I visited in late June, hydrangeas were marvelous. Photos do not showcase how delightful they looked in reality. Wonderful view of the city from the mountain. Also, if you collect goshuin - handwritten & beautiful! I recommend coming here with a car!
This is a sprawling temple with multiple levels, set on the top of a mountain overlooking Kyoto from the west. The views are impressive, and so are all the numerous halls that you can see here, complete with the largest crawling pine in Japan. Be sure to go to the nearby Sanko-ji, too, as it is basically connected to the grounds of Yoshiminedera.
I strongly recommend to hike from here to Yanagidani kannon (Yokoku-ji), as the views and Yokoku-ji itself are very much worth it. It's a two-hour hike that is not too hard, even though the first couple minutes might be a little challenging at first, and the entrance to the route looks scary... but it is well kept and marked with signposts and dotted with rest areas and landmarks, so you won't get lost (the route is harder from the opposite direction - climbing from Yokoku-ji).
A quiet temple in the western mountains of Kyoto, best reached by a train and taxi ride. Large and beautiful grounds and temple complex to explore and contemplate. Also has a breathtaking panoramic view of Kyoto at its highest vantage points. Quintessential Kyoto autumn views everywhere. Well worth a visit if you have the time, especially in peak autumn Koyo 🍂 viewing season.
Located in the middle of the mountains, and there is a very convenient parking lot. When we arrived there, it was evening time. It not only had a beautiful autumn scenery, but also provided a beautiful sunset view. The famous pine tree, is a posture of lying down, which is very worthy of attention.
Fantastic place where very few tourists venture. Around 90-100 minutes from Kyoto. Reaching it seamless, courtesy Japan public transport 👏🏼🙏🏼.
Loved the silence, tranquility and peace it brought to you. No one to push you, rush you or jostle you 😀. Entry fee 500¥.
You have to climb a lot but definitely worth it!! A very old shrine, some part of it out of bounds.
