Kyoto autumn night illuminations in 2026

The table below is the 2026 list published by Kyoto's tourist information centre, Kyo Navi, as a PDF linked from the official travel guide. The times are the entry window up to last entry, as the list gives them; gates close later at some venues. Prices are for one adult.

Venue 2026 dates Entry (to last entry) Admission
Arashiyama bamboo light-up (Tsukitoro) 30 Sep – 8 Nov 18:00–20:40 ¥1,500
Kyoto Station Building Art Festival 17 Oct – 3 Nov 13:00–20:00 Free
Kodai-ji 23 Oct – 13 Dec 17:00–21:30 ¥800
Entoku-in 23 Oct – 13 Dec 17:00–21:30 ¥500
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 23 Oct – 5 Dec 18:00–21:00 See website
Ninna-ji (Fri, Sat, Sun only) 24 Oct – 13 Dec 18:30–20:30 ¥2,800
Sagano Romantic Train, "train of light" 24 Oct – 29 Dec From 16:30 to last train ¥880 one way
Torin-in, Myoshin-ji 30 Oct – 8 Nov 18:00–20:00 ¥800
Higashi Hongan-ji, NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS 31 Oct – 6 Dec 18:00–21:00 See website
Shoseien Garden, NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS 31 Oct – 6 Dec 18:00–21:00 See website
Japanese garden at Shozan Resort Kyoto 31 Oct – 6 Dec 17:30–19:30 ¥800
To-ji 31 Oct – 13 Dec 18:00–21:00 ¥1,000
Heian-Jingu, WONDER NIGHT JINGU 2 – 29 Nov 17:30–21:00 ¥3,000
Shoren-in 6 Nov – 6 Dec 18:00–21:30 ¥1,500
Umekoji Park, Suzaku no Niwa 13 – 29 Nov 17:00–20:30 ¥600
Kitano Tenmangu, Momiji-en 13 Nov – 6 Dec Sunset–19:40 ¥1,500 with tea and sweets
Hogon-in 13 Nov – 6 Dec 17:30–20:00 ¥1,000
Chion-in 17 Nov – 6 Dec 17:30–21:00 ¥800
Eikando 20 Nov – 6 Dec 17:30–20:30 ¥1,000
Kiyomizu-dera 21 – 30 Nov 17:30–21:00 ¥500
Joju-in, Kiyomizu-dera 21 – 30 Nov 18:00–20:30 ¥600
Myoken-ji 21 Nov – 13 Dec 18:00–20:00 ¥800

Two entries were checked against the temples' own pages on 22 October 2026 and matched: Chion-in's light-up page (gates close 21:30, ¥400 for children) and Eikando's visiting information (gates close 21:00). The list itself says information can change without notice.

How to choose a light-up

One evening between 21 and 30 November. This is when Kiyomizu-dera opens at night, and at ¥500 it is the cheapest temple entry on the list. Our Kiyomizu-dera guide covers its hours and the walk up from the bus. With a second hour to spare, Kodai-ji (¥800) and Entoku-in (¥500) both take entries until 21:30, later than most.

A visit before 17 November. Chion-in, Eikando and Kiyomizu-dera have not started yet, but most of the list has: Kodai-ji, Entoku-in, Ninna-ji at weekends and To-ji from October, Heian-Jingu from 2 November, Shoren-in from 6 November, and Kitano Tenmangu and Hogon-in from 13 November.

December. After 6 December the list shrinks to five temples until 13 December, and the Sagano Romantic Train's lit section, which runs until 29 December apart from 16 December.

Eikando or Chion-in? They overlap from 20 November to 6 December. Eikando costs ¥1,000 and its last entry is 20:30; Chion-in costs ¥800 and takes entries until 21:00. Our Eikando guide and Chion-in guide explain each in detail.

Kyoto, Japan

Closed nights and cancellations

Check the exceptions before you set out. The 2026 list gives these closures:

  • Ninna-ji: Friday to Sunday only, and closed on 8 and 28 November.
  • Higashi Hongan-ji (NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS): closed 6–8 and 25 November.
  • Umekoji Park: closed 16 and 24 November.
  • Sagano Romantic Train: no service on 16 December.

Outdoor events can be called off in bad weather. The list carried rain-cancellation notes for the Arashiyama bamboo light-up and for Torin-in, so check the venue on a wet day. Each entry has a phone number on the PDF.

For a daytime foliage stop on the same trip, Tofuku-ji's Tsutenkyo bridge has no night opening but opens at 8:30 in its autumn period.