Autumn leaves in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera

Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's oldest temples and part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." The National Treasure main hall's "Kiyomizu Stage" juts about 13 meters over the hillside, built in the kakezukuri style without a single nail. Open 6:00-18:00 (until 18:30 in July and August). The temple’s website does not list the admission fee; check at the ticket office.

Autumn night viewing 21–30 Nov, open until 21:30 (last entry 21:00)

Kodai-ji

Kodai-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1606 by Nene, the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in his memory. Nicknamed "the maki-e temple" for its lavish Momoyama-period lacquer decoration, its garden is a nationally designated historic site and scenic spot, famous for the spring and autumn night illuminations. Daytime hours are 9:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00); adults 800 yen, junior and senior high students 400 yen. A 1,200-yen combination ticket covers Kodai-ji and Entokuin.

Autumn night viewing 23 Oct–13 Dec, entry 9:00–21:30, closes 22:00, lit from 17:00

Chion-in

Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) school of Buddhism, in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. The grounds are free to enter, open 6:00 AM–4:00 PM (reception from 9:00 AM). The highlights are the National Treasure Sanmon gate and Mieido hall; in autumn 2026 there is a night illumination (Nov 17–Dec 6, adults ¥800) and a special opening of the Sanmon's upper story (Oct 31–Nov 13).

Autumn illumination 17 Nov–6 Dec, 17:30–21:30 (last entry 21:00)

Shorenin Temple

Shoren-in Monzeki is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. It is one of the five Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect, whose head priests traditionally came from the imperial family. Its detached precinct, Shogunzuka Dainichi-do, has observatories overlooking the whole city of Kyoto. Check the official website for hours and admission.

9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30), admission ¥600 (¥400 junior/senior high, ¥200 primary)

常寂光寺

Jojakko-ji is a Nichiren sect temple at the foot of Mount Ogura in Kyoto, celebrated as a famous autumn foliage destination. It was founded in the Keicho era by monk Nisshin, the 16th abbot of Honkoku-ji.

Admission ¥600

Nison-in Temple

Nison-in is nestled at the base of Mount Ogura celebrated in the Hyakunin Isshu poetry collection and is a renowned autumn foliage site. Founded during the Jowa era (834–848) by Jikaku Daishi Ennin under imperial decree of Emperor Saga, the temple enshrines the two statues of Shakyamuni and Amida.

Admission ¥500 or ¥600 (the temple’s two pages differ)

厭離庵

Enri-an is a temple in Sagano, Kyoto, built on the former site of poet Fujiwara no Teika's Saga mountain villa from the late Heian period. The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu originated from poem sheets decorating the sliding doors of this villa, and Emperor Reigen bestowed the temple's name.

Autumn special opening 1 Nov–7 Dec, 9:00–16:00

宝筐院

Hokyo-in is a Rinzai Zen temple in Sagano, Kyoto, whose garden has been featured many times on television and in magazines and books.

Admission ¥500 (adult)

旧嵯峨御所 大本山 大覚寺

Daikakuji is the head temple of the Shingon Daikakuji sect in Sagano, Kyoto, founded on the site of the detached palace Sagano-in established by Emperor Saga in the early Heian period. Imperial family members served as head priests here, and the temple is the birthplace of Japanese flower arrangement and headquarters of Saga Goryu.

9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30

Ninna-ji

Ninna-ji, founded in 888, is the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. Known as the former Omuro Imperial Villa, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, in Kyoto's Omuro district. Goten (palace) viewing is 500 yen for adults (300 yen for junior-high and younger); the Goten garden is 800 yen for adults. Open 9:00–17:00, March–November.

Mar–Nov 9:00–17:00; last entry 30 minutes before closing

Eikando (Zenrin-ji)

Eikando (formally Zenrin-ji) is the head temple of the Seizan branch of Jodo-shu Buddhism, in Kyoto's Sakyo ward. Founded in 863 and named after its seventh abbot, the priest Yokan, it is famed for its autumn maples — "Eikando of the fall colors." Regular visiting hours are 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00).

9:00–17:00, last entry 16:00

哲学の道 · South end (Nyakuoji Bridge)

真正極楽寺 真如堂

Shinnyo-do (officially Shinsho-gokuraku-ji) is a temple in eastern Kyoto. Its grounds feature the Nehan-no-niwa dry landscape garden borrowing views of the Higashiyama thirty-six peaks alongside the Zui'en-no-niwa garden, and hold an annual special viewing of the sacred Amida Nyorai statue on November 15.

18 Nov–7 Dec: ¥500 to enter the grounds, plus ¥500 for the main hall and shoin

法然院

Honen-in bears the mountain name Zenkizan and the temple name Mambukyoji. White sand mounds symbolizing purifying water flank the path inside the gate, and the temple holds a special opening of its inner halls in autumn.

Inside the halls: special opening 18–24 Nov, 9:30–16:00

哲学の道 · North end (Ginkaku-ji Bridge)

To-ji

Head temple of the Shingon school (Kyoo Gokokuji), founded when the capital moved to Heian-kyo some 1,200 years ago — the only surviving structure of the original Heian capital, inscribed as World Heritage in 1994. In 823, Emperor Saga entrusted this state temple to Kukai (Kobo Daishi), returned from Tang China, making it Japan's first Esoteric Buddhist temple. The Kondo and Kodo halls open 8:00–17:00; the Treasure Hall and Kanchi-in 9:00–17:00.

