Kyoto

Oct 26, 2014 - 1 min read

Fall Foliage at Katsura Rikyu

See autumn color without the crowds

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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A mossy bridge is framed by crimson maples

Part of the Katsura Imperial Villa is framed by autumn color

Mornings at the villa can be extremly cold but often provide the best light for photos

A quiet path in the villa's garden

The leaves are at their peak here around late November

You can enjoy the foliage with hardly a soul in sight

This quaint thatched gate leads to more fantastic foliage

Millions flock to Kyoto every year to see the city's stunning display of fall foliage but only about two dozen of those travelers can see the beauty of Katsura Rikyu at one time. This property of the Imperial Household Agency requires a special permit to visit (free, obtainable either online via lottery system or in person at the Kyoto Imperial Palace office). The villa and surrounding garden is viewable on a guided tour only but you have plenty of time to see the splendor of autumn when there are no hordes of people competing with you for the best photo spot.This is one of the quietest places in the city to catch the maples at their seasonal best.

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By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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Bradford Pomeroy 10 years ago

Beautiful images. The shot of the Katsura Imperial Villa looks "so much" like the Kakurintei tea house in Saga. I'll probably write something up in January and you'll see. Excellent work as always.

Mandy Bartok Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you! I'm looking forward to your upcoming post. I'm always on the hunt for something I haven't yet seen. Saga still has a number of "unknowns" for me and I'll happily add another to the list!

Mandy Bartok Photographer 11 years ago

Thank you, Yui! When I was here last November, the morning air was FRIGID but the leaves were so lovely. And as you can only enter with a pass, it felt so empty in the garden.

Yui Yamaguchi 11 years ago

Beautiful photos, Mandy! When I was in high school, we studies the concept beauty of pathos in Japan at literature class and the text book used the garden of Katsura Rikyu. I decided to visit there one day, but it hasn't happened yet!

4 comments in total

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