To-ji Temple Spring Illumination
2025-03-15 00:00 - 2025-04-13 23:59 (Asia/Tokyo)
Kyoto’s landmark, The five story pagoda at To-ji Temple is lit up with Cherry blossom. Easy access from JR Kyoto station.

“Fuji-zakura” , the weeping cherry tree, which is over 130 years old, and the five-storey pagoda are lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Many cherry trees will be lit up, including those around the Hyouryoke Pond.

To-ji Temple（東寺）

Address : 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access : 5-minute walk from Toji station on the Kintetsu kyoto line. 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto station

Lit-up : 18:30 to 21:30

Admission : 1000 yen

Official HP : 拝観のご案内｜東寺 – 世界遺産 真言宗総本山 教王護国寺 (toji.or.jp)

Kodai-ji Temple Special illumination in Spring
2025-03-14 00:00 - 2025-05-06 23:59
Kodai-ji Temple is associated with Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. During the spring night-time visit, a vivid light picture is projected onto the Hojo garden.

From mid-March to early May each year, Kodai-ji temple‘s stages are lit up with special illumination at night. Its beautiful gardens and weeping cherry trees create magical atmosphere.

Kodai-ji Temple（高台寺）

Address : 526 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0825

Access : 20-minute walk from Gion Shijo station on the Keihan main line.20-minute walk from Kawaramachi station on the Hankyu line.5-minute walk from Kyoto city bus stop Higashiyama-Yasui.

Lit-up : 17:00 to 22:00

Admission : 600 yen

Official HP : 夜の高台寺 – 高台寺 (kodaiji.com)

Entoku-in Spring illumination
2025-03-14 00:00 - 2025-04-16 23:59
Entoku-in is a sub-temple of Kodai-ji Temple, located along the Nene no michi street. The garden in the North Shoin, which is said to have been transferred from the front garden of the palace of Fushimi Castle, is illuminated to create shadows on the huge rocks, giving the garden a stately appearance.

Entoku-in（圓徳院）

Address : 530 Shimokawara-cho, Kodai-ji, Higashiyama-ku

Access : 15-minute walk from Gion-Shijo station on the Keihan main line.

Bus from Kyoto station : Kyoto city Bus No. 206 to Higashiyama Yasui Bus Stop, 5-minute walk from there.

Lit-up : 17:00 to 22:00

Admission : 500 yen

Official HP : Entoku-in Temple (kodaiji.com)

Daikaku-ji Autumn illumination/ Kyoto
2024-11-15 00:00 - 2024-12-01 23:59
Autumn color illumination is held at Daikaku-ji Temple in Arashiyama. The reflection of Shingyo Hoto pagoda and autumn leaves on the Osawa-no-ike pond’s surface are so beautiful and creates a fantastic atmosphere.

Daikaku-ji（大覚寺）

Address : 4 Saga-Osawa-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access : 15-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama station on the JR Sagano Line

Lit-up : 17:30 to 20:00

Admission : 900 yen

Kibune Autumn leaves lantern Festa/ Kyoto
2025-11-07 00:00 - 2025-11-24 23:59
Between Ichihara and Ninose station of Eizan Railway, A 20-minute ride from Demachiyanagi station takes you to “Maple tunnel”.

It is an area with many maple trees. From the train windows, you can see colorful leaves and they are lit up nightly. During the period Around Kibune Shrine is also lit up. In Kibune, the autumn leaves are at their best earlier than in the city center. Lanterns along the approach to the shrine are also lit, adding to the atmosphere.

Kibune Shrine（貴船神社）

Address : 601-1112 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Kuramakibunecho, 180

Admission : Free

Lit-up : sunset to 20:30

Train fare :1-day pass 1,000 yen (to fully enjoy tourists spots along the Eizan line, available at Demachiyanagi station): Demachiyanagi to Kibuneguchi 430 yen (One-way)

Shogunzuka Seiryuden Special Lit-up in Spring
2024-03-29 00:00 - 2024-04-07 23:59
Seiryuden, a large wooden structure on the mountaintop of Higashiyama, Kyoto offers spectacular panoramic views over the city of Kyoto below. In spring, visitors can enjoy a fantastic view of lit-up cherry blossom in the night.

Seiryuden（青龍殿）

Address : 28 Zushiokukachocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto, 607-8456

Access : Take a taxi (5-mins about 1,000 yen) from Keage station on the subway Tozai line

Bus : The Keihan bus(no.70) is in service on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, every day in November, and during consecutive holidays in April and May. You can take bus no.70 from Sanjo Keihan, Shijo Kawaramachi, Gojo Keihan, Gojozaka, Jingu-do, Keage

Admission : 500 yen

Lit-up : 17:00 to 21:30

Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
2024-03-08 00:00 - 2024-04-07 23:59
Within Nijo Castle‘s grounds, there are approximetaly 300 cherry trees of late blooming varieties in a cherry orchard. The special night illumination is on during the bloom.

