Following last year, I went to Kyoto again this year. The main goal was to finally see Arashiyama, which I didn’t make it to last year. I’d heard people say you can’t talk about autumn in Kyoto without seeing the leaves in Arashiyama, and it really was as gorgeous as they say. The peak is probably still a week or two away, but it was already pretty nice.
Arashiyama gets absolutely packed in season, so I hurried out a bit and got there at 6 in the morning. Even at that hour the cheap parking lots were about 70% full. Yikes… I grabbed a spot in a slightly pricier lot that would be easy to get out of even once the crowds poured in, and then wandered around Arashiyama.
Arashiyama around sunrise
Nice and quiet. Getting there early meant I could take photos while there were hardly any people around, but by about 9 o’clock every spot was jammed with tour groups…
The park in Arashiyama
It’s not at its peak yet. Probably global warming… Timing-wise the peak should be next week, but sadly I couldn’t make the time. That was a real shame.
A walking path leading into the hills
There were so many places I wanted to see that I only went in a little way before turning back.
Arashiyama scenery
The sun is starting to come up.
Toward the center of Arashiyama
The boat landing is on the left and the ryokan inns are on the right.
Autumn leaves in Arashiyama Park 1
The leaves are just starting to turn.
Autumn leaves 2
Autumn leaves 3
Autumn leaves 4
Autumn leaves 5
Autumn leaves 6
Autumn leaves 7
Autumn leaves 8
Autumn leaves 9
Arashiyama from the park’s lookout
I could really feel that I’d come to Kyoto in autumn.