19 night illumination spots of Autumn leaves in Kyoto 2018 紅葉ライトアップ

Contents

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.

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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.

Toji temple night illumination 2019 in Kyoto; 東寺

Toji has one of the most amazing illumination events in spring and fall. In this article, you can learn the ways to them with introduction of the temple.

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.

Tenjuan garden: Autumn leaves and night illumination in Kyoto. 天授庵の紅葉

The precise info on Tenjuan garden in fall; Autumn leaves, night illumination, zen garden, the best time to visit, and more!

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.

Eikando 永観堂, Zenrinji in Kyoto: The best autumn leaves and night illumination

Eikando/Zenrinji is the best autumn leaves and night illumination spot in Kyoto. The way to enjoy them, open hours, entrance fee, access are also available!

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.

永観堂紅葉・ライトアップ2018/Autumn leaves in Eikando

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.

Konkai komyoji temple 金戒光明寺: the overlooked autumn leaves in Kyoto

Konkai Komyoji temple is not popular site to visit but we can enjoy one of the most beautiful autumn leaves and illumination in Kyoto.

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.

北野天満宮

北野天満宮（きたのてんまんぐう）は梅と紅葉で有名な京都の神社です。菅原道真公をお祀りした神社の宗祀であり、「天神さん」と呼ばれ、親しまれています。アクセス方法・地図、お守りやお札等も掲載しております。

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.

KIYOMIZU-DERA temple tour 清水寺英語: its renovation, stage, and Jisyu shrine in Kyoto!

A goat Kyotoite shows you Kiyomizu temple; Its renovation of roof, stage, illumination, Jisyu shrine, access, open hours, and other things to see.

KIYOMIZU-DERA in Autumn Leaves and night illumination 清水寺の紅葉2018

Kiyomizu-dera temple has the most amazing autumn leaves and night illumination in Kyoto. You can learn the best way to enjoy them in this article with a help of a goat Kyotoite!

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.

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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.

Yasaka shrine in Kyoto; the best guide on the planet!八坂神社英語ガイド

The best guide of Yasaka shrine in kyoto; Annual events, Deities enshrined, Gion matsuri, and so on.

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.

興臨院の特別公開2019と紅葉などのみどころ【御朱印あり】

大徳寺塔頭寺院、紅葉の穴場、興臨院の枯山水庭園、御朱印、茶室涵虚亭などのみどころ、特別公開日程などを詳らかにします。

いちきしまひめ

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.