The best autumn colors in the world is to be seen in Japan, at least according to the Japanese, and nowhere is it as gorgeous as in Kyoto. Famous tree spotting areas are to be found in the northern parts of Kyoto. Arashiyama, Kurama, and Ohara in particular are popular destinations in November, both for the tourists and the locals. Some shrines, temples and gardens are also known for their beauty at the season of changing colors, notably Ryoanji, and the Tofukuji temple. They are indeed truly amazing places of beauty, but try to get there early in the morning before the crowds start to arrive. Forget about weekends and holidays.

Of course there are many more places to go where you can enjoy the colors, Kyoto is surrounded by mountains, and temples, gardens, and shrines are plentiful. Even though the above mentioned places are beautiful and famous, there are many less talked about, hidden locations not mentioned in any guidebooks. Try to walk past the food stalls and souvenir vendors, and you might find narrow paths leading to unexpected experiences of beauty and silence. To stand in line and pay an entrance fee to get the privilege to see something famous with a noisy crowd can spoil the experience. Even in Kyoto.