Arashiyama Tsuki Toro is the long lost illumination of Arashiyama Bamboo forest took place in October, 2025. The last time we saw Arashiyama Bamboo forest illuminated was four years ago.

The goal of the illumination is “the appeal of Arashiyama bamboo forest” and “the resolution of the over-tourism” as the press release says (in Japanese only).

たけちよ

For example, in order to achieve them, the forest will be preserved with the profit.

Arashiyama Tusuki Toro was named after Arashiyama Hana Toro ended in the winter of 2021. The official English title is “Arashiyama Bamboo Path” but “Arahsiyama Tsuki Toro” sounds like “Arashiyama (Bamboo forest in) Moonlit Lanterns” in Japanese.

Not the illumination of Arahsiyama Hanatoro, only an enclosed area in the bamboo forest is illuminated. The photo is a flyer. Light-up is a Japanese word that means night illumination. The blue lines are illuminated with lanterns and the bamboo trees illuminated are available along the red line. We enter the green “paid-area” with a charge (1,500 JPY).

たけちよ

The ticket booth is located on the other side of the Torii gate of Nonomiya shrine. Cash and credit cards available.

七里ヶ浜親方

The “paid-area.”

The “paid-area”

In the enclose place in the bamboo forest, there are many art works.

Across the rail roads and you’ll find the entrance.

Find the lantern and show your ticket to the stuff.

In front of the “box,” the stuff takes photos of you. Wait in line.

There are no staffs around this.

Look up in the sky.

The bamboo forest illuminated

In this event, this iconic place is not illuminated.

We can enjoy the ones illuminated near Nonomiya shrine instead.

The beacon.

Arashiyama Hana Toro and Higashiyama Hana Toro

Arashiyama Hana Toro and Higashiyama Hana Toro used to be the popular events in winter and spring.Both of them ended couples of years ago. Enjoy them in the videos and posts.

Arashiyama Hanatoro 2020 in Kyoto: The night illumination is alive though COVID-19

Arashiyama Hanatoro is held in Arashiyama district in mid-November. We can enjoy lots of night illumination and other events. This article shows you the best way to enjoy them.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.09.26

Higashiyama Hanatoro doesn't take place in 2026: ENDS in 2022 東山花灯路英語で解説

Higashiyama Hanatoro doesn't take place in 2026. It ended in 2022. Enjoy the last one we had in the absolute guide of Higashiyama Hanatoro held in Kyoto every spring.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.03.04

How to get to Arashiyama Tsuki Toro

I’ll show you the easiest way (the green line in the map).

Go to Saga Arashiyama sta. After the ticket gate, turn left and climb down the stairs and turn right.

You’ll find this after a couple of minutes walk.

You’ll find the restaurant and turn left.

Find SNOOPY CHCOLAT shop and turn right.

Go straight ahead to Nonomiya shrine. The ticket booth in located on the other side of the road.

You can reach the forest by way of Randen Arashiyama sta.(the blue line) and Hankyu Arashiyama sta.(the purple line)

THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE

• Page 1    Introduction, Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji
• Page 2　Eikando, Tenjuan, Nanzenji, Eikando night illumination, Kiyojmizudera Night illumination.

The following is the contents of this article

Introduction

In this post, I’ll show you an itinerary to enjoy the autumn leaves in iconic places: Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji, Eikando, Nanzenji, Tenjuan, and the night illumination of Eikando and Kiyomizudera.

ICONIC PLACES

たけちよ

We visit famous places and this itinerary would be behind schedule. I can’t guarantee you can visit all the places.

Kyoto sta. bus stop @ 05:31 京都駅発　5時31分

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This itinerary begins at Kyoto sta. bus stop. In case you don’t start at Kyoto sta., be Niohmon gate of Kiyomizudera around 06:00.

At Kyoto sta. D2 bus stop (the red circles), take no. 206 for Gion via Kiyomizu-dera temple. 

シカさん

No. 206 is a loop line. There are 206s depart at A3 for the opposite direction. Don’t take them. TAKE 206 AT D2 BUS STOP.

七里ヶ浜親方

Be on time. We visit Kiyomizudera before it gets crowded with tourists.

Kiyomizu michi bus stop @ 05:43 清水道バス停　5時43分着

The nearest bus stop is Kiyomizu Michi bus stop. It takes about 20 minutes to Kiyomizu-dera.

たけちよ

Check this out.

Kyoto station to Kiyomizudera by bus: To avoid busy route

Kiyomizudera temple is the most popular destination for tourist in Kyoto. From Kyoto station, the route 206 bus is always crowded. In this post, I'll show you the other ways to avoid that busy route. 

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.01.17

Kiyomizudera is one of the most famous places to visit in Kyoto. Actually, it is always crowded with many tourists.

We can enjoy the extraordinary autumn leaves on the iconic stage.

たけちよ

Check out the video. The renovation was finished on the day before. Enjoy them on the brand-new stage, BAAAAH!!!!!

