1
Toji Temple (Kyoohogokokuji Temple)

Light up the temple at night. The competition between the five-story pagoda, a national treasure, and the autumn leaves is breathtaking.

Eikando is home to the five-story pagoda (National Treasure), the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan and one of the symbols of Kyoto. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, partly because it is conveniently located within walking distance from Kyoto Station.

In 1994, the garden was registered as a World Heritage Site as "Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto" in recognition of its cultural value as the only remaining remains of the Heian-kyo capital in Kyoto.

The temple has about 250 maple trees planted within its spacious precincts, and in late autumn, visitors can enjoy the collaboration of the historic building and the autumn leaves. In particular, the autumn leaves around Hyotan Pond in the center of the pond garden are a must-see when they combine with the five-story pagoda.

From November to mid-December, the temple usually holds a special nighttime viewing of the Kondo (main hall) and Kodo (lecture hall), as well as the lighting up of the autumn leaves. The sight of the five-story pagoda floating in the darkness of the night is very elegant. The illuminated leaves reflect on the surface of the pond, creating a fantastic photo opportunity.

The first changing of the colors] Usually in mid-November
[Best time to visit] Usually from late November to early December
[Kinds of autumn leaves] Iroha-momiji, maple, ginkgo, and cherry blossom

▼Lighting of Autumn Leaves and Special Nighttime Viewing of Kondo and Kodo Halls
Period: Saturday, November 1 - Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 18:00 - 21:30 (last admission 21:00)
Admission: Adults and high school students 1,000 yen, junior high school students and younger 500 yen
Location: On the Toji Temple grounds

Toji Temple (Kyoohogokokuji Temple)

• 1 Kujo-machi, Minami-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 10 min. walk from Toji Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line
  15 min. walk from JR Kyoto Station
• 5:00-17:00 (Kondo and Auditorium 8:00-16:30 closed)
• Free (Kondo and Auditorium are charged)
• 075-691-3325
• Yes (600 yen for 2 hours)
• Click here for more information about "OMO3 Kyoto Toji by Hoshino Resorts" World Heritage Site "Toji" Autumn Foliage Light-up Walk
  
  

2
Tofukuji Temple

Peering down from Sanmei Bridge at the 2,000 autumn leaves that stain the valley.

This temple is the head temple of the Tofukuji School of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism, with 25 temples in the area, and is one of the largest Zen temples with seven halls. The temple is one of the largest Zen temples in Japan, with seven halls and seven temples. The temple has many attractions, including a zendo (Zen hall) and a toji (a Shinto shrine), both of which still preserve medieval Zen architecture, and the Sanmon Gate, the oldest and largest gate in Japan, is designated a national treasure.

The Sengyokukan, a ravine running east to west across the temple grounds, attracts many tourists. During the peak season of fall foliage, approximately 2,000 maple trees, including the "Tongtian maple" brought back from the Sung Dynasty by Enji, the temple's founder, all turn color at the same time.

The view from the three famous bridges of Tofukuji Temple, Gagun Bridge, Tongten Bridge, and Bastore Bridge, is especially popular. The view of Tsutenkyo Bridge from Gagunkyo Bridge over the deep red waters of Sengokukan is especially spectacular.

Every year from late November to early December, a special nighttime private viewing is held. Visitors can look down from Tsutenkyo Bridge to see the autumn leaves illuminated.

The beginning of the changing of colors] Usually early November
[Best time to view] Usually mid-November to late November
[Kind of autumn leaves] Iroha-momiji, oomomiji, etc.

▼ Special Tofukuji Temple Nighttime Charter Special Viewing for 2025
Period: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Sunday, December 7, 2025
Time: 17:30 - 19:30 (last admission 19:00)
Fee: 2,800 yen (full reservation required through JR Tokai "EX Travel Reservation")
Location: Tofukuji Temple Tsutenbashi Area and Hodo Hall

Tofukuji Temple

• 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 10 min. walk from Tofukuji Station on Keihan Line
  10 min. walk from JR Tofukuji Station
• Take a city bus from JR Kyoto Station, get off at Tofukuji bus stop, and walk about 4 minutes.
• 9:00-16:00 (gate closes at 16:30) *December 8 - March 31: ~15:30 (gate closes at 16:00)
• Tofukuji Honbo Garden (Hojo): Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 300 yen
  Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando-Hall: Adults 600 yen, elementary and junior high school students 300 yen (Adults 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen from November 15 to December 7)
  Common admission ticket: Adults 1,000 yen, elementary/junior high school students 500 yen (not available from Nov. 15 to Dec. 7)
• 075-561-0087
• Available (Parking on the south side of Zendo in the Tofukuji Temple precincts or in the Tofukuji Temple North Parking Lot)

3
Eikando (Zenrin-ji Temple)

Eikando has been called "Eikando of maple leaves in autumn" since ancient times, and is one of the most famous places in Kyoto for autumn foliage viewing.

