Winter in Kyoto is underrated. The crowds that choke Arashiyama in autumn are gone; the bamboo grove is quiet except for the creak of stems in the wind.
I spent a morning at Fushimi Inari before the tour buses. The torii tunnels take on a different mood when you're not shoulder-to-shoulder—cold air, soft light, and the occasional priest heading up for morning rites.
If you go: dress in layers. The temples are open and often unheated. A thermos of tea and a hand warmer will extend your shooting time by hours.