Illuminations in Kyoto
Winter illuminations in Kyoto: dates, lighting hours and prices from the official announcements.
As of Oct 29: 21 events, 3 free.
Art exhibition
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2026 at Former Imperial Villa Nijo Castle
Former Imperial Villa Nijo Castle (Nijojo-mae Sta.)
Oct 23 (Fri) – Dec 5 (Sat) 18:00 – 22:00
A night art exhibition marking 400 years since the Kan'ei imperial visit, exploring the aesthetics of Kan'ei-era culture that shaped kimono and everyday design. Inspired by the sensibility of Tokugawa Kazuko, it reinterprets traditional beauty as artworks, with audio guides in Japanese and English. Last entry 9:00 PM; open daily, rain or shine. Students and Kyoto City residents get a 500 yen cashback on site.
Details →Oct 23 (Fri) – Dec 13 (Sun) 17:00 – 22:00
See illuminated autumn gardens at Kodaiji, founded by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Projection mapping also transforms the garden in front of the Hojo Hall. Last admission at 9:30 PM.
Details →Art exhibition
NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS at Higashi Honganji and Shoseien
Higashi Honganji and Shoseien Garden (Kikokutei) (Kyoto Sta.)
Oct 31 (Sat) – Dec 6 (Sun) 18:00 – 22:00
A special autumn night viewing at Higashi Honganji and its detached garden Shoseien, themed on spending a Kyoto night with five scenes. Higashi Honganji: last entry 9:00 PM, closes 9:20 PM; Shoseien closes 10:00 PM. On November 6-8 and 25, only Shoseien is open.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Toji Autumn Illumination and Special Night Viewing of Kondo and Kodo Halls
Toji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji) (Kyoto Sta.)
Oct 31 (Sat) – Dec 13 (Sun) 18:00 – 21:30
The five-story pagoda and around 200 maple trees at World Heritage-listed Toji are illuminated at night. Special evening access is also available to the National Treasure Kondo Hall and Important Cultural Property Kodo Hall, home to the three-dimensional mandala. Last admission at 9:00 PM; open daily throughout the event.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Autumn Night Special Viewing (Shoren-in)
Shoren-in Temple (Higashiyama Sta.)
Nov 6 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) 18:00 – 22:00
Evening illumination of the pond garden, bamboo grove and giant camphor trees, inspired by the light of the temple's principal deity. Last entry 9:30 PM; day and night admissions are separate.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Chisan Momijitsuki: Autumn Leaves Light-up at Chishakuin
Chishakuin Temple (Shichijo Sta.)
Nov 7 (Sat) – Dec 6 (Sun) 17:00 – 21:00
A new autumn light-up at Chishakuin, head temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism. Colored maples are joined by 3,000 bamboo lanterns filling the grounds and a sea of mist clouds, created by the team behind Arashiyama Tsukitoro and Toji Tsukikairo. Last entry 8:40 PM; tickets on sale daily from 5:00 PM on the grounds.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Myokakuji Temple Hoshien Garden Special Opening and Autumn Light-up
Myokakuji Temple (Kuramaguchi Sta.)
Nov 10 (Tue) – Dec 6 (Sun) 10:00 – 15:30
A head temple of the Nichiren school founded in the Muromachi period, once used by Oda Nobunaga as his lodging in Kyoto. The mossy Hoshien garden is open by day, and from November 21 to December 6 it is also illuminated from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, when the Kahoto stupa hall is opened. Closed 3:30-6:00 PM for changeover; last entry 3:00 PM by day and 7:30 PM at night.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Autumn Special Opening: Night Viewing at Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji
Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Temple (Keage Sta.)
Nov 13 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) 17:30 – 20:30
Maples reflected in the pond of the Shiun Garden, with the main hall, gate, bell tower and approach lit up. Live koto and shinobue performances three times each night. Last entry 8:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Maple Garden at the Historic Odoi Earthworks: Autumn Illumination at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Odoi Maple Garden (Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta.)
Nov 13 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) Sunset–8:00 PM (last admission 7:40 PM)
Around 350 maple trees color the historic Odoi earthworks built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Illumination runs from sunset until 8:00 PM, with last admission at 7:40 PM. Admission includes a sweet inspired by the historic Kitano Grand Tea Gathering.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Special Autumn Foliage Viewing 2026 at Tentokuin Temple
Tentokuin Temple (Tofukuji Sta.)