Spring at Nijo Castle, where 300 cherry trees of about 50 varieties bloom. The castle and its buildings are fantastically lit up during the annual spring illumination, and various events are also held.

Nijo Castle（二条城）

Address : 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301

Access : 10-minute walk from Nijo station on the JR Sanin line

Lit-up : 18:00 – 22:00 (last entry time 21:00)

Admission : 2000 yen ( 1600 yen on weekdays)

Official HP : 二条城 世界遺産・元離宮二条城 (kyoto.lg.jp)

Autumnal Night Visit at Eikan-do Temple/ Kyoto
2025-11-15 00:00 - 2025-12-10 23:59
The tree colors of autumn are so prominent in Eikan-do Temple. There are some three thousand maples on the grounds, which are lit up at night in fall. The temple grounds are on a mountain slope, and one never tires of the expansive premises that can be enjoyed, going up and down the walkways.

Eikan-do（永観堂）

Address : Japan, 〒606-8445 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Sakyō-ku, Eikandōchō 48

Access : 15-minute walk from Keage station on the Kyoto subway Tozai line

Admission : 600 yen

Lit-up : 17:30 to 21:00

Shogunzuka Seiryuden Autumn color Lit up
2022-10-28 00:00 - 2022-12-04 23:59
The Shogunzuka mound, located on a top of Mt. Higashiyama, its two observatories offer you a spectacular night view of the entire city of Kyoto below with the red leaves lit up.

Shogunzuka（将軍塚）

Address : 28 Zushiokukachocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto, 607-8456

Lit-up : 17:00 to 21:30

Admission : 500 yen

Byodo-in Temple Special Night Visit
2022-03-26 08:00 - 17:00
Byodo-in Temple in Uji, The Phoenix Hall, well known as its feature on the 10 yen coin and the beautiful garden will be lit up to create fantastic atmosphere with cherry blossoms and the image reflected in the pond.

Byodo-in（平等院）

Address : Japan, 〒611-0021 Kyōto-fu, Uji-shi, Uji, Renge−116

Access : 10-15 minute walk from Uji station on the Keihan Uji line or JR Nara line

Himeji Castle Cherry blossom Night Viewing
2022-03-19 08:00 - 17:00
Himeji Castle Cherry blossom Night Viewing “Yozakura-kai”, The scenery of the striking white castle and the cherry trees is truly beautiful.

Himeji Castle（姫路城）

Address : 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012

Access : 15mins walk from JR Himeji station on JR Sanyo line.

Hours : 09:00 to 17:00

Admission : 1000 yen (Kokoen garden 300 yen)

Shoren-in Temple Special Spring Night Visits
2022-03-19 08:00 - 17:00
Shoren-in Temple’s beautiful gardens make a mysterious atmosphere at night. Visitors can enjoy strolling the path along 4 beautiful gardens, and all the wooden buildings are nicely lit up.

Shoren-in（青蓮院）

Address : 69-1 Awadaguchi Sanjobocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0035

Access : 5-minute walk from Higashiyama station on the subway Tozai line

Bus : Kyoto City bus No. 5, 46, and 100 to Jingu-michi bus stop

Hours : 9:00 to 17:00

Admission : 500 yen

Osaka Expo Park "Sakura" Festival
2022-03-19 08:00 - 17:00
Expo park is well-known as a place for viewing cherry blossoms, featuring around 5000 cherry trees. During the cherry blossoms season, the park holds special sakura festival events, which included a large open air craft market, food stalls and live performances. The park also illuminates many of the trees.

Osaka Expo Park（万博記念公園）

Address : 1-1 Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka Prefecture 565-0826

Access : 5-minute walk from Banpaku-kinen koen station on the Osaka mono-rail

Hours : 9:30 to 17:00 ( Fri, Sat, Sun till 21:00 for illumination)

Evening light up at Chion-in Temple/ Kyoto
2025-11-19 00:00 - 2025-12-07 23:59
Chion-in, The massive head temple of the Buddhist Jodo sect attracts autumn color viewers by illuminating its temple grounds and its gardens.

photo by Marufish@flickr

Chion-in Temple（知恩院）

Address : 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access : 10-minute walk from Higashiyama station on the Kyoto subway Tozai-line, or Bus No.10 from JR Kyoto Station to Chion-in-mae Bus Stop.

Admission : 800 yen

Lit-up : 17:30 to 21:30
