A new option for Kyoto autumn leaves night tours! The Golden Jewel Temple is specially open, lighting up Roishuien for the first time and reflecting the autumn leaves

2026.10.15

A new option for Kyoto autumn leaves night tours! The Golden Jewel Temple is specially open, lighting up Roishuien for the first time and reflecting the autumn leaves

During the maple blossom season in Kyoto, I want to avoid the overcrowded places, but I also want to see the temple gardens, historical buildings, and the nighttime lighting at once—that would be perfect.Kuroya Koro-no-kami TempleThe schedule of events. The temple will hold a special autumn visit from November 13 to December 6, 2026. During the day, the Great Hall and Purple Cloud Garden, which are not usually open to the public, will be open, and at night, the Yokocho Hall, the mountain gate, and the garden will be illuminated, and the Yokocho Hall will be opened for the first time to light up at night.

From Faran to the New Chosen Assembly: The Historical Significance of the Black Valley Monastery

Kinkai-kyōji Temple is often referred to as "Black Valley," and is an important temple of the Pure Land School of Buddhism. It is also the place where Daian first established his Shokushin-ji Temple. During the Meiji period, Matsudaira Yoshinobu, the lord of the Echizen Domain, established a base here, and the temple is also connected to the history of the New Chosen Society. Therefore, this is not just a place to see the autumn leaves; walking around the main hall, the Omokido Hall, and the cemetery, you can also feel the traces of the late-Meiji period history that are rarely seen in a temple in Kyoto.

During the day special worship sessions are open to the Great Hall, Myo-kai Hall, the Purple Cloud Garden, and the main gate. In the Great Hall you can see the “Tiger Among the Tigers,” where the number of tigers is changed by sliding the sliding doors; while in the Myo-kai Hall you can see the Bodhisattva of Enlightenment and the Kibi Goddess statue. If you want to see the sights and not have your itinerary too packed, you can reserve about 60 minutes for the daytime visit; plus, for the mountain gate view, we recommend 90 minutes.

The highlights of the nighttime lighting: the Purple Cloud Garden and the newly opened Royal Palace

Night visits begin at 17:30, making them the perfect time to add them to your autumn foliage tour of Okayama, Nanzenji Temple, or Heian Shrine. The purple clouds garden illuminated by the lights, with the autumn leaves reflected in the water, is the most memorable spot to visit at night. There are also three evenings of traditional Japanese music performances in the Myoji Hall each night, which can be enjoyed without needing to purchase additional tickets.

This year’s most anticipated event is the first public lighting of the Yeongseongwon Temple at night. This pagoda-temple is also known for its red leaves, and a combined ticket to both sites is available. To capture the red leaves reflected in the water, it is recommended to visit during the early dusk when the light and sky are still layered. Before using a tripod or large camera equipment, please follow the on-site instructions first.

How to choose day and night tickets?

The day-time access time is from 10:00 to 16:30, with the last admission at 16:00; the general ticket for the Myo-ji Hall, Great Hall, and the garden with the Katsuyama Gate is 1,600 yen for adults. The night access time is from 17:30 to 20:30, with the last admission at 20:00; the general ticket for the Myo-ji Hall, Great Hall, and the purple cloud garden is 1,000 yen for adults, and the general ticket for the Ryuo-in is 1,600 yen. If you only stay one night and the main attraction is the autumn leaves, the night general ticket is more efficient for the itinerary.

Travelers interested in the Sengoku period history can choose from guided walking tours held between November 14 and December 5. A guide will take you to the Omi-do Hall, Daikanji Hall, Zuyun Garden, the Main Gate, and the Yatsumi Cemetery, and you will have the opportunity to visit the halls of the Imperial Court. The fee is 2,600 yen, and a 1,600 yen common entrance ticket is required. The maximum number of participants is 20 per session. Reservations are recommended in advance.

Activity Information and Transportation

Event Name:Autumn Special Pilgrimage at Jinqiao Guangming Temple
Date:November 13th (Thursday) to December 6th (Sunday) 2026
Address:121, Hakuya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Traffic:Take the City Bus 5 system from JR Kyoto Station to Higashitennoumae Station, then walk about 10 minutes; or get off at Okazaki-dō Station and walk about 10 minutes.
Daytime:10:00 to 16:30, last admission at 16:00
At night:17:30 to 20:30, last admission at 20:00
Official Website:Jinqiao Guangming Temple

How to add it to your autumn trip to Kyoto?

Kinkai-kyōji Temple is located in the area around Okayama. It is a good choice for visiting on the same day as Dōgen-dō, Nanzanji Temple, Heian Shrine, or the Kyoto City Kyocera Art Museum. If you prefer history and gardens, you can visit Honzan Temple first and have dinner in Okayama before heading to the area. If you want to focus on photographing the autumn leaves at night, it is recommended to have dinner nearby in the late afternoon. After 17:30, you can directly enter the temple. The nights in late October in Kyoto are quite cold, so remember to bring a jacket and reserve time for transportation back to Kyoto Station or a hotel in Gion.