12月3日、午前中から真如堂へ行ってきました。晩秋ならではの景色を写真に収めたくて、いつもながら散歩がてら足を運んだんです。

真如堂といえば紅葉の名所として有名ですが、実は“2度”紅葉を楽しめる場所。1度目は赤く色づく頃、そして2度目は落葉したモミジが地面を染める季節です。

とはいえ住職さん曰く、「掃除は本当に大変なんですよ」とのこと。たしかに、この落ち葉の量を毎日掃くのは…想像しただけで大変。でもそのおかげで、木漏れ日に照らされた落葉の絨毯が、なんとも幻想的な風景をつくり出しています。

そしてこの景色、意外にも知られていないのか、三重塔付近より人が少なめ。ゆっくり紅葉を楽しむには、ちょっとした穴場スポットかもしれません。真如堂の紅葉はまだ楽しめますよ。

京都市内の紅葉は終盤に差しかかっていますが、まだまだ楽しめる場所はあります。明日以降もどこか巡ってみようかな、なんて考えています。ただ、明日は雪予報で一気に冷え込みそう！


[2025 Autumn in Kyoto] The Hidden Beauty of Shinyodo: A Carpet of Fallen Maple Leaves

On December 3rd, I visited Shinyodo Temple in the morning to capture the kind of late-autumn scenery you can only see this time of year.

Shinyodo is well known as one of Kyoto’s top spots for autumn foliage — but what many people don’t realize is that you can enjoy the colors twice. The first time is when the leaves turn bright red. The second is when the vibrant fallen maples blanket the ground like a natural red carpet.

According to the head priest, though, maintaining this beauty is quite a challenge:

“Sweeping all these fallen leaves every day is really tough.”
And I can only imagine how much work that must be! Still, thanks to their efforts, the sunlight filtering through the trees onto the leaf-covered ground creates a magical, almost dreamlike scene.

Surprisingly, this area—especially around the three-story pagoda—is much quieter than other popular spots. It feels like a hidden haven where you can take your time and truly enjoy the autumn atmosphere. Shinyodo’s fall foliage is still going strong!

While many places in Kyoto are nearing the end of the autumn season, there are still spots worth visiting. I’m thinking about continuing my little foliage tour in the coming days… though with snow in the forecast tomorrow, it might suddenly get very cold!