Kiyomizu-dera Temple Autumn Leaves — photo by lumoplank via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Kiyomizu-dera Temple Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed

清水寺の紅葉 — Kyoto (Kansai)

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Kiyomizu-dera's great wooden stage juts out over a hillside of about 1,000 maples, so in late November the temple appears to float on a cloud of red and orange with all of Kyoto spread out behind it. Leaves peak from late November to early December. The autumn night viewing — confirmed for November 21-30 in 2026 — lights the whole valley and fires a single blue beam of light (representing Kannon's mercy) across the city sky. No reservation is needed for night entry.

Background

Founded in 778, before Kyoto itself existed, Kiyomizu-dera predates the capital by 16 years. It belongs to the Kita-Hosso sect and centers on an eleven-headed Kannon. The famous stage and main hall, rebuilt in 1633 under shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, were assembled without a single nail. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getting there

From Kyoto Station, take City Bus 100 or 206 to the Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi stop (about 15 minutes), then walk 10 minutes uphill through the shop-lined approach. From the Keihan Line, Kiyomizu-Gojo Station is a 20-25 minute walk. There is no rail station nearby, so allow time for bus queues in season.

Tips

• Daytime crowds are enormous; go at the 6:00am opening for a near-empty stage, or accept the crush and come for the night illumination instead (gates close 9:30pm, last entry 9:00pm).
• Night viewing admission is ¥500 for adults — cheap by Kyoto illumination standards — and in most years you can stay through from late afternoon without being cleared out, but confirm the changeover policy that year.
• The classic photo of the stage over the maples is taken from the Okunoin hall just beyond the main hall — keep walking past the stage rather than fighting for space on it.
• Pair it with Kodai-ji, a 15-minute walk north through the preserved lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka; both run night illuminations, and Kodai-ji's runs later into December.

Maintained by Tetsu Yamamoto · Last verified against the official source: Sat, September 12, 2026