Yesterday Mewby and I braved the autumn weather to see the autumn leaves at Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. The Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji and the rock garden at Ryoanji are two of Kyoto’s most iconic sites and worth a visit any time of year. Right now though the autumn leaves make it just magical!
Ryoanji’s gorgeous gardens are a twenty minute stroll away from Kinkakuji if you don’t want to take a bus. On the way there are a large number of shops selling nishin (herring) soba noodles. It’s not to everyone’s taste but for myself I can’t resist a hot bowl of nishin soba after a visit to Kinkakuji. Here are the gardens at Ryoanji.
You can see more pictures like this on my personal blog here. Situated in the north-west of the city, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji are happily pretty close together so you can check them both out in one afternoon pretty easily. Check the city bus travel map for the buses that go out there. Buses do take time so we got a taxi up there (around 1500 yen from Oike) and then bus 59 back to Sanjo Keihan (220 yen). You could also go by bicycle if you have enough energy. Do remember though, you’ll be going uphill all the way there!
Related: Autumn leaves so beautiful they will make you cry!