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Surprising!! 5 red maples leaves spots can enjoy the lighten-up night tour in Kyoto

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If you want to enjoy the lighten-up night tour event with less people, you can read the information below. These spots may be suitable for you to watch the red leaves.

Unryuin

It is in the Sennyu-Ji temple , famous for the statue of “running Mahakala”statue and the Buddhist scriptures. Since this temple is related to the Royal in 2017, a Kikuka Monsho (a coat of arms from the Royal) was engraved on the cover of Suikinkutsu (A kind of music instrument also can be used as decoration) The red leaves period starts earlier in Kyoto. There are lighten-up night tour events from Mid to Late November or in early December. You can’t feel the changes from daytime to nighttime in here. You can appreciate both the daylight and the illuminations in here if you stay from daytime until night. There are many kinds of windows , such as the circle shaped window(悟りの窓) or the rectangle shaped window(蓮華の窓). There are some moon shaped windows inside the room. You can enjoy the Japanese tea while admiring the beautiful garden view.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Last entrance at 8:30pm) Lighten-up event: After sunset to 8:30pm (Last admission) Fee: 400Yen

Address

36 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho Higashiyama-ku

  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by JR Nara Line, walk for 20mins
  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by Keihan Railway, walk for 20mins
  • Get off at Sennyuji-michi bus stop by City bus, walk for 15mins
  • Free Car park

Red maple leaves period: Early to Mid November

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Shorin Ji temple

It is the Tatchu sub-temple (To commemorate the death of the famous monk) of Tofuku-ji Temple. It has a another name called “The Vessavana of Tofuku-ji Temple”. The entrance of the main hall is specially moved from the Konoe family. The posture of the tiger shouting to the moon is the theme of the Garden Shogetsu-tei (嘯月庭). It is very suitable for lighten-up night tour event. In the legend, the Lakshmi (Indian Goddess) once stayed here before so the red maple leaves are named “lucky red leaves”(Lakshmi’s leaves). These leaves always redden later than other maple leaves. You can enjoy the sunlight of the daytime and the illuminated view in the night tour. During the red leaves period, the precious statue of Vessavana will also be open to public.
Opening hours: 10:00am to 7:00pm (18th November to 3rd December in 2017) Fee: 600 Yen for adults (with temple treasures information attached), 300 Yen for secondary school, free for primary school

Address

795 Honmachi 15-chome Higashiyama-ku

  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by Keihan Railway, walk for 8 mins
  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by JR Nara line, walk for 8 mins
  • Get off at Tofukuji Station at City bus

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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Tentokuin

It is the Tatchu sub-temple (To commemorate the death of the famous monk) of Tofuku-ji Temple. It is famous for its balloon flower. The Karesansui dry rock gardens built in Momoyama period is well-known for the colorful mosses. In 1969, horticulturist Kinsaku Nakane repaired a part of the garden. The view watching though the bell shaped window is gorgeous. During the night lighten-up event, you can reserve a table which served by the Kyoto hotel Hatoya Zuihokaku. Enjoy the scenery of red maple leaves at night while having your delicious dinner. Contact Kyoto hotel Hatoya Zuihokaku （075-361-1231 / 9：00~18：00） for more details.
Opening hours: 5:00pm to 7:00pm ( 18th November to 30th November in 2017) Fee 4320 Yen per person ( 500 Yen for visiting and 3820 Yen for dinner)

Address

802 Honmachi 15-chome Higashiyama-ku

  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by JR Nara line, walk for 7 mins
  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by Keihan Railway, walk for 7 mins
  • Get off at Tofukuji Station by City bus, walk for 5 mins

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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Shogunzaka Blue Dragon Hall

Outside the Shoren-In Temple, there is the Shogunzaka Blue Dragon Hall worshiping the masterpiece of painting of Acalanatha (青不動). You can also look down at the whole Kyoto on the new big wooden stage which is open to public since October 2014. This promenade garden has about 220 beautiful maple trees. Since it is at a higher altitude, there are many colorful red leaves. Due to the lighten-up event, you can feel the difference between daytime and the nighttime. There is also a night lighten-up event at the Shoren-In Temple. Suggest take a visit at the same time.
Opening hours: 5:00pm to 9:00pm (27th October to 3rd December in 2017) Fee: 500 Yen for adults, 400 Yen for secondary school, 200 Yen for primary school

Address:

28 Zushiokukachocho Yamashina-ku

  • Take a taxi from Kyoto station for 20 mins
  • Get off at Keage station by Tozai line, take a taxi for 5 mins
  • Walk along the Higashiyama Walking Course from Shoren-In Temple for 30 mins (Suggest not to walk on mountain path after sunset)
  • Get off at Shogunzaka Blue Dragon Hall bus stop by Keihan Bus (Available on everyday in Mid November , the last bus is at 4:45pm)(During the red leaves period, the buses may stop at the Car park of the Higashiyama Sancho Park bus stop)

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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Daikaku-Ji temple

It will hold a special night event真紅之水鏡 (the reflection of the red leaves on the pond) at the Osawaike. The red leaves and the tower near the Osawaike pond will be lightened, with the reflection on the pond. Besides, there a special Goshuin-cho during the event for a limited quantity and time. Beware that tourists are prohibited to visit Daikaku-Ji temple at the night. This year, it has been 1200 years that Emperor Saga finished copying the Heart Sutra by handwriting. There will be a ceremony(戊戌開封法会) at the daytime with the visiting fee 1000 Yen. Visitors can look at the handwriting copy of the Heart Sutra by Emperor Saga. This treasure will only be open every 60 years. In November, there will also be a chrysanthemum flower exhibition (嵯峨菊展) open to public.
Opening hours: 5:30pm to 8:00pm (9th November to 2nd December in 2018) Fee: 500 Yen for adults, 300 Yen for Secondary and Primary School

Address:

4 Sagaosawacho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

  • Get off at Saga-Arashiyama station by JR Railway, walk for 20mins
  • Gett off at Arashiyamam station by Hankyu Railway, walk for 35 mins
  • Get off at Randen-Saga station by Keifuku Electric railroad, walk for 25 mins

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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Epilogue Some locations mentioned are the temples related to Japanese Royal. You can enjoy the night lighten-up events in the peaceful environment. Admire the red leaves views in Kyoto with reference to our recommended viewpoints in Kyoto !