Introduction

Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, offers beautiful scenery in every season, from cherry blossoms in spring to the Gion Festival in summer and snowy winter scenery, but autumn is especially special. The vibrantly colored leaves add an even more mystical touch to the historic temples and shrines. One experience you definitely should try in Kyoto this autumn is savoring yudofu while admiring the autumn leaves. In this article, we'll introduce you to Kyoto's most beautiful autumn foliage spots and the appeal of exquisite yudofu, which will warm your body and soul. Embark on a special journey where traditional Japanese beauty and culinary culture come together.

Fantastic beauty: Kyoto's autumn foliage spots

Kyoto's autumn leaves harmonize with the temple gardens and charming townscape, creating a unique beauty.

Arashiyama

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's most famous autumn foliage spots. The view of the mountains from Togetsukyo Bridge, dyed in fiery reds and yellows, is breathtakingly beautiful. There are many ways to enjoy the autumn leaves, such as strolling through Arashiyama Park, taking a boat ride down the Hozugawa River, or riding the trolley train. The bamboo forest path is also nearby, and the contrast between the autumn leaves and the bamboo forest is a spectacular sight that cannot be seen anywhere else.

Eikando

Eikando Zenrinji Temple is known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, so much so that it is nicknamed "Eikando of Maple Leaves." The sight of the approximately 3,000 maple trees within the temple grounds all changing color at once is truly breathtaking. In particular, the autumn leaves reflected in Hojo Pond create a mystical atmosphere with the contrast between the water surface and the leaves. At night, the temple is lit up, allowing you to enjoy a mysterious world that is different from the daytime.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The autumn foliage at the World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, is also a representative sight of Kyoto. Looking down from the stage of Kiyomizu, the autumn leaves look as if they are floating in a sea of autumn leaves. The combination of the vermilion of the three-story pagoda and main hall with the red and yellow of the autumn leaves gives you a full sense of traditional Japanese beauty.

Tofukuji Temple

The autumn leaves seen from Tsutenkyo Bridge are famous as "Tofukuji Temple's Tsuten Maple." The valleys on either side of the bridge are covered in autumn leaves, almost like a carpet of autumn leaves. Many people visit in autumn to see this spectacular view.

2. The appeal of Kyoto cuisine "Yudofu" that warms both body and soul

Warm tofu is the ultimate luxury for those feeling a little chilled after viewing the autumn leaves. Yudofu is a Kyoto cuisine dish that is simple yet captivating for its depth.

The history and culture of yudofu

Yudofu is said to have originated as shojinryori (vegetarian cuisine) in temples in Kyoto during the Kamakura period. This simple dish, which uses no meat or fish and involves warming tofu in kelp stock and eating it with condiments and sauces, is symbolic of Japanese food culture, which values the flavor of the ingredients themselves, and is also in line with Zen philosophy.

It's simple yet profound

The main ingredient of yudofu is, of course, tofu. Kyoto has been blessed with clean water since ancient times, so delicious tofu is made using high-quality soybeans and water. Warm tofu is enjoyed with a soy sauce-based sauce or ponzu sauce. Condiments such as green onions, ginger, and momiji oroshi (grated daikon radish and chili peppers) can be added, and one of the joys of the dish is finding your favorite flavor.

3. Recommended Autumn Leaves & Yudofu Travel Plan

A day exploring Kyoto's history and cuisine

1. Morning: Explore Arashiyama, walking along the Togetsukyo Bridge and the bamboo forest path.

2. Lunch: Enjoy warm tofu at a tofu specialty restaurant in Arashiyama while admiring the autumn leaves.

Kyo-yudoufu Kisaki Kyo-yudoufu Set Menu https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/65f7d4eb902c3

3. Afternoon: Visit Eikando Temple and enjoy the colorful autumn leaves. If you have time, you can also visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

4. Dinner: Return to Kyoto and enjoy Kyoto cuisine other than yudofu and the flavors of autumn.

4. Tips for gaining a deeper understanding of Kyoto cuisine

The culture of "dashi"

The basis of Kyoto cuisine is dashi, made from kelp and bonito flakes. Yudofu is also heated in kelp dashi, which brings out the umami of the tofu to the fullest. This dashi supports the delicate flavor of Kyoto cuisine, which values the taste of the ingredients. Enjoy the beautiful appearance One of the great attractions of Kyoto cuisine is the beauty of its presentation. The dishes and seasonal flowers and leaves are used to express the feeling of the season throughout the dish. Yudofu is also presented in a simple yet beautiful dish, which is a feast for the eyes.

Access to Kyoto

The most convenient ways to get to Kyoto are by plane or Shinkansen.

It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, and you can get there without changing trains.

If you are coming from Sendai or Hokkaido, you can either fly to Itami Airport in Osaka or take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station.

If you're coming from Fukuoka, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Hakata Station without any transfers. You can sometimes get cheaper flights if you book early, and the Shinkansen has the advantage of being easy to travel to. Please consider your options based on the purpose of your trip.

Location of Kyoto Prefecture

summary

Kyoto in autumn is a special place where you can enjoy the natural beauty of autumn leaves and the traditional Japanese food culture of yudofu at the same time. As introduced in this article, a trip where you can enjoy beautiful scenery while savoring yudofu, which warms the body and soul, is sure to leave you with an unforgettable experience. We encourage you to choose Kyoto as your next travel destination.

Please also check out "10 Things to Do in Kyoto (Rakuto Area)" ▼▼