The temple is located on Mt. Wakaoji, one of the 36 peaks of Higashiyama, a mountain range to the east of downtown Kyoto. The temple grounds are planted with approximately 3,000 maple trees and other foliage trees, and has been called "Eikando of maple trees in autumn" by many famous people since ancient times, making it one of Kyoto's most famous places for autumn foliage viewing.

In particular, the maple trees planted on the eastern slope of the Mikageido Hall have long been known as "Iwagaki-momiji," or "Iwagaki maple.

The Dabotou Pagoda, which stands at the highest point in the precincts of the temple, is enveloped in the autumnal colors of autumn, a scene that is uniquely Kyoto. From the pagoda, visitors can enjoy a view of the city of Kyoto in the autumn foliage.

Every year from mid-November to early December, the pagoda is lit up at night to illuminate the autumn leaves. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic scenery that emerges when illuminated by the light.

The first changing of the colors] Usually in mid-November

The Eikando is known as "Eikando of Maples in Autumn" by many famous people since its inception.

Eikando Temple Nighttime Autumn Foliage Light-up
Period: Nov. 15 (Sat) - Dec. 10 (Wed), 2025
Time: 17:30 - 21:00 (registration closes at 20:30)
Admission: 700 yen for junior high school students and older
Location: Garden, Amida Hall and near the Taho Pagoda
Note: Special temple treasures exhibition will be held during the day from Nov. 11 (Tue) - Dec. 10 (Wed), 2025; no through admission due to day/night changeover system.
Daytime admission fee during the exhibition of temple treasures is 1, 000 yen.

Eikando Temple (Zenrinji Temple)

• 48 Eikando-machi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 15 minutes walk from Keage Subway Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway)
• 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
• Adults 600 yen, children and high school students 400 yen
• 075-761-0007

4
Shimogamo villa of the former MII family

A panoramic view of Higashiyama in autumn from the third-floor watchtower of the main building

The former villa of the wealthy Mitsui family, located south of the World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine. This Property was used as a resting place for worshippers visiting the Akina Reisha Shrine, which enshrines the ancestors of the Mitsui family. The structure of the large villa, which was built by the Taisho period (1912-1926), has been well preserved, and in 2011 it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

It has been open to the public since 2016, and visitors can see the first floor of the main building built in the Meiji period, the Taisho period entrance building, and the garden. Inside the residence, visitors can also enjoy the garden and a coffee shop menu that includes Hakudama zenzai (Japanese sweet made with bean jam) and seasonal fresh sweets and green powdered tea.

Late autumn is a popular season to enjoy the beautiful scenery of autumn leaves, moss, and ponds. The second floor of the main building and the third floor of the watchtower, which are usually closed to the public, are open to the public from late November to early December. From the second floor of the main building, visitors can look down on the garden, which is decorated with autumn leaves, and from the third floor watchtower, they can look out over Higashiyama (Mt. Higashi) in autumn colors.

The garden is open to the public from the second floor of the main building to the third floor of the main building, where you can look down on the autumn leaves.

▼ Former MII family's Shimogamo villa Special Autumn Viewing
Period: Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Sunday, December 7, 2025 *Except Wednesdays
Time: 9:15 - 16:30 (opening at 9:00, closing at 17:00) *Pre-order reservation priority
Fee: Adults 1,100 yen, Junior high and high school students 800 yen, Elementary school students 600 yen
Location: Main building 1st floor, Main building 2nd floor, Main building 3rd floor watchtower, Entrance building, garden
Note: Priority for advance reservations (same-day tickets also available). Reservations can be made through Kyoto Kanko NAVI, the official website of Kyoto tourism. Café business is closed during the period to ensure visitor flow.

Former Shimogamo Residence of the MII Family

• 58-2 Shimogamo-Miyagawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 5 min. walk from Demachiyanagi Sta. of Keihan Railway or Eizan Railway.
• Take a city bus from JR Kyoto Station, get off at Kawaramachi-Imadegawa or Aoi-bashi Nishizume bus stop, and walk 5 minutes.
• 9:00 - 17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)
• Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a national holiday, the museum will be open on Wednesday and closed the following day), December 29 - December 31
• General admission: 500 yen (600 yen on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays), junior high and high school students: 300 yen, elementary school students: 200 yen
• 075-366-4321

5
Murinan (Murinan)

The view of autumn leaves as seen by Aritomo Yamagata is right in front of you.

A villa built in 1896 by Aritomo Yamagata, a politician active in the Meiji and Taisho periods.

