In Kyoto, there are many sightseeing places will run lighten-up touring activities. These places are also for fall foliage sceneries. Even at night time, visitors can enjoy different and wonderful views. Do you want to have comparison for the colors of red leaves in daytime and night-time? So please refer hereunder arrangement.
Rakuto district
Kodai-ji Temple
The temple that built by Nene, it was for the blessing of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, her husband. The Hashintei of Hojo Front Garden and Chokushi-mon will have colorful projections to express different themes. To have a walk during the lighten-up tour, can enjoy the bamboo wood and red leaves under illumination. And Gari Youchi pond reflects the beautiful night sceneries.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:30pm (Last entrance at 5:00pm)
Lighten-up event: 21st October and 10th December: sunset to 10:00pm ( Last entrance at 9:30) (No need buy for extra night tour ticket)
Fee:
600Yen for adults, 250Yen for secondary school, 900Yen for combined ticket (Kodai-ji, Entoku-in and Kodai-ji Sho Museum), Entoku-in: 500Yen adults, 200Yen for secondary school, free for under primary school
Address:
26 Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku
Get off at Higashiyama Yasui Bus Stop by City Bus, 5 mins walk
Car park: Touhenboku Kodai-ji : 150cars. Can reserve 2 months before, maybe no instant parking during red leaves period
Red maple leaves period:
Mid November to Early December
Shoren-in Temple
This temple worshiping Shijoko Nyorai (Buddha) holds lighten-up night tour every year. The light of lamps are same as the temple’s name“Blue”(the word in Japanese“Sho”). The garden made by painter Soami in Muromachi period and Kirishima Garden made by gardener Kobori Masakazu are the good places to see red leaves with blue light.
The famous Shoguntsuka will also run lighten-up activities though it is not in Shoren-in Temple.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Last entrance at 4:30pm)
Lighten-up events: 27th October to 3rd December (2017) 6:00pm to 10:00pm (Last entrance at 9:30pm)
Fee: Free
500Yen adults, 400Yen for secondary school, 200Yen for primary school
Lighten-up event: 800Yen, 400Yen for secondary and primary school
Address:
69-1 Awataguchi Sanjobocho Higashiyama-ku
Get off at Higashiyama Station by Subway Tozai Line, 5mins walk
Get off at Shrine Michi Bus Stop by City Bus, 3mins walk
Car park: 5 cars (free)
Red maple leaves period:
Late November
Rakuhoku district
Kifune Shrine
Take off the train at Kibuneguchi Station, walk along the lanterns of pilgrimage's path to Kifune Shrine. Red leaves under the bright lamps are more charming. There are lighten-up in the whole shrine. The popular“Red Leaves Tunnel” is located in between Ichihara Station and Ninose Station, with 250 meters length. Live shows are held on weekend and holiday here.
Opening hours:
1st May to 30th November: 6:00am to 8:00pm, 1st December to 30th April: 6:00am to 6:00pm
Shops at temple: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Lighten-up events: 3rd to 26th November 2017: sunset to 9:00pm
Fee: Free
Address:
180 Kuramakibunecho Sakyo-ku
Get off at Kibuneguchi Station by Eizan Railway, 30mins walk
Get off at Kibune Bus Stop by Kyoto Bus, 5mins walk
Walk for 5-10mins to Kibune Kanko Car Park, be aware that there is always full.
Red maple leaves period:
Early to Late November
Hosenin
It is located at Ohara. It is famous as the scenery looks like watching through a frame. Sitting at the wooden floor corridor with rugs cover, enjoy the tea and traditional Japanese sweets wagashi, together with autumn foliage at the same time. Is it beauty? And there will run lighten-up activities.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Last entrance 4:30pm)
Lighten-up activity: 4th November to 3rd December: 5:45pm to 9:00pm (Last entrance at 8:40pm) (2017)
Fee: 800Yen for adults, 700Yen for secondary school, 600Yen for primary school (with Japanese sweets)
Address:
187 Oharashorinincho Sakyo-ku
Get off at Ohara Bus Stop by Kyoto Bus, 15mins walk
Red maple leaves period:
Mid to Late November
Rakuchi district
Kitano Tenmangu
At the west of the palace is the Odoi (earthwork) built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a palace for holiday built on the ruin of a moat. Walk toward is the maple garden with about 300 maple trees. Some of the trees are 3-400years old. The red Uguisubashi Bridge together with red leaves and the lighten-up activities, plenty tourists come for them and photo shooting non-stop.
Opening hours: 24 hours
April to September: 5:00am to 6:00pm, October to March: 5:30pm to 5:30pm
Office・Small shops at temple: 9:00am to 5:00pm (During lighten-up event: 9:00am to 8:00pm)
Lighten-up events: 11th November to 3rd December: sunset to 8:00pm ( Close earlier on 7th December: sunset to 7:00pm) (2017)
Fee: Maple Garden: 700Yen for adults, 350Yen for children (with Japanese sweets)
Address:
Bakurocho Kamigyo Ward
Get off at Hakubaicho Station by Keifuku Railway, 5mins walk
Get off at Kitano Tenmangu-mae by City Bus
Although there is car bus, it is only available from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Suggest taking public transport
Red maple leaves period:
Late November to Early December
Rakusei district
Jingo-ji Temple
The red leaves here will appear earlier than other places in Kyoto. In the lighten-up night tour, walk up from the Sanmon (main gate), both side of the stone stairs are planted with acer palmatum Takao trees. They are special charming under the lights. The Bhaisajyaguru statue in Kondo will be open to public.
Walking along the pilgrimage's path of Jingo-ji Temple and Kiyotaki River, will arrive somewhere near Saimyouji Temple. There will hold “Takao Momiji Lighten-up Event”. Do not miss it.
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Lighten-up events: 5th to 19th November (2017): 5:00pm to 7:00pm (Pilgrimage’s path to 8:00pm)
Fee: 800Yen
Address: 1
1 Umegahata Toganoocho Ukyo-ku
Get off at Yamashiro Takao Bus Stop by JR Bus, 20mins walk
Get off at Takao Bus Stop by City Bus, 20mins walk
1km away has Kyoto Takao Kanko Car Park for 40cars
Red maple leaves period:
Early to Late November
Epilogue
Since the chapter is limited, it is not able to list out and introduce all the places with lighten-up night tour activities. When you enjoy the red leaves sceneries on daytime as well as at night, you will know the differences of feeling and sight. Such difference is interesting, like brand new sceneries. However, I think you can find the most favorite lighten-up red leaves scenery.