There are many Momiji trees near the stage and we can admire them on the stage of Okuno-in.

七里ヶ浜親方

Kiyomizudera has many facilities. We are on the stage of Okuno-in around 10:00. Check the video out.

KIYOMIZUDERA temple guide: Deities, stage, renovation, mainhall, must-sees 清水寺につき英語で説明

The absolute guide of Kiyomizudera temple. Deities, stage, renovation, main hall and othre must-sees, all the things available.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.08.14

シカさん

There are many things to see there.

Gion bus stop @ 07:40 祇園バス停　7時40分頃

Be at Gion bus stop B around 07:40. It takes about 30 minutes from Kiyomizudera temple. Take no.12 for Kinkakuji at 07:50 (weekdays) or 07:49 (weekends and holidays).

We’ll gat to Kinkakuji michi bus stop around 08:30.

シカさん

There are 3 Gion bus stops and bus stop B is located in front of Japan Kanji Museum and Library. You’ll find this gate on the right.

Kinkakuji @ 08:45 金閣寺着　8時45分頃

There are 3 Kinkkauji michi bus stops. No. 12 arrives at the red one. The red alien is the entrance of Kinkakuji temple.

シカさん

Walk in the same direction the bus you were on goes. Turn right at the second traffic light (indicated as 金閣寺前/ Kinkakujimae) and you’ll find the entrance.

Kinkakuji opens up the gate at 09:00. In the autumn leaves seasons, we usually wait in line to enter.

たけちよ

I would takes hours to enter. I waited about 2 hours couples of years ago. Kinkakuji is a large place and it takes about 1 hour to get through to the exit. So, I planed to leave there around 11:00.

Kinkakuji temple 金閣寺

About Kinkakuji temple 金閣寺について

Kinkakuji is also a famous place to visit in Kyoto and crowded especially in the autumn leaves season. It has many faculties in a large garden.

七里ヶ浜親方

The red octopus is the entrance and the yellow one is the exit. It takes about 1 hour to reach the exit in this season.

At the red octopus, we can see the golden pavilion. Kinkakuji is designed to enjoy on boat and there are few Momijis to be enjoyed with it.

The garden under the strong influence of  is a beautiful one with many autumn leaves.

シカさん

About Kinkakuji？

Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple/Pavilion 金閣寺英語で説明

 Kinkakuji temple a.k.a. as the golden pavilion in Kyoto is one of the best place to see in Kyoto. Let us learn about what to see like the golden, dry garden, and its history.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2017.10.09

Leave Kinkakuji around 11:00 金閣寺発　11時半

Take no.12, 102, 204, or 205 for Kitaoji Bus Terminal at bus stop C.

We head for Kyoto shiyakusho-mae sta. as following:

Schedule of 2024

七里ヶ浜親方

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and National holidays only. Not weekdays, right?

Introduction 概説

In 2024, Ninnaji temple provides us with Aomomiji night illumination. In this post, I’ll show you the way to enjoy it, 合掌。

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From twilight to night 夕暮れから夜に至る経緯

For Ao Momji night illumination, the gate is open to us at 18:00. In May, we are still in dusk.

Around 20:00, we find ourselves in the darkness.

I do love the color of the sky. We can admire it only in early summer.

七里ヶ浜親方

The color is peculiar to the twilights from early May to Sakimatsuri of Gion Matsuri. When Atomatsuri started, the sky contains blue and red.

We have an opportunity to enjoy both of them in Ninnaji this year.

There is a place to rest. Automated vending machine and benches are available there.

Omuro Cherry 御室さくらんぼ

Ninnaji is famous for Omuro Zakura cherry blossoms for centuries. In early summer, we can admire tiny cherries on Omuro Zakura trees.

お福さん

Omuro Zakura? Check these articles. Haradanien, the Sakura Paradise, also has Omuro Zakura.

Omuro Zakura in Ninnaji temple and its forecast 2026: 御室桜英語で説明

Generally speaking, Omuro Zakura of Ninnaji is the last-blooming Sakura in Kyoto. It is in full-bloom in mid-April usually. You can learn about the Sakura and the way to enjoy it in this article.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2020.03.12

Haradanien garden 2026: Cherry blossom supreme in Kyoto 原谷苑の桜英語で説明

The guide of Haradanien 2026. It is one of the most beautiful places to admire Sakura and the most popular destination among Kyoto-enthusiasts.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.02.28

シカさん

Of course we can enjoy Omuro Zakura there. In pictrure!

Only restricted places 参拝は仁王門から金堂まで

In the night illumination, we are not allowed to visit the halls in Ninnaji. We can be in the path lead us to Kondo, the main hall.

This is Nioh mon gate. We can enter the temple in the door though the gate is closed.

In side the gate, there is a reception place. Pay entrance fee there (1,000 yen for adult)

Receptionist gave us this. It shows us the path we can walk (Indicated by the red allow.)

