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Autumn Special Night Viewing

Name: Autumn Special Night Viewing
Start: 2026-12-13T17:00:00+09:00
End: 2026-12-13T22:00:00+09:00
Location: Kodai-ji

秋の夜間特別拝観

WhereKodai-jiHigashiyama · City Bus 「東山安井」stop · about 7 min walk

TimeFri, Oct 2317:00–22:00

Price¥800

BookingCheck the official page

Runs Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Dec 13 · pick a day

Kodai-ji · HigashiyamaCity Bus 「東山安井」stop · about 7 min walkOpen in Google Maps ↗

Heads-up. Temple grounds are dark at night with slippery stone steps. Last entry 21:30. Allow extra time during illumination period.

Kodai-ji Temple holds its autumn nighttime illumination from October 23 to December 13, 2026. The temple's gardens, bamboo grove, and ponds are lit from 17:00 until 22:00, with last entry at 21:30. Admission is 800 yen for adults, the same price as daytime entry. The illuminated autumn foliage reflected in the still ponds, along with the temple's renowned projection mapping on its rock garden, makes this one of Kyoto's essential autumn-evening experiences.

Before you go

Autumn leaves illuminated around the garden from 17:00 — the grounds look completely different by day and night
2026 dates: October 23–December 13, open 9:00–22:00 (last admission 21:30)

Getting there: City bus to Higashiyama-Yasui, about 7 min on foot east (per Kodaiji official site).
Booking: No reservation needed. Same admission fee day and night (amount not listed on the official page).
Crowds: Busy on peak-foliage weekends. Once you exit, the same ticket cannot be used to re-enter.
Good for: Those who want to savor illuminated autumn leaves, or combine with the Kiyomizu area.

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