Fully enjoy the fun in Kyoto, Seven red leaves places for worship at night

Lighting Up
東寺の紅葉　夜景

If without long holiday and only can take short stay in Kyoto. I think many of them will try to enjoy different red leaves sceneries all the days. Now we recommend these places for night visits. Maybe offer you expectable happiness. Good for these people who want to fully use their time for fall foliage trips.

To-ji Temple

To-ji Temple

There are night activities in To-ji Temple for night worship. At the same time to see the night view of Kondo Hall and Kodo Hall, also the reflection of red leaves and light of 5-storeyed pagoda on the “Release pond”(to release animals as an atonement) . Hurry up for photos taking!In the survey named“Let’s go to Kyoto!”(Souda Kyoto) held by JR Central (Central Japan Railway Company) in 2017. The vote of night worship for To-ji Temple was quite high. If you want to avoid crowded situation, it is more suitable to go in the early or nearly close period.
Opening hours: 5:00am to 5:00pm( Last entrance at 4:30pm)Kondo Hall and Kodo Hall: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Last entrance at 4:30pm)Treasure Museum Kanchi-in House: 9:00am to 5:00pm( Last entrance at 4:30)Night worship: 28th October to 10th December (2017): 6:30pm to 9:30pm (Last entrance at 9:00pm)Fee: Autumn special opening period (20th September to 25th November)Mieido House canteen: FreeKondo Hall and Kodo Hall: 500 Yen for adults, 400Yen for high school, 300Yen for secondary schoolTreasure Museum: 500Yen for older than high school, 300Yen for below secondary schoolKanchi-in House: 500Yen for older than high school, 300Yen for below secondary schoolCombined Ticket: 1000Yen for older than high school, 500 Yen for below secondary schoolNight worship: 1000Yen

Address

Kujocho Minami Ward 1

  • Get off at Kyoto Station Hachijo Dori by JR Railway, 15mins walk
  • Get off at To-ji Station by Kintetsu Railway, 10mins walk
  • Get off at To-ji Higashimon-mae by City Bus, 1mins walk

Red maple leaves period: Late November to Early December

[hr][/hr]Zuishin-in Temple

Zuishin-in Temple

The temple was on the same place of the home of the famous female Waka singer Ono no Komachi in Heian period. People can catch views of beautiful red leaves in front of the main hall. Do not miss the mosses that are brightening by the flash lights. In the period of lighten up event, there are also sacrificial rites for Komachi Festival. Other than the statue of “Nyoirin Kannon” for worship, the beautiful girl competition (beauty pageant )“Miss Ono no Komachi”also be hold.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pmNight worship: 17th November to 3rd December (2017) 6:00pm to 8:30pmFee: 500 Yen for adults, 300Yen for secondary schoolNight worship: 600Yen adults, 400Yen for secondary school

Address:

35 Onogoryōcho Yamashina-ku

  • Get off at Ono Station by Subway Tozai Line, 5 mins walk
  • Car park for 50cars

Red maple leaves periodMid to Late November

[hr][/hr]Manshu-in Temple

Manshu-in Temple

Can be viewed at big school and small school, pictures caused by Karesansui dry rock garden, red leaves and green Kirishima rhododendron leave are well match with illusory feeling.
Opening hours: 24hoursNight Worship: 1st November to 30th November (2017) 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Last entrance at 7:30pm)Fee: Night worship 600Yen
[hr][/hr]Daigo-ji Temple