It says when guides wait for us we can take photo of Kondo following their advice.

After the reception place, we walk towards Kondo catching a glimpse of the pagoda with 令和 Reiwa.

あ

Flashe photos prohibited,

うん

right?

This kind of things means “DO NOT ENTER.”

Kondo used to be a Shisinden of Imperial palace. It was constructed in 1612 and is the oldest one. Shisinden is the main hall in Imperial palace. Important ceremonies, like Sokui Rei (Enthronement of Emperor), are held there.

Now it works as the main hall of Ninnaji and a statue of Amitabha and those of its gradians are enshrined.

Special Ao Momiji Goshuin 青もみじライトアップ限定御朱印

We can have it at the reception place for 500 yen.

How to get to Ninnaji temple?

Kyoto City bus: No. 10, 26, and 59: Omuro Ninnaji bus stop

Randen (Keifuku railways): Omuro Ninnnaji station

たけちよ

From Kyoto sta., No. 26 is convenient.

About Ninnaji temple

THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE

• Page 1 Introduction, Yasaka shrine, Plum blossom, and Sakura 1
• Page 2 Sakura2
• Page 3 Sakura 3
• Page 4 Sakura 4
• Page 5 Aomomiji and Summer
• Page 6 Autumn leaves 1
• Page 7 Autumn leaves 2

The following is the contents of this article.

Introduction

In Kyoto, we can enjoy night illuminations all year long. Sakura, Aomomiji, Matsuri, and Autumn leaves in four seasons. In this post, I’ll show you all of them for a starting point. 合掌

Yasaka shrine 365 days

Highlight

Yaska shrine is illuminated 365 days. The Komagata Chochin lanterns of Buden and lights are always lit except Omitama Utsushi in Gion Matsuri.

七里ヶ浜親方

Omitama Utsushi take place 2 times; On 15/8 and 24/8. Nearly half an hour each.

たけちよ

Usually, there are no Mikoshis in Buden.

How to get to Yasaka shrine?

Kyoto city bus: Gion bus stop. No. 100, 203, 206, and other lines are available.

Keihan railways: Gion Shijo station.

Hankyu railways: Kawaramachi station.

It would be better to take trains to keep social distancing,

About Yasaka shrine

Plum blossom 梅

Plum blossoms tells us winter is nearly ending. In ancient times, people admired plum blossoms as the flower of spring. In Manyoshu, the oldest compilation of Waka, has many poems about it.

たけちよ

Our new Imperial period was named after a poem describes plum blossoms in Manyoshu.

The meaning of Reiwa, the new Japanese Imperial period

Reiwa (令和), what does the new Imperial period/era mean? Why are Japanese people delighted because it was quoted the Manyosyu?

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.04.01

Kitano Tenmangu shrine

Highlight

Kitano Tenmangu shrine illuminates its Baien garden (Plum garden) in early spring.  There are no places to enjoy plum blossoms illuminated except the shrine though there are many places to enjoy Plum blossoms in Kyoto.

In addition to it, the garden is illuminated with candles.

七里ヶ浜親方

Candle night illuminations are available only in Kitano Tenmangu and on my head!

シカさん

You could enjoy Wadaiko performance. (It didn’t take place last 3 years).

How to get to Kitano Tenmangu shrine?

Kyoto city bus: Kitano Tenmangu mae bus stop.

Randen: Kitano Hakubaicho station

About Kitano Tenmangu shrine

Cherry blossom 桜

Cherry blossoms is a flower of spring. We have many kinds of Sakura to enjoy in Kyoto. Shrines and temples hold night illumination events.

Toji temple

Highlight

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Best Sakura illumination, EVAAAH!!!

Toji temple is one of the oldest temple in Kyoto. It remains the same place when Heiankyo city was built. In Kondo building, statues of Buddhist Deities make so-called 3-D mandala. The Illumination of Toji in spring is the best one in Kyoto.

The most famous 120 years old weeping cherry blossom in Toji. It welcomes us at the entrance of the garden.

Mizukagami is an art to admire something. We see reflection on surface of water. Toji provides us with extraordinary Mizukagami.

How to get to Toji temple?

Kyoto city bus: Toji Higashimon mae or Toji michi bus stop

JR West: Kyoto station

Kintesu rail ways: Toji station

About Toji temple

Kiyomizudera temple 清水寺

Highlight

Kiyomizudera temple is one of the most popular places and also known as one of the best Sakura places.

We can visit the main hall, the pagoda, Okunoin as we do in during the daytime.

Visiting at the twilight time is strongly recommended.

How to get to Kiyomizudera temple?

Train: Keihan Gion shijo/Gojozaka station or Hankyu Kawaramachi station.

Kyoto city bus: Sijo Kawaramachi/Gion bus stop. Gojyozaka and Kiyomizu michi bus stop is not available because they are so crowded.

About Kiyomizudera temple