Overview
In this article, I’ll show you top 19 sites to enjoy autumn leaves illumination in Kyoto; Toji temple, Tenjuan temple, Eikando temple, Konkaikomyoji temple, Kiyano tenmangu shrine, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Hogonin temple, Yasaka shrine, Korinin temple, Shogun-zuka Seiryuden, Rurikoin temple, Syorenin temple, Kodaiji temple, Entokuin temple, Daikakuji temple, Mansyuin temple, Chionin temple, Syorinji temple, and Byodoin temple.
You can learn what to see in each site, opening hours, entrance fee, and the ways to get there.
Attention!
The information on opening hours, entrance fee, and so on is subject to be changed. Pls check official website of each shrine and temple to make sure of them.
#1 Toji temple 東寺
Overview
Toji temple is one of two Buddhist temples officially built in Heiankyo city. In the 9th century, it was given to Kokai, the founder of Shingon school Buddhism.
The night illumination of Toji temple
The most amazing thing is Mizukagami. Mizukagami is an art to admire reflection on water. There is a pond named Hyotanike in Toji temple. In autumn, its surface is so calm that we can enjoy extraordinary Mizukagami. We can find Mizukagami in many places but that of Toji is the best.
Enjoy the bright red leaves against the pagoda. It is constructed as a donation in the Edo period (1603– 1868) by Tokugawa Iyemitsu, the 3rd Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: From 27th November to 9th December
Opening hours: 18:30～21:30
Entrance fee 1000 yen
About Toji temple
Name Kyooh Gokokuji 教王護国寺
De facto name Toji 東寺
Adress 1 Kujo cho, Mimami ward, Kyoto city 〒601-8473
Phone No. 075-691-3325
Fax No. 075-662-0250
Website Toji official
Time required 1h~
How to get to Toji temple?
About 15 minutes walk from JR Kyoto station: Red train annotation
Kyoto City bus
No. 205 Toji michi bus stop: Blue bus annotations.
No. 207 Toji Higashi mon mae bus stop: Red bus annotations.
#2 Tenjuan temple 天授庵
Overview
Tenjuan enshrines the founder of Nanzenji temple. It has two gardens; Zen garden and stroll garden. We can visit the main hall though we cannot enter it in daytime.
The night illumination of Tenjuan temple
The Zen garden 本堂前庭 （枯山水庭園）
The autumn leaves in Tenjuan are illuminated with warmth. We cannot expect such warmth any other place in Kyoto.
The stroll garden 書院南庭園（池泉式回遊庭園）
At night, we admire the stroll garden from the main hall. We catch a glimpse of bamboo trees behind the maple trees. We cannot stroll around the garden though we can in daytime.
Dates and opening hours
They are not announced officially yet.
Dates: From 15th November to 30th November
Opening hours: 17:00～21:00
Entrance fee 500 yen
About Tenju-an
Official name: Zuiho-zan Tenju-an 瑞龍山天授庵
Address: Nanzenji Fukujicho, Sakyo ward, Kyoto city, 〒606-8435
Phone no. 075-771-0744
Official Website : Not available.
Open hours : 8:40~17:00
Entrance admission fee :Adult 400yen
Time requried 1 hour~
How to get to Tenju-an temple?
About 10 minutes walk from Kyoto City subway Keage station.
#3 Eikando a.k.a. Zenrinji temple 永観堂（禅林寺）
Overview
Eikando temple is the most famous and popular atumn leaves spot in Kyoto. It has about 3,000 maple trees in its area.
The night illumination of Eikando
At night visit, people wait in line in front of the entrance. It would be better to be there before 5:30.
Eikando also has beautiful Mizukagami.
Enjoy the video. Eikando is beyond description.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: From 3rd November to 2nd December
Opening hours: 17:30～20:30
Entrance fee 600 yen
About Eikando temple
Name: Syujuu Raigozan Muryojyuin Zenrinji 聖衆来迎山無量寿院禅林寺
De facto name: Eikando temple
Adress Eikando cho 84, Sakyo ward, Kyoto city, 〒606-8445
Phone No. 075-761-0007
FAXNo. 075-771-4243
Website Eikando official
Time required 1hour～
How to get to Eikando temple?
