FebruaryBaikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)
Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)
Autumn Leaves · Kansai
Eikando (Zenrinji) Temple
Kyoto CityTemple🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
The head temple of the Seizan Zenrinji school of Jodo Buddhism, long known as “Eikando of the maples” and one of Kyoto’s finest spots for autumn leaves. In autumn it holds a temple treasures exhibition and an evening illumination.
- Address
- 48 Eikando-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
- Official website
- https://www.eikando.or.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookKyoto Ginkaku-ji Half-Day Historical Walking TourSmall-group walk from Keage Station with an English-speaking guide to Nanzen-ji, Eikan-do, the Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji. Temple admission is paid on siteView on Klook- PRKlookKyoto Small-Group Day Tour: Kifune Shrine, Eikando or Nanzen-ji & Sanzen-in (from Osaka/Kyoto)Small-group day trip from Osaka or Kyoto to Nanzen-ji or Eikando, Sanzen-in, a ride on the Eizan Railway and Kifune Shrine. Eikando admission is paid separatelyView on Klook
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually mid- to late November
September
October
November
December
Varies with each year’s temperatures. Check the Kyoto City Official Travel Guide’s autumn leaves reports or the official website for the latest colors
This year’s special openings & events
In 2026 the autumn temple treasures exhibition runs 11/11 (Wed)–12/6 (Sun) and the illumination 11/20 (Fri)–12/6 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
About 3,000 maples in the grounds color the pond and the Tahoto pagoda. The temple is also famous for the Mikaeri Amida, a Buddha statue looking back over its shoulder, and during the autumn treasures exhibition temple treasures not usually on view are shown.
📷 Best views
Around Hojo Pond
See the autumn leaves reflected in the pond together with the Tahoto pagoda
Tahoto Pagoda
A pagoda on high ground in the temple grounds, striking when seen through the autumn leaves
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- November 20 (Fri)–December 6 (Sun), 2026
- Hours
- 17:30–20:30 entry (gates close at 21:00)
- Admission
- Junior high school students and up ¥1,000
Separate from the daytime treasures exhibition, with visitors cleared in between; you cannot stay on from one to the other
Hours
Opening hours
Autumn temple treasures exhibition (11/11–12/6)9:00–16:00 entry
Gates close at 17:00
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Autumn temple treasures exhibitionGeneral ¥1,500, university and vocational school students ¥1,000, junior high and high school students ¥800
Groups: general ¥1,300
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The daytime treasures exhibition and the evening illumination are charged separately and visitors are cleared in between. To see both, you need to leave once
- ✓You will go inside the halls, so shoes that are easy to take off and put on are recommended
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Nanzenji/Eikando-michi (city bus stop)About 3 min walkRoute 5 and others
- Keage Station (Subway Tozai Line)About 15 min walk
- By car & parking
- Private cars and tour buses are not allowed in during the season. Use public transportation
- Getting back
- Nanzenji Temple is within walking distance, and many people visit both
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- Lines tend to form at the entrance on weekends at the peak and right after the illumination begins
- Quieter times
- Weekday mornings, right after opening
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- November normals for Kyoto: high 17.3°C, low 8.4°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
- What to wear & bring
- Evening visits are much colder than daytime, so a coat, scarf and gloves are a good idea
Rules
Photography & visitor rules
- !Tripods and monopods are prohibited
- !No photography of cultural properties inside the halls
- !Selfie sticks are prohibited inside the halls, and should not be used outdoors when crowded
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Eikando (Zenrinji) TemplePR
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews2.4 km from center
PR9.1ホテルグレイスリー京都三条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda8,981 reviews2.6 km from center
PR9.2ソラリア西鉄ホテル京都プレミア 三条鴨川
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,988 reviews2.2 km from center
PR9.3ホテルフォルツァ京都四条河原町
★★★★Check rates on Agoda6,933 reviews3.0 km from center
PR9.3ピースホステル三条
★★Check rates on Agoda6,395 reviews2.8 km from center
PR8.7ホテル グランエムズ 京都
★★★Check rates on Agoda9,756 reviews2.5 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Kyoto City
February
MayAoi Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May
2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)
May–OctoberNoryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15
JulyGion Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)
AugustGozan Okuribi (Kyoto Five Mountains Bonfires)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on August 16 (from 20:00)
2027: Aug 16 (Mon)
OctoberJidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)
2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains
Attractions
Attractions in Kyoto City
AquariumKyoto Aquarium
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
An inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its exhibits explore Kyoto's waterside nature and how it connects, from the "Kyoto River" to the "Kyoto Sea." With a dolphin stadium and jellyfish displays, it's an easy stop between Kyoto sightseeing spots.
ZooKyoto City Zoo
Kansai ・ Okazaki, Kyoto
A city-run zoo inside Okazaki Park, home to Heian Shrine and several art museums. In its compact grounds you can see elephants, gorillas, and wild animals from Kyoto's forests. Admission is free for junior high students and younger, and just ¥750 for adults.
ExperienceNintendo Museum
Kansai ・ Uji
A museum in Uji, Kyoto, that displays Nintendo's products through the years and lets you play hands-on exhibits. Tickets are date- and time-specific and must be reserved in advance, through a monthly lottery or first-come, first-served sales of slots that open up. If you want to include it in your itinerary, applying from the lottery 3 months before your visit is the surest way.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkUZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
Kansai ・ Uzumasa
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a samurai-drama theme park that opened in 1975, reopened on March 28, 2026 as UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE after the first phase of its renewal. It is now an immersive park for adults built around the concept of wandering into Kyoto in the Edo period, with the second phase scheduled to open in spring 2027. It stays open until 21:00.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Kansai
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ShrineKitano Tenmangu Shrine Momiji-en
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
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TemplePeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-05