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
Kodaiji Temple
Kyoto CityTemple🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Late Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A temple associated with Kita-no-Mandokoro (Nene), the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, known for the autumn leaves in its garden backed by the Higashiyama hills. In autumn a special evening opening runs for a long period.
- Address
- 526 Kodaiji Shimokawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Official website
- https://www.kodaiji.com/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookKiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji & Yasaka Shrine Walking TourAbout 3-hour walk with an English-speaking guide through Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. Small-group or privateView on Klook- PRKlookWalking Tour of Eastern Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu, Kodai-ji & GionFull-day walking tour from Kyoto Station with an English-speaking guide to Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Gion and Nishiki MarketView 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 10/23 (Fri)–12/13 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The highlight is the pond-stroll garden centered on the Kaisando hall, with two ponds, Engetsu-chi and Garyu-chi. At night the garden is illuminated, and projection mapping is shown in the garden in front of the Hojo.
📷 Best views
Garyu-chi Pond
A pond extending from the Kaisando hall, with autumn leaves reflected on the water
Engetsu-chi Pond
A pond with a moon-viewing platform associated with Hideyoshi, keeping the feel of the Momoyama period
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- October 23 (Fri)–December 13 (Sun), 2026
- Hours
- Lights on 17:00, gates close 22:00 (last entry 21:30)
- Admission
- Adults ¥800, junior high and high school students ¥400
Includes projection mapping
Hours
Opening hours
Regular9:00–17:30
Entry ends 17:00
Autumn special evening opening (10/23–12/13)Lights on 17:00, gates close 22:00
Last entry 21:30
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
AdmissionAdults ¥800, junior high and high school students ¥400
Elementary school students and younger free when accompanied by a guardian
Kodaiji and Entokuin combined ticket¥1,200
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The special evening opening runs until 22:00, so you can also visit after dinner
- ✓Showing a disability certificate gives free entry for the holder and one companion
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Higashiyama Yasui (city bus stop)About 7 min walkRoutes 206 and 207
- Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Main Line)About 10 min
- From major stations & airports
- Kyoto Station: Taxi (About 15 min)
- By car & parking
- Paid parking available (¥600 for up to 1 hour, then ¥300 per 30 min)
- Getting back
- Within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Yasaka Pagoda
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- From evening on weekends at the peak, crowds build from Nene-no-Michi and around Ninenzaka
- Quieter times
- Weekday mornings, or late in the evening 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 Kodaiji 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 reviews2.8 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 reviews2.9 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 reviews2.5 km from center
PR9.2Hotel The M's Kyoto
★★★Check rates on Agoda12,823 reviews2.7 km from center
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews1.3 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 reviews2.0 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