Autumn trip to #Kyoto Japan | autumn leaves & light up, cafe hopping

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Autumn trip to #Kyoto Japan | autumn leaves & light up, cafe hopping | JAPAN VLOG

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Explore Kyoto's autumn beauty with cafe visits, stunning temple views, a unique night train experience, and delicious local food, all while navigating the season's crowds.

2 days · 13 places · 4 experiences

Day 1 · 2 places · Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Autumn Day 1: Forest Cafe, Rurikoin, Gyukatsu & Night Train

“This was my first full day exploring Kyoto, starting with coffee, a hidden forest cafe, the stunning Rurikoin, a delicious gyukatsu dinner, and ending with a unique night train experience to see autumn leaves.”

Experience · 1 place
Reflecting autumn leaves at Rurikoin
afternoon
I had to book almost a month in advance to visit Rurikoin, but the view leading up to the temple was already stunning. The amazing view from inside, especially with the reflection from the table, makes it even more beautiful. Even though the autumn leaves weren't fully ready, the gradient looked just as nice. If you come around 4:30 PM, you can also catch the night light-up.
1
Rurikoin Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.3 (4,422)Closed · opens Wednesday 10 AM
Creator's voice
A famous temple known for one of the best autumn views in Kyoto, requiring booking almost a month in advance during peak season. The temple offers stunning autumn foliage, especially beautiful with reflections. It's open for night light-ups around 4:30 PM.
Rurikōin Temple, 55 Kamitakano Higashiyama, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0067, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Eizan Train Autumn Leaves Light-Up Special Train
evening
Go on board this night train to see the autumn leaves light up! You have to book tickets in advance as it's only available for a short time during autumn. It's like a normal train ride, but the lights turn off as it approaches the illuminated areas. The whole ride is about 2 hours and has a few pit stops along the way. It's such a unique way to experience autumn leaves at night.
2
Eizan Electric Railway
Railroad company · Kyoto
4.2 (33)
Creator's voice
The Eizan Train offers an 'Autumn Leaves Light-Up Special Train' for a unique night viewing experience of autumn foliage. Tickets must be booked in advance as it's a seasonal offering. The train turns off its interior lights as it passes through illuminated sections, providing a 2-hour scenic ride with a few stops.
Eizan Electric Railway Co., Ltd., 8-80 Yamabana Itchodacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8007, Japan

Day 2 · 2 places · Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Autumn Day 2: Nishiki Market, Hosen-in & Kiyomizu-dera Sunset

“My second day in Kyoto started with breakfast at Nishiki Market, followed by a visit to my favorite cafe, the peaceful Hosen-in Temple, a breathtaking sunset and light-up at Kiyomizu-dera, and a warming tsukemen dinner.”

Experience · 1 place
Zen garden and city views at Hosen-in Temple
afternoon
Head to Hosen-in Temple for another great autumn view. The temple boasts a beautiful zen garden with a stunning view of autumn foliage. Everything here is so calm and peaceful. There's also a little hill behind the shrine that offers an amazing view of the city. Even with a little rain, the view was stunning. This temple isn't very well known, but it's totally worth a visit, and would be even better around sunset.
3
Hosen-in Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.6 (1,178)Closed · opens Wednesday 9 AM
Creator's voice
A lesser-known temple in Kyoto offering a beautiful zen garden with stunning autumn foliage views. It provides a calm and peaceful atmosphere, and a hill behind the shrine offers an amazing city view. It's worth a visit, especially around sunset.
Hosen-in, 187 Oharashorinincho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1241, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Sunset and light-up at Kiyomizu-dera
sunset
Head to Kiyomizu-dera to catch the sunset and the autumn night light-up. Be prepared for massive crowds, as it's basically a line going all the way up, but try to get there about 30 minutes before sunset to secure a good spot. I somehow just made it before the sunset, and it was gone within 5 minutes, making it one of my top sunsets ever. The light-up is definitely crowded but absolutely worth the visit.
4
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.6 (72,172)Closed · opens tomorrow 6 AM
Creator's voice
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a must-visit, especially for its autumn night light-up. While it gets incredibly crowded, particularly around sunset, the experience is worth it. You can't buy tickets online for the light-up, but the line moves quickly.
Kiyomizu-dera, 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

