Higashiyama
Kyoto’s busiest district: Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Kodai-ji and Chion-in all lie at the foot of the Higashiyama hills. Below: what is on now, what each place is and what to know, and how to get there.
Autumn leaves season
Darker = more of the places here are in their usual peak window (Kyoto City Tourism Association). This is a usual-year guide, not this year’s colour.
- 7 Oct–10 DecKiyomizu-zaka tourist car park: private cars restricted, tour buses by reservation (if driving) ↗
- 10/23–12/13Entoku-in night viewing（17:00–21:30, ¥500; closed 11–12 Dec）
- 10/23–12/13Kōdai-ji night viewing（Lit from 17:00, ¥800, same day and night）
- 11/6–12/6Shōren-in autumn night viewing（18:00–22:00, ¥1,500）
- 11/8Kennin-ji Autumn Evening（By reservation only, ¥5,000）
- 11/12–11/13Kodai-ji’s Hojo closed for ceremonies (all day 12 and 13 Nov) ↗
Coming up
Kennin-ji Early Morning Special Visit
A special visit before opening hours, guided by a monk.
Kiyomizu-dera 1000 Market
Temple-run: operated by Kiyomizu-dera monks and volunteers
Kennin-ji Senkōkai Monthly Zazen
Two 20-minute sittings in the hojo, the abbot's quarters normally closed to the public
Yasaka Shrine Okera-mairi (New Year's Eve Fire Rite)
A New Year's Eve rite at Yasaka Shrine, held from about 7:30 p.m.
Yasaka Shrine Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
New Year visiting at Yasaka Shrine over the first three days of the year…
Karuta Hajime Ceremony at Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine's annual New Year karuta ceremony on January 3…
Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival
Yasaka Shrine's Setsubun festival on February 2 and 3…
Running now
Shichi-Go-San at Yasaka Shrine
Shichi-Go-San at Yasaka Shrine: reception from early October to late November…
Kodai-ji Autumn Special Night Viewing
New 2026 projection mapping 「KODAI-JI: Momoyama Kenran」 on the Hashin-tei rock garden
Chion-in Autumn Light-up 2026
The Sanmon gate lit up — and the rare chance to enter its upper corridor
Kiyomizu-dera Special Night Viewing
Illuminated autumn leaves and the Kyoto nightscape from the wooden stage
Go any time
Ryosokuin Zazen Experience
Before you go
- 10/07–12/10
- Kiyomizu-zaka tourist car park: private cars are restricted and tour buses must reserve (Kyoto City’s autumn 2026 measures). Take note if driving. ↗
- 11/12–11/13
- Kodai-ji’s Hojo (main hall) is closed all day for ceremonies; other buildings remain open. ↗
- 12/11–12/12
- Entoku-in is closed to visitors all day on these two days. ↗