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
Hogon-in Temple (Arashiyama)
Arashiyama, KyotoTemple🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A sub-temple of Tenryuji in Arashiyama, open to the public only during its spring and autumn special openings. It is known for the autumn leaves in Shishiku-no-Niwa, a garden that borrows Arashiyama as its backdrop.
- Address
- 36 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed
- Not open to visitors outside the special opening periods
- Official website
- https://hogonin.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
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 & eventsNow on
In 2026 the autumn special opening runs 10/3 (Sat)–12/6 (Sun) and the special evening opening 11/13 (Fri)–12/6 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The highlight is Shishiku-no-Niwa, a stroll-style landscape garden created by the Muromachi-period Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo. The contrast of moss and maples is beautiful, and in autumn there is also a special opening of the main hall and special evening openings.
📷 Best views
Shishiku-no-Niwa
A stroll-style landscape garden borrowing Arashiyama as its backdrop. Autumn leaves stand out against the moss
Main hall
Houses the sliding-door paintings Fuga Sansan Sanzan Jizai by Tamura Noriko (separate donation fee)
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- November 13 (Fri)–December 6 (Sun), 2026
- Hours
- 17:30–20:30 (entry ends 20:00)
- Admission
- ¥1,000
Day and evening visitors are cleared in between; you cannot stay from day into evening
Hours
Opening hours
Autumn special opening (10/3–12/6)9:00–17:00 (gates close)
Entry until 16:45
Special evening opening (11/13–12/6)17:30–20:30
Entry ends 20:00
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
GardenAdults ¥700, elementary and junior high school students ¥300
Hogon-in and Kogenji combined discount ticket¥1,000
Special opening of the main hallSeparate donation fee
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Day and evening visits are separate, so seeing both requires paying admission for each
- ✓Conveniently located for combining with Tenryuji Temple and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove path
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line)About 10 min walk
- Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae (city bus stop)About 5 min walkRoute 28
- Getting back
- Stations around Arashiyama get crowded in the evening at the peak, so decide in advance whether to return by Randen, JR or Hankyu
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On weekends at the peak, all of Arashiyama is extremely crowded and even the streets around Togetsukyo Bridge are hard to walk
- 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
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Hogon-in Temple (Arashiyama)PR
PR9.0京都 嵐山温泉 花伝抄 -共立リゾート
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,247 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.7京都市宇多野ユースホステル
★★Check rates on Agoda1,332 reviews2.7 km from center
PR8.9渡月亭
★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,115 reviews0.5 km from center
PR8.7京都 嵐山 ご清遊の宿らんざん
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda1,158 reviews0.1 km from center
PR9.3ホーム・ステイ・椛 嵐山 京都 by バンヤン・グループ
★★★★Check rates on Agoda513 reviews0.9 km from center
PR8.5リバーサイド嵐山
★★★Check rates on Agoda906 reviews0.7 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
Park🍁 Typical peak
Temple
Temple
Park
Shrine
Temple
Temple
Temple
Temple
Temple
ShrineKitano Tenmangu Shrine Momiji-en
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
Temple
Temple
Park
Temple
Shrine
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
