Enkō-ji in the Ichijoji district of northeastern Kyoto is a relatively small Rinzai Zen temple celebrated for what many consider the finest autumn foliage garden in all of Japan. The highlight is the Jūgyū-no-niwa garden where fallen maple leaves settle on a vivid green moss carpet beneath the boughs of mature Japanese maples, creating a painterly tapestry of red, orange, and green. Evening illumination sessions allow visitors to photograph this composition by soft light. The temple also houses a collection of wooden printing blocks used to produce Japan's first printed books.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Autumn Leaves
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Mid to Late November
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Kyoto
- City
- Kyoto
Highlights
- ◆Legendary moss-and-maple leaf carpet garden composition
- ◆Evening illumination sessions for dramatic photography
- ◆Intimate scale ensuring an unhurried, contemplative visit
- ◆Historical printing block collection within the temple
- ◆Located near Shisendō and Manshu-in for a full foliage day