Enkō-ji Temple, Kyoto | No reservation needed for the perfect photo

| No reservation needed for the perfect photo. Enkō-ji Temple, Kyoto. I left at 7 am to see what it feels like to enjoy the maple leaves at a temple with few people. 📍13 Ichijōji Kotani-chō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto 🕐Normal hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm Maple leaf season: 8:00 am–5:00 pm 🎫 Admission: Adults: JPY 600 (JPY 1,000 during maple leaf season); high school students and younger: JPY 300 (JPY 500 during maple leaf season) 🚌 Transportation: Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway to Kokusaikaikan Station, transfer to Bus No. 5, and get off at Ichijōji Shimoimatsu-chō Station. The temple is about a 7-minute walk from the station. Alternatively, take the Eizan Electric Railway to Ichijōji Station. The temple is about a 17-minute walk from the station. 🍁 Best time to see the maple leaves The best time to see the maple leaves at Enkō-ji Temple is usually from mid-November to early December. ✅ Dry landscape garden and red maple leaves: Enkō-ji Temple is home to the famous dry landscape garden "Hōryū-tei." The white sand symbolizes lakes and seas, the lines represent ripples, and the scattered stones symbolize islands, land, and mountains. The garden is surrounded by red maple leaves, creating a picturesque scene. ✅ Overlook the garden and gaze into the distance: Climb to the top of the temple to overlook the red maple leaves in the garden and gaze into the distance at Mount Kitayama and Mount Arashiyama. The view is wide and the scenery is beautiful. ‼️ Make a reservation in advance: The temple is crowded during the peak maple leaf season, so reservations are required. However, if you arrive early, you can buy a ticket and enter without a reservation. Try to visit the temple as soon as it opens in the morning. There are fewer visitors at this time, so you can enjoy the maple leaves without the crowds.