Autumn illumination with night opening of Kondō and Kōdō, 31 Oct–13 Dec, 18:00–21:30 (last entry 21:00)

Tofuku-ji

Tofuku-ji is the head temple of the Tofukuji school of Rinzai Zen, located at 778 Honmachi 15-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. Founded in 1236 by Regent Kujo Michiie and completed in 1255, it is one of Kyoto's great Zen temple complexes. The paid areas are the Honbo Garden (Hojo) and the Tsutenkyo Bridge–Kaisando hall; the grounds also hold the National Treasure Sanmon gate and many Important Cultural Properties.

Autumn viewing 14 Nov–6 Dec: Tsūten-kyō and Kaisandō adult ¥1,000, child ¥500; Tsūten-kyō 8:30–16:00

Kitano Tenmangu

Kitano Tenmangu enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. It is the head shrine of the roughly 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines across Japan and the birthplace of Tenjin worship, founded in 947. Beyond the National Treasure main hall, the grounds hold a plum garden in spring and the Odoi maple garden in autumn. The grounds are free to enter, open 7:00-17:00; the maple garden and night illuminations are separately ticketed.

Momiji-en (Odoi) 31 Oct–6 Dec, 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:40)

京都御苑

Kyoto Gyoen is located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, open freely to visitors at any time with free admission. For autumn foliage viewing within the grounds, please refer to "Kyoto Gyoen Haha to Ko no Mori".

Open to enter at any time

堀川（遊歩道）

The Horikawa Open Canal Project restored flowing water to the canal between Imadegawa Street and Oike Street while developing public waterside amenities. Covering a project section of approximately 4.4 kilometers, walking paths and benches were created within the riverbed to provide a relaxing waterside space.

詩仙堂丈山寺

Shisendo Jozan-ji in Ichijoji, Kyoto, preserves the mountain villa where Edo-period Chinese-style poet Ishikawa Jozan (1583–1672) spent his later years, now a branch temple of Soto Zen Eihei-ji. In autumn, foliage extends across the entire garden, where the bamboo water device designed by Jozan echoes in the quiet precinct.

Admission ¥700 (adult)

圓光寺

Enko-ji is a temple located in Ichijoji, northern Kyoto. Its Zen hall served as Japan's only specialized training monastery for Buddhist nuns in the post-Meiji era, and the temple holds a special viewing in autumn.

Autumn special viewing 10 Nov–10 Dec: reservation by date and time, open since 20 Oct 9:00

Manshuin Monzeki

Manshu-in Monzeki is a renowned temple in northern Kyoto, founded on Mount Hiei by Dengyo Daishi Saicho during the Enryaku era (782–806). Members of the imperial lineage served as head priests, and the temple is celebrated as an autumn foliage site.

Admission ¥800

Zuishin-in

Zuishin-in is a monzeki (imperial-line) temple of the Shingon school, said to be where the poet Ono no Komachi spent her later years; its grounds hold the Fumizuka mound, the Komachi Fumihari Jizō and the make-up well. Open 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30); adults ¥500.

Main image on view 1–30 Nov, 9:00–16:30, ¥500 (junior high ¥300)

Daigo-ji

Daigoji is the head temple of the Daigo school of Shingon Buddhism, at the foot of Mount Daigo in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward, inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1994. Shimo-Daigo (Sanboin, Kondo, the pagoda area) is open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (until 4:30 PM in winter); Sanboin + Shimo-Daigo ¥1,000, Reihokan Museum ¥600. Note: the Kami-Daigo mountain trail is currently closed due to landslide risk.

9:00–17:00 (16:30 from the day after the first Sunday of December); last entry 30 minutes before closing

三千院

Sanzen-in is a temple located in Ohara, Kyoto, tracing its origin to a hermitage founded on Mount Hiei by Dengyo Daishi Saicho. Its gardens, Yusei-en and Juhoki-en, change colors through the seasons, displaying maple foliage in autumn.

November 8:45–16:45

宝泉院

Hosen-in is a temple in Ohara, Kyoto, known as the "Picture Frame Garden Temple." Hall pillars and horizontal beams frame the garden view like a hanging picture.

Admission ¥1,000 (adult; revised 10 April 2026)

Kurama-dera

Kurama-dera stands on Mount Kurama north of Kyoto and is the head temple of the Kurama Kokyo school. Its principal deity, "Sonten," uniquely unites Bishamonten, Senju Kannon and the guardian Mao-son in one. The main hall opens 9:00-16:15; entering the mountain requires the Aizan conservation fee (500 yen for high school students and up). The cable car runs on a separate donation basis (200 yen per adult ride). Three minutes on foot from Eizan Kurama Station.

Mountain fee ¥500 (high school and up); main hall open 9:00–16:15

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine, at 180 Kurama-Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, is the head shrine of the water deities worshipped at some 2,000 shrines across Japan. The main shrine is open 6:00–20:00 (1 May–30 November), all year round, with free admission. It offers the water oracle slips, whose text appears when floated on water. Parking is very limited; the shrine recommends public transport.

Main Shrine 6:00–20:00 (1 May–30 Nov), free entry