From JR Kyoto station
At subway Kyoto station, take Karasuma line to Karasuma Oike station. At Karasuma Oike station, change train to subway Tozai line to Keage station. It takes about 15 minutes from Keage station to Eikando.
Kyoto city bus
NO.5 Nanzenji Eikando michi bus stop.
No.32、93、100、102、203、204 Higashi temno cho bus stop.
Attention In the autumn leaves season, buses, mostly No.5、100、102 are often crowded. It would be better to go to Eikando by train. If you wanted more information, check the link below.
#4 Konkai Komyoji temple 金戒光明寺
Overview
Konkai Komyoji is one of the most overlooked autumn leaves spots in Kyoto. Only so-called Kyoto-enthusiasts pay visit there. It has so stunning night illumination in fall.
The night illumination of Konkai Komyoji temple
Konkai Komyoji stands on a hill. We have a good view of Kyoto city. At twilight in fall, see the sun setting.
The Sanmon gate is illuminated. There are the maple trees in bright red in front of it.
The best Sanmon illuminated.
Konkai Komyoji has a pond and of course Mizukagami. It is as amazing as that of Toji.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: From 9th November to 2nd December
Opening hours: 18：00～21：00
Entrance fee 800 yen
About Konkai Komyoji
Official name: Shiun-zan Konkai Komyoji 紫雲山金戒光明寺
De facto name: Kurodani-san 黒谷さん
Address: 121 Kurodani cho , Sakyo ward, Kyoto city, 〒606-8331
Phone no. 075-771-2201
Fax no. 075-771-0836
Official Website : Konkai Komyoji official(Japanese language only)
Time requried 1 hour~
How to get to Konkai Komyoji temple?
Kyoto city bus
No.2、93、203、204 Okazeki Jinjya mae bus stop
#5 Kiano tenmangu shrine 北野天満宮
Overview
Kitano tenmangu enshrines Sugawarano Michizane, the most learned person in Japanese history and popular among students. It has one of the most beautiful autumn leaves. It is one of the most underrated places and is always not crowded.
The night illumination of Kitano tenmangu shrine
Kitano tenmangu started night illumination a couple of years ago. Maple leaves are in extraordinary red and vermilion.
Dates and opening hours
They are not announced officially yet. Check the official website. Night illumination takes place when maple trees are in bloom.
About Kitano Tenmangu shrine
Name: Kitano Tenmangu 北野天満宮
Adress Bakurocho, Kamigyo ward, Kyoto city
Phone No. 075-461-0005
FAX No. 075-461-6556
Website Kitano Tenmangu official
Entrance fee: Free
Time required 1hour～
How to get to Kitano Tenmangu shrine?
Kyoto City Bus
No.50、101、102、203 Kitano tenmangu mae bus stop.
Randen (Keifuku rail way) Kitano Hakubaico station.
#6 Kiyomizu-dera temple 清水寺
Overview
The most popular destination for tourists. The roof of the main hall is now under renovation and covered in a cage. It will end in 2020.
This is the Kiyomizu-dera in this spring. In this fall, it would looks like this.
The night illumination of Kiyomizu-dera temple
The main hall before the renovation
So amazing, baah!
The main hall under renovation
The cage covers the main hall like this.
Look up the stage. A few people try to see it from the foot of it.
Kiyomizu-dera temple is illuminated in bright red. Enjoy the pagoda with maple leaves.
From the west gate (the right gate in the 2nd photo), have a good view.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: From 17th November to 2nd December
Opening hours: 17:30 〜 21:00
Entrance fee 400 yen
About Kiyomizu-dera temple
Official name: Otowazan Kiyomizu-dera 音羽山清水寺
Address: Kiyomizu cho 1-294, Higashiyama ward, Kyoto city, Kyoto pref.
Phone no. 075-551-1234
FAX no. 075-551-1287
Website; Kiyomizu-dera official HP
Open hours: Depends on seasons. See Official website.
Time required: 1 hour~
How to get to Kiyomizu-dera temple?
Fall is high season. Many people migrated to Kyoto to admire autumn leaves around the world. Usually, we head for Kiyomizu michi or Gojozaka bus stops to get to Kiyomizu-dera.
In high season, we head for Shijo Kawaramachi or Gion bus stops instead. We also take train to get to Kiyomizu-dera temple. Keihan Gion shijo station, Kiyomizu Gojo station, and Hankyu Kawaramachi station.
