the peak.

The approach to Sanzenin Temple
Sanzenin Temple
Sanzenin Temple
A small stream runs through the mossy rocks
Sanzenin Temple
Jizo statue in the moss

I ended the day at Tofukuji, which is one of the most popular autumn color spots in Kyoto. The leaves don't look to have progressed much in the week since Schauwecker was here though, and it will probably be at least a few more days until the trees are at their best around the temple.

The view of Tsutenkyo Bridge
The view from Tsutenkyo Bridge
Down in the ravine
Tenryuji Temple
Girls in kimono enjoying the leaves

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List of Posts:
2014/12/05 - Tokyo Report
2014/12/04 - Kanazawa Report
2014/12/03 - Kyoto Report
2014/12/02 - Kamakura Report
2014/11/28 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/27 - Tokyo Report
2014/11/26 - Nara Report
2014/11/25 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/21 - Osaka Report
2014/11/20 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/19 - Korankei Report
2014/11/18 - Miyajima Report
2014/11/18 - Tokyo Report
2014/11/17 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/14 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/14 - Himeji Report
2014/11/13 - Fuji Report
2014/11/13 - Tokyo Report
2014/11/12 - Eiheiji Report
2014/11/11 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/07 - Tokyo Report
2014/11/07 - Kyoto Report
2014/11/06 - Yamadera Report
2014/11/04 - Fuji Report
2014/11/04 - Hakone Report
2014/10/31 - Karuizawa Report
2014/10/29 - Shima Onsen Report
2014/10/24 - Fuji Report
2014/10/21 - Bandai Report
2014/10/21 - Nikko Report
2014/10/20 - Towada Report
2014/10/16 - Tateyama Report
2014/10/15 - Kurikoma Report
2014/10/08 - Nasu Report
2014/10/07 - Nikko Report
2014/10/01 - Oze Report
2014/09/29 - Tateyama Report
2014/09/26 - Nikko Report
2014/09/19 - Tokachidake Report
2014/09/18 - Kurodake Report
2014/09/17 - Asahidake Report

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