10 Things to Do in Kyoto in November

In November, Kyoto is magical and autumnal, with its vibrant colours and unique experiences: from the maple leaves that paint the landscape in red and gold, to the traditional festivals that immerse you in its rich history and culture.

It's a month to put on your comfiest shoes and walk along trails and through gardens, admire temples and shrines enveloped in the magical autumn atmosphere and sample delicious seasonal dishes that will delight your taste buds. There are many things to see and do in Kyoto in November, when the city invites you to immerse yourself in a unique experience full of colours, traditions and flavours.

Momiji refers to the changing colours of the leaves of the trees, which take on warm and vibrant hues, creating a visual spectacle not to be missed throughout the city. Touring Kyoto' s best temples and gardens during this period will allow you to contemplate the beauty of autumn and immerse yourself in a calm and serene atmosphere.

November is the ideal month to make the most of Momiji in Kyoto, when the colours are at their peak. Don't miss the gardens and parks famous for their beautiful maple leaves, such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

It is important to note that November is a popular month to visit Kyoto, so I recommend that you book accommodation and activities in advance. Also be aware that the weather can be cool, so bring warm clothes and an umbrella just in case - be prepared to be captivated by Kyoto's autumnal beauty during Momiji!

In November, Kyoto is filled with tradition and beauty during the annual Japan Culture Day on 3 November. You can start your day exploring the city's impressive temples and shrines, such as Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, and enjoy the architecture and serenity of its gardens.

Then you can immerse yourself in traditional arts, such as kabuki theatre or a samurai show in Kyoto, or take part in a tea ceremony and enjoy the delicate and comforting taste of an authentic matcha, the green tea. In every corner of the city, you will discover artisan workshops applying traditional techniques in ceramics, weaving and calligraphy.

On Culture Day in Kyoto, it is ideal for you to visit its museums, such as the International Manga Museum and the Kyoto National Art Museum. On this day, all admission is free and art exhibitions are organised.

The Gion Odori Geisha Festival is an annual event held in November, where you will immerse yourself in the charm of the geisha and their unique art. The main venue is the Gion Kaikan Theatre, located in the historic Gion district. There, you can marvel at the traditional dance and music performed by geisha and maiko.

The festival is a great opportunity to explore the Gion district, as its narrow streets and traditional buildings transport you back to Japan's feudal era. You can stroll along the cobbled lanes and admire the teahouses.

The Gion Odori Geisha Festival is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and charm of the city, and enjoy one of Kyoto's finest cultural performances, full of grace and elegance. This festival will transport you to a world of beauty and tradition that you will not easily forget - get ready for a unique experience in Kyoto!

Read more about the festival

• Location: 323 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan.
• Times: There are two sessions of the show. The first starts at 13:30 and the second at 16:00.
• Ticket price: from €33.

Aki Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival held in autumn in Kyoto on November 3rd, and attracts thousands of visitors every year. During the Aki Matsuri, you can enjoy performances of traditional music and dance, such as gagaku and kagura. These authentic artistic expressions will transport you back to Japan's ancient times and allow you to appreciate its history and culture.

At the Aki Matsuri, attendees at Tanukidanisan Fudoin temple are invited to write their wishes on wooden tablets, which shugendō monks will then throw into a sacred bonfire. This is also a way of asking for luck for the coming months.

The Aki Matsuri festival is a time to give thanks for the harvest and ask for blessings for the future. It is a great opportunity to connect with Japanese spirituality and tradition, as visitors can be part of these spiritual practices and immerse themselves in Japanese culture and religious beliefs.

Read more about the event

• Location: 6 Ichijōji Matsuharachō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu.
• Hours: daily from 9am to 4pm.
• Entry fee: from €3.50 per person.

The Changenkyo Matsuri Tea Festival, also known as Teatopia, is an annual event held in November in the town of Wazuka, about an hour from Kyoto. During Teatopia, tea culture is celebrated in a festive and participatory way, where you can experience tea picking, participate in a ceremony, enjoy tastings and learn about the tea production process.

In addition to tea ceremonies, there are displays of traditional tea utensils, demonstrations of tea making, and you can interact with local tea producers. The event also invites you to explore the beautiful scenery of Wazuka, known for its terraced tea plantations and breathtaking panoramic views. Visiting Wakuka is one of the best excursions you can make from Kyoto.

By attending the Changenkyo Matsuri in Wazuka, you can immerse yourself in tea culture and enjoy an authentic experience in a picturesque setting. Don't forget to plan your visit in advance and check the exact dates of the festival, as it may vary slightly each year - be prepared to enjoy the serenity of Wazuka and this ancient drink!

In November, the Tadasu no Mori Forest is transformed into a breathtaking visual spectacle. The deciduous trees display a variety of autumn colours, creating a picturesque and lively landscape. Cycling along the meandering trails while enjoying the fresh air and warm-hued scenery is one of the best things to do in Kyoto.

