Festival & seasonal event in Kyoto
Autumn Special Opening 2026 at Hogonin Temple
Explore the Shishiku Garden, which incorporates the Arashiyama mountains into its scenery, and wall paintings by artist Noriko Tamura. Last admission to the garden is 4:45 PM; the main hall is open until 4:30 PM.
- Dates
- Oct 3 (Sat) – Dec 6 (Sun)
- Hours
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Venue
- Hogonin Temple
- Nearest station
- Arashiyama
- Admission
- Adults ¥700; elementary and junior high school students ¥300; separate donation required for special admission to the main hall
About this event
Hogonin's Shishiku Garden incorporates the mountains of Arashiyama into its landscape. This strolling garden is attributed to the Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo, who traveled to China twice. Admire not only the autumn leaves but also the moss, massive rocks and mountains beyond. Inside the main hall, painted panels titled Fuga Sansan Sansan Jizai by artist Noriko Tamura are specially displayed. The visit brings together a historic Japanese garden and contemporary painting. Shishiku refers to the Buddha preaching his teachings.
Highlights
- Shishiku Garden, a strolling landscape garden with Arashiyama as its backdrop
- A garden traditionally attributed to Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo
- Moss, giant rocks and autumn foliage in one composition
- Painted panels by Noriko Tamura
- A discounted combined ticket for Hogonin and Kogenji
- Good for
- For lovers of Japanese gardens, Zen culture, autumn foliage and Japanese art.
Good to know before you go
- Advance reservations are not required.
- The main hall requires a separate admission fee and has different viewing hours.
- Daytime and evening admissions are separate. Daytime tickets do not allow evening entry or re-entry.
- The garden paths are unpaved. Tripods, monopods and pets are not permitted.
Pochikichi's story cornerWhy does Hogonin's garden have a name associated with lions?
Hogonin was founded in 1461 with Zen monk Shochu Eiko as its founding abbot. Originally located in what is now Kamigyo Ward, it is associated with Hosokawa Yoriyuki, a senior official of the Muromachi shogunate. The temple survived upheavals including the Onin War and was rebuilt with the support of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
After several relocations, the temple was re-established at its present location in 2002. Its Shishiku Garden is a strolling landscape garden that incorporates Arashiyama into its scenery. Shishiku is a Buddhist expression comparing the Buddha's preaching to a lion's roar.
The garden is traditionally attributed to the Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo. It uses borrowed scenery, a Japanese garden technique that makes surrounding mountains part of the composition. Moss, rocks, trees and the distant landscape work together.
Hogonin invites visitors to experience the garden and the surrounding natural world as one. That is why you should look beyond the autumn leaves to the Arashiyama mountains framing the garden.
Sources: Kyoto City Official Tourism Guide: Hogonin (Japanese), Hogonin Autumn Special Opening (Japanese)
FAQ
- What is Autumn Special Opening 2026 at Hogonin Temple?
- Hogonin's Shishiku Garden incorporates the mountains of Arashiyama into its landscape. This strolling garden is attributed to the Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo, who traveled to China twice. Admire not only the autumn leaves but also the moss, massive rocks and mountains beyond. Inside the main hall, painted panels titled Fuga Sansan Sansan Jizai by artist Noriko Tamura are specially displayed. The visit brings together a historic Japanese garden and contemporary painting. Shishiku refers to the Buddha preaching his teachings.
- When is Autumn Special Opening 2026 at Hogonin Temple?
- From Oct 3 (Sat) to Dec 6 (Sun), 2026.
- What are the opening hours?
- 09:00 – 17:00
- How much does it cost?
- Adults ¥700; elementary and junior high school students ¥300; separate donation required for special admission to the main hall
- Where is it and what is the nearest station?
- Hogonin Temple. The nearest station is Arashiyama.
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