Japan, Asia

Kyoto in November

Fall color builds through the month toward a mid-November to early-December peak. Tofuku-ji and Arashiyama are mobbed at peak; evening illuminations are worth the planning.

BestCool and sunny, highs near 63F (17C)

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflected in its pond, Kyoto — KyotoPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Kyoto. Fall color builds through the month toward a mid-November to early-December peak. Tofuku-ji and Arashiyama are mobbed at peak; evening illuminations are worth the planning.

Weather: Cool and sunny, highs near 63F (17C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What November is like in Kyoto

November is fall color season. Highs are near 63F (17C), days are cool and sunny, and the maples build toward a peak from mid November to early December. Crowds and prices hit their high point, and Tofuku-ji and Arashiyama are mobbed at peak. Several temples run evening illuminations of the leaves.

It suits travelers who dream of red maples and are willing to book far ahead and start early. It is hard on budgets and crowd haters. For similar weather with fewer people, try October, or early December for late color.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Kyoto this month.

Maple color at Tofuku-ji and Eikan-do

The temple maples turn fiery red in the second half of the month. Arrive at opening to see them before the crowds.

Night illuminations

Several temples light up their autumn leaves after dark. It is worth planning an evening around one.

Arashiyama in autumn

The hills above the river turn red and gold. Go early, then walk the quieter paths.

What to pack for November

A warm jacket for cool evenings
Layers you can take off in the sun
Comfortable shoes that slip off easily
A small flashlight for night illuminations

Our timing tip

Book rooms months ahead for mid to late November, and visit the most famous maple temples right at opening time.

Book Kyoto for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Kyoto
Opens a hotel search for Kyoto in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
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Vacation rentals in Kyoto
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Kyoto
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kyoto for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Autumn leaf season

Mid November into early December

The maples peak later than most first-timers expect. Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do, and Arashiyama lead; several temples run nighttime illuminations.

Things to do in Kyoto

Full guide

Fushimi Inari Taisha

The thousand-gate mountain shrine, open 24 hours. Go at dawn or after dinner; by mid morning the lower gates are a slow-moving line.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Gleaming above its pond and busy all day. Arrive at opening or in the last hour for the calmest light.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arashiyama bamboo grove and river

The bamboo path is short and mobbed by 9am. Come very early, then give the rest of the day to the riverside, monkey park, and Okochi Sanso garden.

Tickets and tours →

Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama lanes

The hillside temple's veranda view is the classic Kyoto panorama. The preserved streets below (Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka) are best before the shops open.

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Gion at dusk

Lantern-lit Hanamikoji street and the Shirakawa canal. Be respectful: photographing geiko and maiko on private lanes is restricted.

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Nishiki Market

Five blocks of food stalls, pickles, knives, and skewers. Go hungry, midmorning, before the afternoon crush.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Kyoto rewards early risers more than any city in Asia: Fushimi Inari at 6:30am and the bamboo grove at 7am are transcendent, and both are shoulder to shoulder by 10.
In blossom and maple season, hit the famous gardens at opening, then spend afternoons at second-tier temples (Shoren-in, Honen-in, Daitoku-ji's subtemples) that see a fraction of the traffic.
Stay overnight rather than day-tripping from Osaka: the magic hours are before the day-trip waves arrive and after they leave.
Skip the buses at peak season; they jam solid. The subway, JR lines, and a bike cover most of the city faster.

Know before you go

December 29 through January 3: many restaurants and shops close for the New Year holiday while shrines see their heaviest crowds of the year.
Golden Week (late April to early May) and the mid-November maple peak are Kyoto's two sold-out windows: nothing closes, everything fills. Book transport and rooms far ahead or shift your dates.
Some temples close irregularly for private ceremonies, and several famous gardens admit visitors only in short spring and fall windows. Check specific temples before anchoring a day to them.
Obon in mid August brings closures at some family-run restaurants and shops while the big sights run normally.