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

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.

Address

36 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho Higashiyama-ku

Red maple leaves period: Early to Mid November

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.

Address

795 Honmachi 15-chome Higashiyama-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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.

Address

802 Honmachi 15-chome Higashiyama-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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.

Address:

28 Zushiokukachocho Yamashina-ku

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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.

Address:

4 Sagaosawacho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

Red maple leaves period: Mid to Late November

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 !