Kyoto’s autumn foliage season brings with it a fresh highlight—Yusai-tei, a rising star among fall viewing spots!
While iconic places like Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryu-ji Temple are still the go-to for most visitors to Arashiyama, a hidden gem gaining quiet popularity in recent years is Yusai-tei (pronounced yuu-sai-tei)「祐斎亭（ゆうさいてい）」.
Created by dyeing artist Yusai Okuda, this artistic space offers a serene blend of nature’s vibrant autumn colors and refined architecture.
In this article, I’ll be sharing my personal experience visiting Yusai-tei during the fall season—along with practical tips on how to get there, how to reserve your visit, and what to expect on the day!
Where Is Yusai-tei? Access Guide
Yusai-tei is located about a 19-minute walk from Arashiyama Station.
Cross the famous Togetsukyo Bridge and walk upstream with the Katsura River on your left—you’ll find it tucked away in a quiet spot.
Along the way, you’ll pass popular spots like the % Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama coffee stand and the Hozugawa River Boat Ride’s endpoint, making the stroll feel like a mini adventure!
What Is Yusai-tei? History & Charm
Originally built around 800 years ago, this historical house was once a beloved inn called “Chidori”, favored by geisha and maiko.
Later, renowned dyeing artist Yusai Okuda took over the property and transformed it into a dyeing art gallery.
Since 2020, it has been open to the public by advance reservation, quietly gaining attention as a must-visit cultural spot.
The combination of vibrant autumn foliage and artistic dyed works creates a truly magical atmosphere—like walking through a living art piece.
I visited on Thursday, November 24, 2022, and the autumn colors were absolutely breathtaking 🍁
According to the staff, the foliage this year had turned an unbelievably vivid shade of red—a sight you really have to see for yourself 👀✨✨
📝 How to Book Yusai-tei — Step-by-Step Guide
To visit Yusai-tei, advance reservation is highly recommended, especially during the busy autumn foliage season.
You can easily book your visit through their official website. Time slots are limited, and those with reservations will be given priority on the day.
I reserved the 10:30 AM time slot. I arrived right on time, but the guests from the 10:00 AM slot were still being guided inside, so I had to wait briefly at the reception.
The wait time was around 10 minutes. Even though it was a weekday, the venue was quite lively due to the peak autumn season. Most visitors were Japanese, but I also spotted a few Chinese-speaking guests and very few Western tourists.
Admission is ¥2,000 (cash only), paid directly at the entrance on the day of your visit.
Before entering, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes. Clean plastic bags are provided to carry your shoes with you inside the building, ensuring everything stays tidy.
🍁 Must-See Photo Spots for Autumn Foliage at Yusai-tei
One of the most iconic features of Yusai-tei is the symmetrical round window, a concept designed by Yusai Okuda over 20 years ago.
Since it was opened to the public, this mesmerizing view has quickly become a sensation on social media.✨
Around the round window, tables are thoughtfully arranged to enhance the reflection, allowing you to enjoy its symmetry from various angles.
For the best results, place your camera directly on the table—you’ll capture a perfectly mirrored seasonal scene. Each season paints the window with a different beauty, but the autumn colors are especially breathtaking.🍂
Inside the house, you’ll find three photogenic indoor spots, each designed to highlight both the artwork and the surrounding nature.
In addition, there are two more outdoor areas where you can photograph the brilliant fall foliage reflected on the water, or from the terrace for a picture-perfect collaboration of architecture and nature.📷🍁
📸 Photography at Yusai-tei
Photography is freely allowed inside Yusai-tei.
Visitors are guided to move in one direction from right to left, taking turns to photograph each scenic spot.
The terrace area is particularly charming—you can enjoy taking photos of the river boats passing by, perfectly framed with the autumn foliage. It’s also a lovely place to sit down, relax, and soak in the seasonal beauty.
Although some websites mention that tea service is available for a fee, I was able to enjoy it for free during my visit.
Even gimbal shooting is permitted, which is great for capturing smooth videos.
The venue was fairly crowded when I visited, and I didn’t see anyone using a tripod—most people took quick turns for photos and moved along.
Including the outdoor shots, I spent about 30 minutes in total photographing the space.
These are the two lenses I brought with me for photographing Yusai-tei this time.
Yusai-tei is more than just stunning autumn colors — it’s a beautiful fusion of history and textile art!
The walk from the station is actually really nice, and totally part of the experience.
It’s one of Arashiyama’s newest fall hotspots — definitely worth a visit! 🍁✨
祐斎亭 Yusai-tei Autumn Vlog on YouTube
I’ve uploaded a video of my visit on YouTube — feel free to check it out before you go! ♥
Final Thoughts
Yusai-tei has been gaining attention recently in many places, and I truly felt it’s worth a visit. Since there aren’t too many foreign tourists yet, now is the perfect time to go. The staff were also very friendly and provided a warm, welcoming experience.
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