Kyoto Autumn Light-Up 2026 Schedule: Eikan-do, Tofuku-ji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto Autumn Light-Up Overview 2026

In Kyoto, autumn is not only a daytime affair. After sunset, temples light their maple gardens with lanterns and projectors, and the red leaves glow against the dark sky. Locals call this yozakura's autumn cousin "night maple" (yoru-momiji). Because 2026 is a warm autumn, the Japan Meteorological Corporation's second forecast (October 1) pushed central Kyoto's peak color to around December 11, about a week later than normal. Most light-up programs run from mid-November through early December, covering exactly that window.

The Four Marquee Light-Ups

These are the 2026 evening special viewing (yakou) schedules published by each temple. Always reconfirm on the official site before you travel, and note that many temples sell day and night as separate tickets with separate entry.

Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji): November 20 to December 6, 17:30 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30), 1,000 yen for the night session. Around 3,000 maples surround its pond garden, making it the textbook Kyoto night maple. Day and night are separate admissions; you must exit before the night session.

Tofuku-ji: the Tsutenkyo bridge night viewing runs about 17:30 to 19:30 and is fully reservation-only (including an early-morning chartered slot), around 2,800 yen. To shoot the maple canyon under Tsutenkyo, book on the official site well ahead; same-day tickets are generally not sold.

Arashiyama: Hogon-in's night special viewing is November 13 to December 6, 1,000 yen. Tenryu-ji's Sogenchi garden is lit by day, and the Sagano sightseeing train "Hikari no Gensou Ressha" departs around 16:30, showing the Hozugawa gorge in autumn color from the window.

Kiyomizu-dera: the autumn special night opening is November 21 to 30, 17:30 to 21:30 (last entry 21:00), 600 yen, no reservation required. The wooden stage overlooks the Higashiyama night view, the classic first-night Kyoto scene.

Tickets and Reservation Notes

Night viewings are usually charged separately from daytime entry. Tofuku-ji's night session is fully reserved; Eikan-do splits day and night; Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji sell at the door. Kodai-ji's autumn night viewing opens earliest (October 23) and closes latest (December 13). Kitano Tenmangu, Shoren-in and Toji also light up, useful for spreading out the crowds.

Planning One Evening Without Rushing

Fitting five temples into one night is unrealistic: separate tickets and separate lines mean two is comfortable and three is a sprint. Anchor on one main temple and stroll nearby. Pair Kiyomizu-dera's night with Ninenzaka and the Yasaka Pagoda; pair Eikan-do with Nanzen-ji and the Philosopher's Path. Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends; November 28 to 29 is the busiest stretch.

Wearing Kimono for Night Maple

On autumn evenings many visitors want a kimono for the night maple photos. If you plan to wear one until dark, choose a shop with flexible return times so you are not rushing to change before closing. You can shoot the empty morning streets and the lit evening maples all in the same outfit. The koyo front generally starts reporting in September; treat peak dates as a guide and recheck the official site before you go.