Among Japan’s beautiful autumn foliage, Kyoto is especially popular. Avoid the crowds during the day and opt for nighttime sightseeing instead. Here are recommended spots where you can enjoy special viewings and illuminations until late into the night.
Index
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- Konkai-Komyoji Temple “Autumn Special Viewing: Nighttime Visits”
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine “Historic Site Odoi Maple Garden Open and Illuminated”
- Ninnaji Temple “Sea of Clouds Illumination [Nighttime Viewing]”
- Hogonin “Light-Up & Special Nighttime Viewing”
- NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS Higashi Honganji and Shōsei-en Garden
Konkai-Komyoji Temple "Autumn Special Viewing: Nighttime Visits"
Event Date and Time：
November 13, 2026 (Fri) – December 6, 2026 (Sun)
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Last admission at 8:00 PM)
Konkai-Komyoji Temple stands on a hill overlooking Kyoto City. The inverted autumn leaves reflected on the water surface of the illuminated “Shiun no niwa(Gareden)”, renowned for its beautiful autumn foliage, are a must-see.
Every night, hold three concerts featuring traditional Japanese instruments. The sounds of traditional Japanese music blend beautifully with the temple’s atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy a truly special experience.
Performance times: 5:45 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:30 PM (20 minutes each)
INFORMATION
Address
121, Kurodani-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Access
Take the Kyoto city bus from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto-kawaramachi Station
and alight at Okazaki-michi. It's a 10-minute walk from there.
Website
Admission Fees
Miedo Hall, Daihojo Hall, Shiun Garden Adults: 1,000yen
Elementary School Students: 500yen
Kitano-tenmangu Shrine "Historic Site Odoi Maple Garden Open and Illuminated"
Event Date and Time：
November 13, 2026 (Fri) – December 6, 2026 (Sun)
Sunset – 8:00 PM (Last admission at 7:40 PM)
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine features not only autumn foliage but also bamboo groves, making it a popular photo spot where you can see both at once. The surface of the Kamiyagawa River, flowing north-south through Momiji Garden, turns red color, and the illumination creates a fantastical atmosphere.
INFORMATION
Address
Bakuro-cho Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access
Take the Kyoto city bus from Hankyu Kyoto Line Omiya Station
and alight at Kitano Tenmangu-mae. It's a short walk away.
Admission Fees
Middle school students and above: 1,500yen (includes tea and sweets)
Elementary school students: 700yen (includes tea and sweets)
Preschoolers: Free
Ninna-ji Temple "Sea of Clouds Illumination [Nighttime Viewing]"
Event Date and Time：
October 24, 2026 (Sat) – December 13, 2026 (Sun)
Held on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Reception: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
*Closed: November 8 (Sun) and 28 (Sat)
*May be canceled at short notice due to adjustments for memorial services or other events.
Ninna-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site, was built in 888. The autumn leaves seen here and there in the vast precincts are magnificent.
The Autumn Leaves Cloud Sea Illumination highlights the vibrant foliage adorning structures like the five-story pagoda. Artificial mist is generated, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
INFORMATION
Address
33, Omuro-dairi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Access
From Hankyu Kyoto Line Omiya Station,
transfer over to the Randen and go to Omuro Ninnaji Station.
It's a 5-minute walk from there.
Admission Fees
2,800yen
Free for high school students and younger
Hogonin "Light-Up & Special Nighttime Viewing"
Event Date and Time：
November 13, 2026 (Fri) – December 6, 2026 (Sun)
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM ※ Last admission at 8:00 PM
Hogonin is one of the sub-temples of Tenryū-ji, “Shishiku no niwa(Garden)”—open to the public during special viewings—is a strolling landscape garden that borrows the scenery of Arashiyama. The green moss is also beautiful, and the contrast between the autumn leaves and moss is magnificent.
INFORMATION
Address
68, Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Access
15-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station
Admission Fees
1,000yen
NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS Higashi Honganji and Shōsei-en Garden
Event Date and Time：
October 31, 2026 (Sat) – December 6, 2026 (Sun)
*From November 6–8 and on November 25, only Shōsei-en Garden will be open to the public.
18:00–22:00
Higashi Honganji: Last admission at 21:00; viewing ends at 21:20
Shōsei-en Garden: Viewing ends at 22:00
During the special fall evening viewing event held at Higashi Hongan-ji and its detached precinct, “Shōsei-en Garden”, invite you to experience a new way to spend an evening in Kyoto by strolling through the garden on a fall night while enjoying the scenery, sake, and tea.
INFORMATION
Address
Karasuma-dori, heading north from Shichijo, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City
Access
About a 7-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station
Get off at Gojo Subway Station, then walk about 5 minutes
Admission Fees
[Middle School Students and Above] Mon–Thu: 2,100yen
[Middle School Students and Above] Fri, Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 2,300yen
[Elementary School Students] Mon–Thu: 1,500yen
[Elementary School Students] Fri, Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 1,700yen
Kyoto is packed with so many autumn foliage spots you can’t possibly see them all in one go, but make the most of the evening hours and enjoy exploring the foliage at your own pace.
