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November · early December

TikTok’s red maples: Kyoto in autumn

Momiji is Kyoto’s headline season. Maples turn red from mid-November to early December, and it is all over TikTok.

Book on WhatsAppTikTok special price: 30,000 ¥ 38,000 ¥

November · early December

Eikan-dō at night

Eikan-dō at night

The shot
The pond reflecting the lit-up maples: the mirror shot.
When to go
Autumn night illumination; go right at opening.
Guide’s tip
Crouch and film the reflection with your phone almost touching the water.
Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera

The shot
The wooden stage floating over a sea of maples.
When to go
First thing in the morning or at the autumn night illumination.
Guide’s tip
The best shot is from the viewpoint opposite, not from the stage itself.
Arashiyama bamboo grove

Arashiyama bamboo grove

The shot
The bamboo tunnel, and the river with red hills.
When to go
Before 8:00; after that it is a corridor of people.
Guide’s tip
Pair it with Togetsukyō Bridge: maples behind, river in front.
Nara’s deer

Nara’s deer

The shot
The deer that bows to you… among red leaves.
When to go
In the morning, when the deer are calmest.
Guide’s tip
Bow your head slowly and many deer bow back.
Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari

The shot
The endless tunnel of orange torii gates.
When to go
At sunrise or dusk; climb past the halfway point.
Guide’s tip
Beyond the Yotsutsuji viewpoint the crowds almost disappear.
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

The shot
The slope of wooden houses with Yasaka Pagoda behind.
When to go
Very early, before the shops open.
Guide’s tip
The classic spot for a kimono video: I’ll tell you where to rent one.

Hidden gems across Japan · Autumn

What people save… and almost nobody visits

Gardens, flowers and landscapes from all over Japan that show up in saved videos, not on the usual tours.

  1. Shōwa Kinen Park ginkgo avenue

    Tokyo (Tachikawa) · mid to late November

    Why people save it
    A tunnel of yellow ginkgo trees over a golden carpet of leaves: autumn’s most-saved yellow.
    Getting there
    JR train from Shinjuku to Tachikawa, about 30–40 minutes. Weekday mornings are best.

  2. Lake Kawaguchi Momiji Corridor

    Yamanashi · early to mid November

    Why people save it
    Red maples lit up at night with Mount Fuji behind.
    Getting there
    Bus from Shinjuku. Go in the morning for a clear Fuji and come back at dusk for the lights.

  3. Rurikō-in

    Kyoto (Yase) · opens only in special seasons; autumn is the most wanted

    Why people save it
    Red maples reflected on a black lacquered desk: it looks like a painting.
    Getting there
    Eizan line from Demachiyanagi. Timed tickets sell out — book ahead.

  4. Kōrankei

    Aichi (Toyota) · second half of November

    Why people save it
    A whole valley of maples beside a red bridge, lit up at night.
    Getting there
    Bus from Nagoya; go early to avoid weekend traffic jams.

  5. Kenroku-en with yukitsuri

    Kanazawa (Ishikawa) · from November

    Why people save it
    Umbrella-shaped ropes protecting the pines from snow: a one-of-a-kind image.
    Getting there
    Train from Osaka; pair it with the Higashi Chaya geisha district.

  6. Daigo-ji and the Bentendō bridge

    Kyoto (Fushimi) · mid to late November

    Why people save it
    The red bridge and hall reflected in a pond ringed with maples.
    Getting there
    Tōzai subway to Daigo. Far fewer people than central Kyoto.

  7. Hōkyō-in

    Kyoto (Arashiyama) · November

    Why people save it
    A carpet of red leaves in a small, silent garden, minutes from the bamboo.
    Getting there
    Walk from Saga-Arashiyama station. Perfect after the bamboo grove.

  8. Momijidani on Miyajima

    Hiroshima · mid to late November

    Why people save it
    The maple valley behind the floating torii, with deer wandering around.
    Getting there
    Ferry from Miyajimaguchi. Same day as Hiroshima: museum in the morning, island in the afternoon.
I’ll help you fit it into your trip

In Kansai I guide you myself; elsewhere I help with the plan and connect you with guides from our team.

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Other seasons

WinterDecember · January · February 30,000 ¥ SpringLate March · early April 30,000 ¥

Questions

Will you film the videos for me?

I help with angles and timing, and film the shots you appear in on your phone. Editing and posting are up to you.

What does the special price include?

The guiding: about 4 hours of private guide for your group. Tickets, transport and meals are paid separately.

Can we add other places?

Yes. The route adapts to what you want to film. For a full day, I’ll give you the price when you book.

Is there halal food on the route?

Yes. I can plan the route with halal food stops and places to pray.