Philosopher’s Path - autumn foliage

Hi.

We only have a few hours in eastern Kyoto in early December, likely in time for the autumn foliage.

- if I take the city bus from JR Kyoto station to say Ginkakuji-michi, what is the one way fare ?
(I do not intend to buy a day pass as we will only take the bus twice)

- which is the nearest bus stop to start of the Philosopher's Path - Ginkakuji-michi or Ginkakuji-mae or ?

- if we want to end our visit/walk near Nanzenji temple, which spots would you best recommend for autumn foliage viewing : Philosopher's Path or Eikando temple or Honen-in or Shinnyodo or ?
(we likely only have time for 1 spot)

Thank you.

One way fare from Kyoto Station to Ginkakuji is 230 yen on number 7 bus ... it takes you to Ginkakuji-michi bus stop and then you have to walk a short distance to the temple. You will pass by the top of the philospher's path on your way to the temple.

The philosopher's path is predominantly lined with cherry trees it is not particularly scenic in autumn although it is a pleasant walk. There should be plenty of opportunities throughout higashiyama for viewing fall foliage ... If you plan your day out well you can cover a lot of ground. You make it sound as if you only have 4 or less hours though ... in which case why? I would recommend trying to fit more time in Kyoto in your itinerary.

Just fyi October 10/11/12 in Kyoto while it was mostly still very green everywhere there were a couple of maples starting to turn. Not sure how it will look by December.

December - the cherry trees will be bare along the path (not that scenic). Maples at Nanzenji - personally I prefer late November in Kyoto, but there might be some colour still around.

Eikando is one of the most famous places for autumn leaves in the area - but that said, will be flooded with visitors as well.

I recommend you not to take bus from Kyoto station. You may better take subway to Keage (transfer at Karasuma-Oike, 260 yen, 17 min). Eikando is pleasant 14 min walk, 950 m.

Other short course:

Toji. Take Kintetsu railway, 1 min, 180 yen then walk 7 min, 550 m.

Kikokutei: 10 min walk, 700 m.

Due to overtourism in Kyoto, buses are extremely crowded, especially at Kyoto station and Higashiyama district.

Thanks all, and many thanks indeed for the heads up on the bus situation in Kyoto.

- where exactly is Kikokutei located ?
I cannot seem to find it on the map, except for a Kikokuteibekkan which is a ryokan ?

- sounds like Philosopher's Path is out since there is not much of autumn foliage to see there.

- has anyone visted Hōnenin Temple 法然院 during autumn foliage ?
Any thoughts on it ?
Presumably Eikando will be awfully crowded then, hence looking for an good alternative.

- yes, we only have circa 4-5 hours in Kyoto then, not explaning the reason behind it.
We have visited Kyoto previously, but just not during autumn foliage season.
So am very keen to make the best of our short time there, preferably around nanzenji area for logistics reasons.
Or along the way from JR Kyoto station towards Nanzenji area.

Thank you very much.

- where exactly is Kikokutei located ?
I cannot seem to find it on the map, except for a Kikokuteibekkan which is a ryokan ?

Another name of Kikokutei is Shousei-en (渉成園) which is an enclave garden of Higashi-Honganji. It is located north-east of JR Kyoto station. But if you have 4-5 hours and want to go around Nanzenji, just go there by subway.

Hônen-in is a small temple with nice autumn foliage (and it is free entrance) but you must walk more 1.2 km from Eikando. Eikando is famous for autumn foliage, but if you visit in a daytime on weekdays, it will be OK. From my experience it is better than Tofukuji.

If I were you I would:

Take subway to Keage.
Walk to Nanzenji (maybe Konchi-in and Tenju-an on the way.
Walk to Eikando. If it is very crowded, skip it and walk to Honen-in.
Then back to subway Keage station.

Thanks very much frog1954 - very useful recommendation indeed :)

We will do just that.
Reason for Nanzenji is our lunch spot is also nearby.

Incidentally, is the autumn foliage at Shousei-en (渉成園) any good ?

Cheers.

In general, cherry blossoms don't look nice during koyo or autumn. As such, the philosophers trail might not be what you are looking for.

In general, maples and ginkos have the best colours. Note that the older ginkos with fruit can stink as they rott.

Others might know of other tree types of specific locations.