Hello, this is Shinobu, editor in charge of Atmoph’s scenery information.
Up until recently, everyone was saying, “Why is it still so hot?” and “Where did autumn go?”—but at last, it finally feels like this fleeting season has arrived. Honestly, it almost feels like we’ve skipped straight to winter… but let’s not think too hard about that.
Despite the odd weather, the maples have somehow made it safely to their peak season. Every day, I check the forecasts to see how the colors are progressing, and it keeps me excited. Even the cherry trees along the river near my home have begun to turn red. Cherry trees you can enjoy in both spring and autumn—what a gift.
Since Atmoph is based in Kyoto, Atmoph Window offers plenty of Kyoto landscapes. Among them, the autumn foliage scenes are truly exceptional. Today, I’d like to introduce a few of our favorites under the theme “Kyoto in Fall.”
Kodaiji in Fall
Kōdai-ji is one of Kyoto’s iconic foliage spots, always mentioned at the top of any list. It was built by Nene (Kōdai-in), the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for his repose.
The garden, considered especially beautiful, was designed by Kobori Enshū—an Edo-period tea master and landscape architect. The deep space framed by Higashiyama as borrowed scenery makes the bright red maples truly stand out.
Every year, the temple hosts nighttime light-ups during foliage season. Enjoy the illuminated garden at home as well on these long autumn evenings.
Autumn Leaves at Shinsho Gokuraku-ji Temple
Shinshōgokuraku-ji, commonly called Shinnnyo-dō, is a Tendai temple located north of Okazaki, on the southern slope of Yoshida Hill. The spacious grounds house not only the main hall but also a three-story pagoda and a karesansui rock garden.
Flowers bloom throughout the seasons at Shinnyo-dō, but its autumn colors are especially famous. During peak season, the grounds turn into a carpet of fallen leaves just like in the scene we feature.
Genkoan
Genkō-an sits in Kyoto’s quiet northwestern area, along the old Takagamine road that once connected to Wakasa. Normally a peaceful temple, it becomes lively with visitors during the fall foliage season.
The main hall is known for the “Window of Confusion” and the “Window of Enlightenment,” but the garden you see from the corridor is just as captivating—a scene that feels like you’re quietly sitting there, gazing out, letting your mind clear.
Picture Frame Garden of Hosenin Temple
The rural, nature-rich area of Ōhara also boasts many famous foliage spots, and Hōsen-in is one of them. It was founded in the late Heian period as one of the sub-temples of Shōrin-in, a Tendai temple.
This garden—called Bankan-en, meaning “a place so lovely you won’t want to leave”—lets you enjoy the combination of autumn leaves with Ōhara’s characteristic bamboo grove.
Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama
Finally, Arashiyama’s symbol: Togetsu Bridge over the Katsura River. Its wooden railing gives it a classic Kyoto charm, and the view of the river and surrounding mountains is something you can’t help but gaze at.
Here, the mountains are dyed in a mix of colors—vivid and varied—which is part of Arashiyama’s unique appeal. Although most people admire the mountains from afar like this, they actually hide fun spots such as the Kyoto Round Trail and the Monkey Park.
The autumn foliage season always seems to pass in a flash, and even when you want to visit these famous spots, sometimes you just don’t make it. In those moments, why not enjoy leaf-peeping through your Atmoph Window at home? Explore autumn scenes from across Japan and around the world, and find the one that speaks to you.
