The best autumn illuminations in Kyoto — see the fall leaves glow in the ancient capital!
- Published on : 12/11/2025
- by : Joshua
- Youtube
Kiyomizudera illumination
@mppp on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kyoto is one of the best cities in Japan to see the autumn leaves! Even better is that many locations throughout the city host nighttime illuminations to see the fall foliage in a whole different way!
Autumn is largely said to be one of the best times to visit Japan. The hot, muggy summer weather has made its way out; delicious, warm stews and hot pots become dinner staples, and nature transitions from deep greens to glowing hues of gold and burgundy. Much like the springtime cherry blossoms, the autumn leaves, dubbed "Koyo" in Japanese, mark the changing of seasons.
This changing foliage can be seen throughout the Japanese archipelago, but Kyoto is one of the most ideal places to take in the autumn atmosphere. With traditional architecture, a more modest cityscape, historic temples, and being surrounded by mountains on three sides, Kyoto is a city that serves as the perfect backdrop for the vibrant autumn leaves, but not just during the day!
Fully embracing this identity, Kyoto is host to a number of koyo nighttime illuminations, where lights shine on the autumn leaves to show off their gorgeous hues in spectacular ways! Take a look at some of our favorite places to see autumn leaf illuminations in Kyoto for your next trip to the ancient capital!
Autumn leaves in Kyoto
@Suicasmo on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eikando Temple Night Illumination
48 Eikandocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8445
- Dates: November 15, 2025 - December 10, 2025
- Hours: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM (final entry at 8:30 PM)
- Admission: 700 yen (free for elementary students and younger)
- Official website: https://www.eikando.or.jp/English/osirase_e.html
This is one of the most prominent autumn nighttime illuminations. The grounds of the temple are surrounded by thousands of maple trees. There is a central pond that the surroundings are reflected in, almost like a parallel world when the water is completely still at night! For photographers, the illuminated trees with the multi-storied Tahota pagoda in the background make for a great shot.
Eikando Temple
@Tomomarusan on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Konkai Komyoji Night Illumination
121 Kurodanicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8331
- Dates: November 15th, 2025 - December 7th, 2025
- Hours: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM (final entry at 8:00 PM)
- Admission: 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for elementary school students
- Official website: https://www.kurodani.jp/lightup/
Konkai Komyoji Temple (also known as Kurodani Temple) is located near the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto and has strong ties to the times of samurai. It is well known for its garden dubbed the "Purple Cloud Garden," lined with many maple trees that are illuminated at night. The waters lace through the gardenscape and reflect the surroundings, creating oblong shapes and flowing autumn colors.
"NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle" Moon Viewing
541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301
- Dates: October 31st, 2025 - December 7th, 2025
- Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (final entry at 9:00 PM)
- Admission: Mon-Thurs 1,600-2,000 yen/Fri-Sun + Holidays 2,000 yen-2,400 yen
- Official website: https://event.naked.works/nijojo/autumn/en/
Nijo-jo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto, and in collaboration with media company NAKED, specialized events are held on the grounds throughout the year. During autumn, the Moon Viewing event offers unique digital media experiences as well as illuminations of the trees on the castle grounds, combining both contemporary and traditional culture. Definitely one of the most unique autumn illuminations found in Japan!
Naked meet Nijo-jo Castle
@Indiana jo on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kyomizudera Special Night Viewing
1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862
- Dates: November 22nd, 2025 - December 7th, 2025
- Hours: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM (final entry at 9:00 PM)
- Admission: 500 yen
- Official website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/special_night_viewing/
One of Kyoto's most famous temples, Kiyomizudera sits on Mount Otawa, looking over the city. Surrounded by trees and foliage, in autumn, the grounds and main temple building are fully enveloped in cascading shades of gold and maroon. During the nighttime illumination, the light reflecting off the leaves makes it seem as if the structures of the temple themselves are glowing!
Kiyomizudera illumination
@mppp on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
"Light Cycles by Moment Factory" at Kyoto Botanical Gardens
- Dates: October 1st, 2025 - February 28th, 2025 (Autumn Illumination is tentative)
- Hours: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM (final entry at 8:00 PM)
- Admission: 2,500 yen
- Official website: https://lightcycles-experience.com/kyoto/en/
Kyoto Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in Japan and, just like the NAKED events at Nijo-jo Castle, serves as a traditional backdrop for contemporary illumination displays. The garden is home to Nakaragi Shrine, which has been on the grounds of the garden for over a century. Here, the maple trees of the surrounding forest burst into glowing colors that reflect in the water, beautifully displayed by the unique lighting of the illumination event.
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