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
Kifune Shrine
Kibune, KyotoShrine🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A shrine to the god of water in the mountains along the Kibune River, north of Kyoto city. In autumn an autumn leaves illumination is held along the main approach to the Hongu (main shrine).
- Address
- 180 Kurama Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
- Official website
- https://kifunejinja.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookKyoto Arashiyama, Kifune Shrine & Sanzen-in Small-Group Day Tour (from Osaka/Kyoto)Small-group day trip by car from Osaka or Kyoto to Sanzen-in, Kifune Shrine, Arashiyama with its bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. Plans with the Sagano Romantic Train are availableView 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
- PRKlookEizan Electric Railway 1-Day Pass Ee Kippu & Kurama Onsen SetUnlimited one-day rides on the Eizan line, exchanged at Demachiyanagi Station and handy for reaching Kibuneguchi Station. Includes bathing at Kurama OnsenView on Klook
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually mid-November
September
October
November
December
Being in the mountains, it tends to color a little earlier than the city. 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
The 2026 autumn leaves illumination runs 11/7 (Sat)–11/24 (Tue)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The highlight is the autumn leaves coloring the mountain shrine. During the illumination, the main approach to the Hongu is lit from sunset and can be seen free of charge.
📷 Best views
Main approach to the Hongu
The venue for the autumn leaves illumination. The view from dusk is the highlight
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- November 7 (Sat)–November 24 (Tue), 2026
- Hours
- Sunset–20:30
- Admission
- Free
Held along the main approach to the Hongu
Hours
Opening hours
Autumn leaves illumination (11/7–11/24)Sunset–20:30
Amulet office 9:00–20:00
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Autumn leaves illuminationFree
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Kibune is in the mountains away from central Kyoto, so allow extra travel time
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Kibune (Kyoto Bus stop)About 5 min walkRoute 33
- Kibuneguchi Station (Eizan Electric Railway)About 30 min walkThe bus is more convenient
- Getting back
- Buses to Kibuneguchi Station get crowded after the illumination, so allow plenty of time
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On weekends at the peak, buses from Kibuneguchi Station and the narrow roads of Kibune get crowded
- Quieter times
- Weekdays around midday
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- November normals for Kyoto: high 17.3°C, low 8.4°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Kibune is in the mountains and somewhat colder than the city
- What to wear & bring
- It is in the mountains and tends to be colder than the city, so bring a heavy jacket and gloves. Wear non-slip shoes for the stone steps
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
Temple
Temple
TempleHogon-in Temple (Arashiyama)
Kansai ・ Arashiyama, Kyoto
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov
✦ IlluminationNow on
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