Kiyomizu michi and Gojozaka bus stops are not available! Crowded!
#7 Hogoin temple 宝厳院
Overview
Hogonin temple is a sub-temple of Tenryuji temple. In Meiji period, a company bought it and Tenryuji temple bought it recently. It is well preserved and has a beautiful garden. It is not open to public usually.
The night illumination of Hogonin
The maple trees in garden bloom in many colors. Especially, red is my favorite. It is so warm like the leaves of Tenjuan temple.
Dates and opening hours of night illumination
Dates: From 9th November to 2nd December
Opening hours: 17：30～20：30
Entrance fee 500 yen
How to get to Hogonin temple?
From JR Saga Arashiyama station and Hankyu Arashiyama station: About 10 minutes.
From Randen Arashiyama station: About 5 minutes.
#8 Yasaka shrine 八坂神社
The night illumination of Yasaka shrine
Yasaka shrine opens 24 hours a day. At night, lampposts are lit. It is located in famous Gion district.
In front of the main hall, there is building named Buden(舞殿). It has many paper lanterns hanging on the roof.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: Everyday
Opening hours: 24hrs
Entrance fee: free
About Yaska shrine
Name: Yasaka jinjya 八坂神社
Address: Gion Kitagawa 625, Higashiyama ward, Kyoto city, 606-0073
Phone no. 075-561-6155
FAX no. 075-531-1126
Website Yasaka shrine offcial site
Open hours: 24h
(Syamusyo opens around 9:00〜16:00)
Entance fee: free
English brochure: not available
How to get to Yasaka shrine?
The nearest bus stop is Gion bus stop but we don’t get off at the bus stop in this season. We use the following railway stations and bus stop.
From Keihan Shijo Kawaramachi and Hankyu Kawaramachi station, and Shijo Kawaramachi station: About 10 minutes walk.
#9 Korinin temple 興臨院
Overview
Korinin is a sub-temple of Daitokuji temple. It is not open to public usually. Fortunately, it is open to us in fall.It is cozy, quiet, and the most underrated place to admire autumn leaves in Kyoto. I cannot tell you whether night illumination is held or not because the temple doesn’t officially made announcement yet.
The best place in Kyoto～
The night illumination of Korinin temple
Korin in has a Zen garden. We seldom see Zen garden illuminated. Zen garden is filled with white pebbles to reflect the sun light to make rooms facing it brightened. At Korinin, the Zen garden is dimly illuminated and brighten as though it was covered with snow.
In the back yard is also magnificent. There are trees in yellow, vermilion, and purple. They seem as if they grew into bloom in front of us.
Dates and opening hours
Dates: Not yet announced
Opening hours: Not yet announced
Entrance fee: Not yet announced (600 yen in the last year.)
About Korin-in
Official name: Kohrin-in 興臨院
Address: 80 Murasakino Daitokuji cho, Kita ward, Kyoto city 603-8231
Phone no. 075-491-7636
Official Website : Not available. You can have info. on Kohrinin at Kyoto shyunju website.
Open schedule in spring : 2018 March 17? June 10 (Except March 20 and 21)
Open hours : 10:00~ 4:30
Entrance admission fee :Adult 600yen, High school student and Junior high school student 400yen, Primary school children 300yen
Time requried 1 hour~
How to get to Korinin temple?
From Daitokuji mae bus stop, 5 minutes walk.
#10 Seiryu-den and Shogun-zuka hill 将軍塚青龍殿
Overview
Seiryu-den and Shogun-zuka hill are located at the top of a mountain. It is cold place and provides us with extraordinary clear colors.
The night illumination of Seiryu-den and Shogun-zuka hill
Near Shogun-zuka hill, there is a stage and we can have a good view of Kyoto city illuminated. Enjoy the setting sun there.
There is a small Zen garden. It is illuminated as dimly as that of Korin-in temple.
The glass tea house ガラスの茶室
There used be a glass tea house in Seiryuden. It was so popular that I show you it.
Dates and opening hours of night illumination
Dates: From 26th October to 2nd December
Opening hours: 17：00～2１：30 (You can be there before 17:00 and stay there by 21:00)
Entrance fee 500 yen
How to get to Seiryu-den and Shogun-zuka?
Bus is not available an night. Take taxi. It takes about 5 minutes from Keage station.