Daigo-ji Temple

Here was famous since it was the place holding the last“Daigo no Hanami”, a feast with flowers held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi before his death. In the night worship time, those buildings of Bentendo, Kondo Hall and 5-storeyed pagoda at the district of Daigo area together with the spread over red leaves, constructs an unforgettable picture. The pond in front of Bentendo can see the reflection of fall foliage. You have to reserve for the tickets for night worship in Daigo-ji Temple. In 2017, it started at 5:45pm, together with the restaurant and Gagaku and Buddhist traditional chant Shomyo performance tickets. You have to arrive earlier to buy the tickets because it is in limited offer.
Opening hours: 24 hours1st March to first Sunday in December: 9:00am to 5:00pmFirst Sunday in December and the next Sunday to Last day in February: 9:00am to 4:30pmStop admission: 1 hour before closure (Last entrance 30 mins before closure)Fee:Spring to Autumn (20th March to 15th May, 15th October to 10th December)Sanbo-in･Reihokan･Temple･Garan: 1,500Yen for adults, 1,000Yen for secondary and high school, Free for below primary schoolNight worship: 1,000Yen

Address:

22 Daigohigashiojicho Fushimi-ku

  • Get off at Daigo Station by Subway Tozai Line, 10mins walk
  • Get off at Daigo-ji Temple Bus Stop by Keihan Bus
  • Car park for 100cars

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

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Byodo-in Temple

See the phoenix stamped on the currency JY10000 and the Phoenix Hall (Hoodo) craved on the JY10 coin. They are the building and design of Byodo-in Temple. This was built by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, the son of Fujiwara no Michinaga, a Kugyo (the highest administrator of the government) in the middle Heian Period. It represented the prosperous age. In period of red leaves, from Aji Pond to Phoenix Hall, garden of Byodo-in to Tatchu Jodo-in Temple, sceneries of about 200 maple trees are visible. In 2017, the lighten-up event re-started again after 15 years. There are about 120 LED lights illuminated the whole Byodo-in Garden.
Opening hours: 24hoursGarden: 8:30am to 5:30pmByodoin Museum Hoshokan: 9:00am to 5:30pmPhoenix Hall worship: 9:30am to 4:10pm (Ticket sale at 9:10am , 50 worshipers per 20mins)Lighten-up event: 18th November to 3rd December( 2017) Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holiday: 6:00pm to 8:30pm (Last entrance at 8:00pm)Separated from the nighttime ticketFee:Garden+ Byodoin Museum Hoshokan: 600Yen for adults, 400Yen for secondary school, 300Yen for primary schoolPhoenix Hall: 300Yen for night worshipLighten-up Event: 600Yen (Garden+ Byodoin Museum Hoshokan)

Address:

Renge-116 UjiUji-shi

  • Get off at Uji Station by JR Nara Line, 10mins walk
  • Get off at Uji Station by Keihan Railway Uji Line, 10mins walk

Red maple leaves period:Late November to Early December

[hr][/hr]Rukuo-in Temple

Rukuo-in Temple

Need to book through the website of Randen Railway for allowance. There are only 100 people allowed for night worship activities with first come first served basis. In the 300 meters stone set-up worship pathway and Karesansui dry rock garden, visitors can enjoy the lighten-up red leaves sceneries. Click here for more information.
Opening hours: 26th November to 9th December( 2017) 5:30pm to 7:30pm (Last entrance at 7:00pm)Fee: 1,500Yen for night worship( Japanese sweets and souvenirs included)
[hr][/hr]Horin-ji Temple

Horin-ji Temple

During the event of “Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro”, there is also a special“Digital Kakejiku “ event at the same time. It is using colorful light to illuminate the buildings. Different music concerts will be held in everyday, with supplies of hot apple tea drinks. In the beginning of “Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro”, maybe in the period of falling red leaves, so can enjoy the last minute of autumn foliage. (As climate of every year is different, not a must to meet)
Opening hours: 09:00am – 05:00pmNight Stage: 8th to 17th December: Sunset to 8:30pmFee: FreeNight Stage: Free

Address:

Arashiyama Kokuzoyamacho Nishikyo Ward

  • Get off at Arashiyama Station by Hankyu Railway, 5mins walk
  • Get off at Arashiyama Bus Stop by Hankyu Bus, 5mins walk
  • Car park for 20cars

Red maple leaves period: Mid November to Early December

EpilogueTo worship at night and visit those tourist spots, you will have more time to enjoy red leaves. Speed up the dinner to have more time to fall into the carry of red leaves!