Aiko Tanaka shared a list · 3 Dec 2025 Everyone

Kyoto in November, early

Momiji season without the crowds, mostly by getting up before them. Breakfast notes included.

1. Fushimi Inari at dawn

   Before seven the torii are yours. By nine they belong to everyone.

   Aiko did it 14 Nov

2. Arashiyama's bamboo before eight

   Then Tenryū-ji at opening; the garden borrows the mountain.

   Aiko did it 16 Nov

   
3. Persimmons at Nishiki Market

   And whatever the pickle lady insists on.

   Aiko did it 17 Nov

4. The Philosopher's Path in the afternoon

   Maples, a canal, cats. Walk it slowly or not at all.

5. Matcha everything in Uji

   Thirty minutes by train. Byōdō-in is on the ten-yen coin; bring one to compare.

   Aiko did it 20 Nov

   
6. Bow to the deer in Nara

   They bow back. Some of them. Hold on to your map.

   Aiko did it 19 Nov

7. Kiyomizu-dera lit up at night

   The autumn illuminations. Worth the crowd, once.