Local Trip Info offered by
Washington Hotel and Hotel Gracery

Enjoy a Leisurely Autumn in Kyoto with Brilliant Reds in the Hidden Spot Area of Kitayama

During this pleasant season, many people will visit Kyoto to appreciate the beautiful autumn leaves. However, the popular areas, especially the Gion and Higashiyama areas are crowded by many tourists and hard to look around while taking your time. This time, we’re going to introduce the Kitayama area with a calm and elegant atmosphere in Kyoto. You can enjoy the beauty of colorful trees at the Kyoto Botanical Garden during the day and experience stunning illumination at night. Enjoy the autumn nights in Kyoto while having a relaxing time in nearby restaurants and cafes.

At Night, Enjoy Illuminated Autumn Leaves and Free Open to the Greenhouse, Kyoto Botanical Garden

京都府立植物園(Kyoto Botanical Garden)
Photo by @atsushi11as

Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園) founded in 1924 as the first public botanical garden in Japan, has undergone numerous renovations and expansions. Currently, the garden covers an area of 240,000 square meters and features 12,000 flowers and trees planted thematically, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal blooms throughout the year. Particularly, ‘Nakaragi-no-Mori,’ a natural forest preserving the local flora, is a must-visit destination during this season to witness the stunning autumn foliage. Cherry blossoms, tulips, irises, and metasequoia trees gradually transform into shades of gold and vermilion in less than a month. From November 10th (Friday) to December 3rd (Sunday) in 2023, the area around Nakaragi-no-Mori will be illuminated, creating a mystical and colorful scene with approximately 200 Japanese maples reflected on the water’s surface. The conservatory, the largest and most impressive in Japan, will be open to the public for free during the nighttime, offering a breathtaking view exclusive to this season

Opening Hours 9:00AM – 5:00PM
AddressShimogamo Hangic-ho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
AccessHotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: Close to Kitayamaeki-mae Bus stop which is a 25-minute ride away from Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus stop by city bus No.4
URLhttps://www.pref.kyoto.jp/plant/

Experience a Hearty Western-style Lunch at the Long-Established Western Restaurant Grill Hasegawa

Grill Hasegawa (GRILL はせがわ) is a well-established Western-style diner that was founded approximately 1960 to 1963. It’s a renowned restaurant in the area, known for its warm and retro atmosphere featuring wooden tables and antique lamps. The menu offers a variety of traditional dishes, and every dish includes rice and Miso soup, making for a satisfying meal. The big deep-fried shrimp and juicy hamburger steak are particularly popular choices from the standard menu. During lunchtime, even on weekdays, there’s often a line, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit when you have plenty of time. Additionally, Grill Hasegawa offers take-out options. How about enjoying a picnic at Kyoto Botanical Garden or along the Kamo River? You could bring a lunchbox from Grill Hasegawa for a delightful outdoor meal in these scenic spots.

Opening Hours11:00AM – 3:00PM / 5:00PM – 8:30PM Closed on Monday, 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of every month
Address68 Koyamashimouchikawara-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
AccessHotel Gracery Kyoto: Close to Karasuma Kitaoji Bus stop which is a 20-minute ride away from Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus stop by city bus No.205
URLhttps://www.instagram.com/grill__hasegawa/

Indulge in Seasonal Sweets at MALEBRANCHE Kitayama Honten with a variety of Limited Attractive Sweets

MALEBRANCHE Kyoto is a famous cake shop in Kyoto. Among their offerings, Langue-de-chat, ‘Chanoka’ stands out as a Kyoto standard souvenir, cherished by both locals and visitors alike. There are several stores mainly in Kyoto, and the main store is located right next to Kitayama Station. This main store has a cafe and you can eat limited cakes that can only be eaten at the main store. Mont Blanc, it’s an especially famous product since its foundation, which has been made with a commitment to “bringing authentic taste to Kyoto,” is a masterpiece that you must try at least once. During the autumn season, the Kitayama main store not only offers its exclusive Mont Blanc but also showcases an array of seasonal Mont Blanc varieties. We recommend arriving early because once they sell out, the shop closes for the day. During spring, you can look forward to a range of limited-time menus that change with the season such as  Napoleon pastries made with fresh strawberries. Kitayama madeleines and dessert cookies that can only be purchased at the main store are also good for souvenirs. How about stopping by to take a break while enjoying the autumn leaves?

Opening HoursShop 9:00AM – 5:30PM / Salon 10:00AM – 5:30PM Please check our official HP about Salon holiday
AddressBotanical garden Kitayama door front, Kitayama, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
AccessHotel Gracery Kyoto: Close to Kitayamaeki-mae Bus stop which is a 25-minute ride away from Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus stop by city bus No.4
URLhttps://www.malebranche.co.jp.e.aby.hp.transer.com/store/58/

Base of this trip