Also in this video

5
% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama
Cafe · Kyoto
4.4 (3,039)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
If you're craving % Arabica coffee but want to avoid the long lines at other branches, I highly recommend this one. It's still one of the best coffees in Kyoto, offering a rich and smooth experience, especially good after an early train ride.
% ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama, 87-5 Hoshinocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0853, Japan
- Arabica coffee — This coffee is incredibly rich and smooth, making it one of the best in Kyoto. It's particularly satisfying after an early train journey.
6
Cafe & Gallery Hanamomo
Soba noodle shop · Kyoto
4.2Closed · opens Thursday 11 AM
Creator's voice
This beautiful cafe is truly hidden in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a serene forest. It has a rustic and cozy cottage-like interior. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and primarily serve drinks and small meals. You can also book a tea ceremony here.
Hanamomo, 398 Konbuyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0986, Japan
- Hot sandwich set with tea — I ordered the hot sandwich set, which came with tea. The sandwich itself was a delicious combination of mochi and red bean toast. It's perfect for a relaxing moment of reading and tea.
7
Kyoto Katsugyu
Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant · Kyoto
4.9 (1,459)Open · until 10:30 PM
Creator's voice
This gyukatsu restaurant is a popular spot, with about a 20-minute wait for a table. They serve classic gyukatsu sets where the meat comes half-raw, allowing you to cook it to your preferred doneness. The set includes refillable rice, cabbage, and miso soup.
GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu Sanjo-Kawaramachi, 河原町三条ＫＳビル B1F 28 Ishibashicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8036, Japan
- Classic gyukatsu set — I got the classic gyukatsu set. The meat is served half-raw, so you can cook it on a hot stone to your liking. It was really juicy and tender, and I loved that they provide many different sauces to try various flavor combinations. The set comes with refillable rice, cabbage, and miso soup.
8
Nishiki Market
Market · Kyoto
4.3 (53,488)Open now
Creator's voice
Nishiki Market is always fun to explore, with so many interesting foods. It's a great place to grab breakfast or just wander around.
Nishiki Market, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
- Soymilk donuts — These are my absolute favorite soymilk donuts! They cook them fresh for you on the spot. They are fluffy, warm, and slightly sweet – truly delicious. I tried to get them last time but the stall was closed, so I was glad to finally have them.
- Egg rolls in soup — I also got some egg rolls, which came served in a warm soup. The skill of the chefs making them is impressive.
- Freshly roasted chestnuts — I saw freshly roasted chestnuts, but I was a bit too full to eat more after the donuts and egg rolls.
9
Kissa Master
Cafe · Kyoto
4.5 (345)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
This is one of my favorite cafes in Kyoto, a place I used to frequent when I lived in Osaka. Both the food and coffee are great, but it's the perfect atmosphere that truly stands out. It also opens at night, making it a good spot to warm up with a coffee.
master-piece coffee KYOTO, 26 Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8083, Japan
10
Gion Tsukemen Takeichi
Kyoto
Creator's voice
This is a popular tsukemen shop in Kyoto, known for its noodles dipped in a thick sauce. There was about a 15-minute wait to get in. Kyoto is famous for tsukemen.
Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
- Tsukemen — These are noodles you dip in a thick, flavorful sauce. Kyoto is famous for tsukemen, and this dish looked and tasted so good. After finishing the noodles, you can add hot soup to the remaining sauce.
11
Wired Cafe Kyoto Porta
Cafe · Kyoto
3.5 (156)
Creator's voice
This is another one of my favorite cafes in Kyoto, a place I revisit almost every time I'm in the city. I enjoy revisiting places as it makes me feel nostalgic. The food and coffee are consistently good.
WIRED CAFE Kyoto Porta Shop, 京都ポルタ B1F, 902 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
- French toast with bacon and egg and a latte — I ordered the french toast with bacon and egg, along with a latte. It looked intense but was as good as usual, offering a perfect balance of salty and sweet.
12
Sannenzaka
Tourist attraction · Kyoto
4.4 (73)Closed
Creator's voice
Sannenzaka is a historic street in Kyoto. Kyoto has been super crowded lately, especially during the autumn season. If you're planning a visit, I recommend booking everything in advance and being prepared to face the crowds.
Sannenzaka, 2 Chome-211 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
13
Matcha House Maccha House
Dessert restaurant · Kyoto
4.3 (2,639)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
A popular spot to try matcha tiramisu. The creator found it delicious, despite initial concerns it might be overhyped.
Maccha House, 3 Chome-337 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
- Matcha tiramisu — I always wanted to try this matcha tiramisu. I thought it might be overhyped, but it was absolutely delicious. I'm going to enjoy my matcha and call it a day.

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