Nov 14 (Sat) – Dec 6 (Sun) 09:00 – 20:30
A special viewing of moss gardens and autumn leaves at a subtemple of Tofukuji. Admission is accepted until 8:00 PM, with illumination beginning around 4:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Kyoto Botanical Gardens Autumn Night Illumination
Kyoto Botanical Gardens (Kitayama Sta.)
Nov 14 (Sat) – Dec 13 (Sun) 18:00 – 21:30
An evening stroll among lit-up autumn leaves and reflections on the water. Last entry 8:30 PM. Hand lanterns ¥1,500 extra.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Unryuin Temple Autumn Special Opening and Light-up
Unryuin Temple (Sennyuji) (Tofukuji Sta.)
Nov 14 (Sat) – Nov 30 (Mon) 09:00 – 17:00
A quiet hidden spot for autumn leaves in Higashiyama, a sub-temple of the imperial family temple Sennyuji. The usually hidden Fudo Myoo triad is unveiled, and garden maples can be viewed from the study halls. On November 20-23 the temple is lit from sunset to 9:00 PM, and the four shoji windows of the Renge-no-ma room frame camellia, a lantern, maples and pine. No day/night changeover; last entry 4:30 PM by day, 8:30 PM at night.
Details →Nov 17 (Tue) – Dec 6 (Sun) 17:30 – 21:30
The illuminated highlights of the head temple of Jodo Buddhism include the Sanmon Gate, Yuzen-en Garden, and Miei-do Hall. In 2026, visitors can also access the corridor on the upper level of Sanmon Gate. Last admission at 9:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Shinnyodo Exclusive Night Viewing
Shinnyodo (Shinsho Gokurakuji) Temple (Demachiyanagi Sta.)
Nov 18 (Wed) – Dec 8 (Tue) 17:30 – 19:30
The first night illumination of the grounds in seven years: the three-storey pagoda, stone approach and maples. Booked through JR Central's EX travel service (membership required). Main hall interior not open. Last entry 7:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Agnes Illumination at Heian Jogakuin University
Heian Jogakuin University, Kyoto Campus (Marutamachi Sta.)
Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri) 16:30 – 21:00
The 22nd annual illumination display created by students and faculty, themed around 'Love.' The lights switch on at 6:05 PM on the opening day. Power supplied by next-generation vehicles is planned for December 10–12.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Daigoji Temple (World Heritage) Autumn Night Viewing
Daigoji Temple (Daigo Sta.)
Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) 18:00 – 20:50
A limited-time evening visit inspired by the maple-viewing party Toyotomi Hideyoshi dreamed of but never held. Walk past the illuminated National Treasure Golden Hall and Five-Story Pagoda and the autumn colors of the Rinsen and Muryoju-en gardens. Day and night visits are separate; last entry 8:10 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Eikando Autumn Illumination and Special Night Viewing
Eikando Temple (Zenrin-ji) (Keage Sta.)
Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) 17:30 – 21:00
Enjoy around 3,000 maple trees glowing with autumn colors around a traditional strolling pond garden. Last admission at 8:30 PM; lights out and gates close at 9:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Autumn Special Night Viewing at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kiyomizu-Gojo Sta.)
Nov 21 (Sat) – Nov 30 (Mon) 17:30 – 21:30
Special evening viewing with illuminated autumn foliage in Kin'un Gorge and the National Treasure Main Hall. Last admission at 9:00 PM; gates close at 9:30 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
40th Anniversary 'Circle of En' — A Courtyard Installation Celebrating Connections at The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike (Kokusaikaikan Sta.)
Nov 25 (Wed) – Dec 25 (Fri) 17:00 – 23:00
A festive Christmas courtyard installation celebrating the hotel's 40th anniversary. A symbolic Christmas tree and illuminations decorate the circular courtyard designed by architect Togo Murano.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Grand Stairway Graphical Illumination Plus: Winter Season at Kyoto Station Building
Kyoto Station Building, Grand Stairway (Kyoto Sta.)
Dec 26 (Sat) – Dec 31 (Thu) 15:00 – 22:00
A winter-only graphical illumination transforms Kyoto Station's grand staircase with images of snow and snowflakes, blending seasonal visuals with the architecture.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Countdown & New Year — Welcome 2027 with Lights of Good Fortune at The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike (Kokusaikaikan Sta.)
Dec 31 (Thu) – Jan 31 (Sun) 17:00 – 23:00
Good-luck decorations carrying visitors' wishes adorn the courtyard's symbolic tree. A New Year's Eve countdown is planned, along with decoration-making experiences over two days through New Year's Day.
Details →
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