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
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kyoto CityTemple🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A World Heritage temple famous for the “Kiyomizu Stage,” where in autumn the autumn leaves spreading below the stage are the highlight. During the autumn leaves season a special evening opening lets you enjoy the grounds at night too.
- Address
- 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862
- Official website
- https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookKyoto Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera & Uji Day Tour (from Osaka/Kyoto)Bus tour from Osaka or Kyoto with an English or Chinese-speaking guide to Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera with Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Yasaka Koshin-do, and Byodo-in and the Uji RiverView on Klook- PRKlookKyoto Higashiyama Half-Day E-Bike Tour with UNESCO SitesSmall-group e-bike tour with an English-speaking guide to Chion-in, Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. Admission to Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji is includedView on Klook
- PRKlookKyoto & Nara Small-Group Day Tour (from Osaka/Kyoto)Small-group day trip by van from Osaka or Kyoto to Kiyomizu-dera and its old streets, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Nara Park. Optional hotel pickup in OsakaView 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
The 2026 autumn special evening opening runs 11/21–11/30 (no reservation needed)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The classic views are the autumn leaves filling the valley, seen from the stage of the National Treasure main hall, and the view from the Koyasu Pagoda on the opposite side. During the special evening opening, a blue light representing the compassion of Kannon shines into the night sky.
📷 Best views
Kiyomizu Stage
From the main hall’s stage, take in the autumn leaves filling the valley and the city of Kyoto
Toward the Koyasu Pagoda
A classic photo spot where you see the autumn leaves and the stage together across the valley
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- November 21–November 30, 2026
- Hours
- Open until 21:30 (entry ends 21:00)
No reservation needed
Hours
Opening hours
RegularOpens 6:00
Closing time varies by season and event
Autumn special evening opening (11/21–11/30)Open until 21:30
Entry ends 21:00
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The gates open at 6:00, so an early-morning visit lets you see the autumn leaves in relative calm
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Gojozaka (city bus stop)About 10 min walkRoutes 206 and 100 from Kyoto Station
- Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Keihan Main Line)About 25 min walk
- From major stations & airports
- Kyoto Station: City bus route 206 or 100 to Gojozaka
- By car & parking
- No parking at the temple. There are municipal and other parking lots nearby, but public transportation is recommended
- Getting back
- The Gojozaka bus stop gets crowded from evening at the peak, so walking to Kiyomizu-Gojo Station is also an option
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On weekends at the peak and during the special evening opening, crowds start on the sloping approach
- Quieter times
- Weekdays early in the morning (opens 6:00)
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
- !No photography with tripods, and no wedding, cosplay or model photo shoots
Facilities
Facilities
- Toilets
- Available in the grounds (including several accessible toilets)
- Accessibility
- Vehicles can drive up, and a step-free route from near the main hall lets you tour the grounds
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Kiyomizu-dera TemplePR
PR9.4リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都駅前
★★★★Check rates on Agoda12,427 reviews2.9 km from center
PR9.1サクラテラス ザ・ギャラリー【大人専用】
★★★★Check rates on Agoda16,720 reviews2.8 km from center
PR9.2リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都四条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda15,007 reviews3.0 km from center
PR9.2Hotel The M's Kyoto
★★★Check rates on Agoda12,823 reviews2.6 km from center
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews2.0 km from center
PR9.2京王プレリアホテル 京都烏丸五条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,583 reviews2.4 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
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