Autumn night illuminations

Kyoto’s temples open after dark in autumn. Dates, hours and prices below come from each temple’s own page and are checked before they appear here.

  1. Oct 23– Dec 13
    Kodai-ji

    Autumn Special Night Viewing

    Lights on at 17:00; one ticket covers day and night; close to Gion

    Hours
    17:00–22:00
    Admission
    ¥800
  2. Oct 24– Dec 13
    Ninna-ji

    Ninna-ji Temple Autumn Night Viewing

    Autumn leaves under a “sea of clouds” with a 528 Hz sound garden. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only

    Hours
    18:30–21:00 · Last entry 20:30
    Admission
    ¥2,800
    Booking
    No booking needed
  3. Oct 31– Dec 13
    To-ji

    Toji Night Illumination

    Five-storey pagoda and maples lit, plus night viewing of the Kondo and Kodo halls. Walkable from Kyoto Station

    Hours
    18:00–21:30 · Last entry 21:00
    Admission
    ¥1,000
    Booking
    No booking needed
  4. Nov 13– Dec 6
    Kitano Tenmangu

    Autumn Special Viewing & Illumination at Kitano Tenmangu

    Night illumination of the Odoi maple garden, sunset to 20:00

    Hours
    until 20:00 · Starts at sunset; last entry 19:40
    Admission
    ¥1,500
  5. Nov 17– Dec 6
    Chion-in

    Chion-in Autumn Light-up 2026

    Dates announced; hours and price will be added when the official page goes up

    Hours
    See official page
    Admission
    See official page
  6. Nov 20– Dec 6
    Eikando

    Autumn Night Illumination at Eikando

    Famous for autumn maples; the night illumination is ticketed separately and closes at 21:00

    Hours
    17:30–21:00 · Last entry 20:30
    Admission
    ¥1,000
    Booking
    No booking needed
  7. Nov 21– Nov 30
    Kiyomizu-dera

    Special Night Viewing

    Main hall and three-storey pagoda lit, with a blue beam over the city. Only 10 nights

    Hours
    until 21:30 · Last entry 21:00
    Admission
    See official page
    Booking
    No booking needed

Still being checked：These also light up, but the temple has not yet confirmed all details to us, so they are not listed: Shōren-in, Entoku-in, Kifune Shrine, Sagano Romantic Train, Chishaku-in.

We do not show crowd levels — there is no reliable data. Weekends and the middle of the foliage season are the busiest.