Glorious Autumn

Yeah, this is definately one of the best time to see Kyoto. The other season is definately spring, with the sakuras blooming everywhere, on the streets, along the river, on the temple grounds, beside the lake etc. While the town may be a bit drab during autumn, the surrounding areas are alive with colour....red, yellow, green....it is hard not to be taken in by the beauty of it. This particular tree was absolutely striking against the temple gate on Nanzenji grounds.
.
While the more famous temples and shrines are packed with tourists who flocked to capture the moment in busloads, the lesser known temples also has it's own charms. In fact, for me personally, I liked them better because I can actually SEE the trees rather than trying to fight my way through the crowd only to see more bloody heads blocking my view!
.
While red was obviously the colour of the season, yellow has it's own glory too, as seen here in this picture taken at Kamigamo Jinja. When we were there, most of the maple trees have yet to change colour, so this particular tree was the only one in full colour and the sun was just shining on it, kind of like a spotlight from God.

I thought this picture really did capture the heart of autumn....the beauty is there but for a while, before it gives way to winter....the falling leaf signals the start of the beginning of an end.