It is one of the few properties in the Nanzenji area that are open to the public year-round, and visitors can tour the garden, main house, and Western-style house. The naturalistic garden with Higashiyama as a backdrop is considered a masterpiece of modern Japanese gardening by Jihei Ogawa VII, a gardener from the Meiji and Showa periods, and was designated a national place of scenic beauty in 1951. A stream drawn from the Biwako Sosui (Lake Biwa Canal) flows gently through the center of the garden, creating a truly elegant atmosphere.

When autumn approaches, the trees in the garden turn reddish-yellow, which is especially beautiful. At the garden café in the main building, visitors can enjoy matcha green tea, coffee, or sparkling wine while admiring the garden brocade that Aritomo Yamagata loved during his lifetime, as it still does today.

Also, on weekends from mid to late November, the garden is open to the public at night under the title of "Twilight Garden Party. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the illuminated garden, listening to explanations by the garden concierge, and enjoying the café menu.

The garden is open to the public on weekends, and the concierge will provide explanations and a café menu.

Special autumn foliage nighttime viewing Twilight Garden Party 2025
Dates: November 15 (Sat.), 16 (Sun.), 22 (Sat.), 23 (Sat.), 24 (Mon.), 2025
Time: ① 17:30-19:30 ② 19:30-21:30 *Two sessions, complete replacement system, capacity of 30 people per section (reservation required, first-come, first-served basis). (Reservations required, first-come-first-served basis)
Fee: 4,500 yen (includes cafe menu with matcha green tea, sparkling wine, etc. and guide)
Location: Garden, 1st and 2nd floors of the main building, Western-style house
URL: https://murin-an.jp/events/event-20251115-24/

Murinan

• 31 Kusakawacho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 7 minutes walk from Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Line.
• From JR Kyoto Station, take a city bus to "Jingu-michi" or "Okazaki Park/Art Museum/Heian Jingu-mae" bus stop. 10 min. walk.
• April-September: 9:00-18:00 (doors close at 17:30)
  October - March: 9:00 - 17:00 (closing at 16:30)
  Priority is given to reservations. Admission is by the hour, with a limit on the number of visitors.
• December 29 - December 31
• Normal Adults 600 yen, Busy days Adults 900 yen - 1,500 yen *Check website for details *Free admission for children under elementary school age
• 075-771-3909
• Admission is free for those under 35 years old on the 28th of every month as "Garden Day".

6
Kodaiji Temple

Don't miss the autumn light-up and the projection mapping of the dry landscape garden.

This Zen temple was built by Kitamasasho (Nene), the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to mourn his death. The temple grounds are dotted with nationally important cultural properties such as "Kangetsudai" (moon viewing platform), "Kaisando-Do" and two tea houses, "Kasa-tei" and "Shigure-tei".

One of the highlights is the Kodaiji Garden, a garden with a circular path around a pond, said to have been created by Enshu Kobori (a historical site and a place of scenic beauty). The garden, with Higashiyama as its backdrop, is planted with approximately 1,000 trees, including Iroha-momiji and Yama-momiji, which turn the entire garden reddish-yellow during the fall foliage season.

The garden is usually open for special autumn viewing from late October to mid-December, attracting many tourists who come to see the garden in its autumnal hues. The reflection of the autumn leaves on the surface of the Garyu Pond, over which the Garyu Corridor hangs, is especially beautiful. During the same season, the closing time of the gate is extended until night. The autumn leaves illuminated by gentle light, and the magnificent projection mapping of "Hashintei," the garden in front of the Hojo (the main building of the temple) with its dry landscape garden, are a must-see.

The beginning of the changing of colors] Usually early November

Types of Autumn Foliage】Iroha-momiji, Yama-momiji, Momiji-bafu, maple, dodan-tsutsuji, etc.

Kodaiji Temple Autumn Special Viewing
Period: October 24 (Fri.) to December 14 (Sun.), 2025
Hours: 9:00 - 22:00 (registration closes at 21:30, lighting starts at 17:00)
Entrance fee: Same as regular entrance fee *No day/night entrance system, but once you leave through the exit, you cannot re-enter the temple with the same ticket
Location: Various locations within the precincts of the temple

Kodaiji Temple

• 526 Shimogawara-cho, Kodaiji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto MAP
• 10 min. walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line
• Take a city bus from JR Kyoto Station, get off at Higashiyama Yasui bus stop, and walk about 7 minutes.
• 9:00 - 17:30 (reception closes at 17:00)
• Adults 600 yen, junior high and high school students 250 yen *Elementary school students and younger are exempt from admission for up to 5 persons accompanied by an adult parent or guardian (no visit by elementary school students and younger alone).
• 075-561-9966
• Charged