Kyoto in foliage season is beautiful, but just as crowded. The key is not where but when.
Arashiyama at 7 a.m.
The bamboo grove is nearly empty before 8 a.m. The same path you shuffle through with the crowds at noon leaves only the sound of the wind in the early morning. For photos and for walking alike, this is the peak hour Estimate.
Evenings for Gion, and the night views
Avoiding the spots where daytime tourism piles up, you walk the alleys of Gion at dusk. As the shop lanterns come on, Kyoto shows another face.