This forest is home to Shimogamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest and most revered shrines in Japan. November is very significant at the shrine because of the rituals and festivities that take place during this month, such as colourful ceremonies and festivals that reflect Japanese culture and traditions.

But if you want to amplify this experience, you can take a hidden electric bicycle tour of Kyoto. Among other attractions, this tour takes in the fascinating Kinkakuji Temple complex , or Golden Temple. It is ideal for enjoying the beginning of Momiji, and the natural beauty, spirituality and culture of Kyoto.

During Shichi-go-san in Ky oto, children aged 3, 5 and 7 are honoured. It is an annual festival, held at various shrines, the most important of which is at Heian Shrine on 15 November. The shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, offers a serene setting to celebrate these milestones in children's lives.

Shichi-go-san is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with children in Kyoto. Children wear kimonos and traditional dress, while parents proudly accompany them. At the shrine, sacred purification rituals are performed and special blessings are offered to wish them health and happiness.

In addition, the area around the shrine is filled with food stalls and games, so don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the cheerful atmosphere and taste delicious local dishes, which are often included in Kyoto's best food tours.

Children are sprinkled with holy water to ward off evil spirits, and families take the opportunity to have their photos taken in the shrine's beautiful gardens. Without a doubt, Shichi-go-san is a unique celebration that immerses you in the rich Japanese tradition.

Read more about Shichi-go-san

• Location: 97 Nishi Ten-no-cho, Okazaki Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (Heian Shrine).
• Opening hours: the shrine is open from 6am to 5pm, and the gardens from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
• Admission fee: entrance to the shrine is free. Admission to the gardens is approximately €4 for adults and €2 for children.

The Ōhitaki Fire Festival at Fushimi Inari Taisha is a fascinating celebration held in early November. As the main shrine of more than 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan, Fushimi Inari attracts visitors and worshippers from all over the country.

The festival begins with rituals in the main hall, where priests offer food and drink, prayers are read and priestesses perform sacred dances. The priests and attendees then move to an open space in the sanctuary, where three bonfires are lit. The priests throw bundles of prayer sticks into the fire, symbolising the release of the shrine visitors' wishes.

Also during this special festival, the deity Inari is invoked to rest on the mountain of the same name during the winter months in Kyoto, after her hard work in the rice fields during the harvest.

More information about the festival

• Location: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto.
• Hours: The festival is held every November 8 from 1pm and the bonfires are lit from 6pm.
• Admission: free of charge.

If one of your favourite things to do is to travel with flavours, in November you can attend the best cooking classes in Kyoto. In the heart of autumn, the city displays unique recipes, made from the region's typical products and served in establishments surrounded by the beauty and harmony of the place.

Here are some of the most characteristic flavours of this time of year that are often incorporated into these recipes and that you will want to learn how to use or prepare.

Tsukimi-dango rice cakes

It is made with rice from the first harvest, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Tsukimi means "looking at the moon", and is a recipe that has been made for centuries. In autumn, some restaurants and establishments offer related products, such as tsukimi burgers.

Chestnuts

Chestnuts are another typical autumn food in Kyoto. In the city's markets, such as Tsukijl and especially Nishiki, you can buy roasted chestnuts in the oldest shops. You can also try boiled rice with chestnuts mochigome or pressed rice cakes with chestnuts in many of the city's restaurants.

Chitose-ame candy

During Shichi-go-san (Children's Day), it is customary to give chitose-ame candies made from rice vinegar and sugar. But these are not just sweets for children, as they are filled with amulets and symbols of good fortune and longevity.

Maple leaves

Undoubtedly the region's most characteristic (and perhaps most unique) snack. In autumn, these red-tinted leaves are a typical edible product. Battered like a biscuit, you can enjoy them while strolling through the city's gardens watching the momiji.

The Kyokusui No Utage, or Meandering Stream Festival, is a very old Shinto ritual celebrated in spring (29 April) and autumn (3 November) in some places in Japan. Among these, the Jōnangū Shrine, located south of Kyoto, where the ritual is performed in the same way as it was originally celebrated.

The Kyokusui No Utage is an event in which Japanese-style poems (waka) are written and read while drinking sake near a stream of water.

The participants, dressed in traditional costumes, enter the garden where the priest tells them the theme on which they are to compose their poems. The poets then sit near a stream and write their poems, and every now and then they send each other cups of sake on little boats in the shape of birds.

During the celebration, the music of various koto can be heard in the Jōnangū garden. It is certainly an experience that will transport you back to the poetry contests of ancient times.

For further information, please visit

• Location: 7 Nakajimatobarikyūchō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu (Jōnangū Shrine)
• How to get there: by underground, get off at Takeda Station and walk for about 20 minutes. There are also buses to the shrine at the Hachijō exit of the station.
• Interesting fact: the shrine has extensive gardens divided into five areas with designs representing different landscape styles from Japan's history.