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
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Momiji-en
Kyoto CityShrine🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Early Dec✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A maple garden open only in autumn, on the west side of the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu, the shrine to Sugawara no Michizane, god of learning. The autumn leaves spread along the Odoi, a historic earthen rampart built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
- Address
- Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8386
- Official website
- https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually mid-November to early December
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 Momiji-en is open 10/31 (Sat)–12/6 (Sun), with the illumination 11/13 (Fri)–12/6 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
About 350 maples grow along the Odoi and the Kamiya River, so you can view the autumn leaves from above and below. Highlights include a three-trunked maple over 400 years old and the vermilion Uguisu Bridge, and admission includes tea and a sweet.
📷 Best views
Uguisu Bridge
A vermilion bridge over the Kamiya River, surrounded by autumn leaves
Atop the Odoi
Look down on the maples with the National Treasure main sanctuary in view
Three-trunked maple
An old tree said to be over 400 years old
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- November 13 (Fri)–December 6 (Sun), 2026
- Hours
- Sunset–20:00 (last entry 19:40)
- Admission
- Adults (junior high school students and up) ¥1,500, children ¥700
Includes tea and a sweet
Hours
Opening hours
Momiji-en (10/31–12/6)9:00–16:00
Last entry 15:40
Illumination (11/13–12/6)Sunset–20:00
Last entry 19:40
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Momiji-enAdults (junior high school students and up) ¥1,500, children (elementary school students) ¥700
Preschoolers free. Includes tea and a sweet
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓You will walk around the garden, so wear comfortable walking shoes
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Kitano Tenmangu-mae (city bus stop)Right by the stop
- Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Randen)About 7 min walk
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- Crowded on weekends at the peak and during the illumination
- Quieter times
- Weekdays, 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 may not be used for photography in the garden
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Momiji-enPR
PR9.1ザ ロイヤルパーク キャンバス 京都二条
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PR8.9京都ブライトン ホテル
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,287 reviews2.1 km from center
PR8.5アーバンホテル京都二条プレミアム
★★★Check rates on Agoda5,039 reviews1.9 km from center
PR8.9ファーストキャビン 京都二条城
★★Check rates on Agoda2,557 reviews2.2 km from center
PR8.3エムズホテル 三条大宮
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,317 reviews2.8 km from center
PR8.6ザ エディスターホテル京都二条 Comic&Books
★★★Check rates on Agoda2,879 reviews2.8 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
TempleHogon-in Temple (Arashiyama)
Kansai ・ Arashiyama, Kyoto
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov
✦ IlluminationNow on
Temple
Temple
Temple
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