Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed
高台寺の紅葉 — Kyoto (Kansai)
Staying in Kyoto? See what else is on in Kyoto this season →
- Typical peak
- Nov 15 – Mon, November 30, 2026
- Venue
- Kodai-ji Temple, Higashiyama, Kyoto
- Illumination
- Yes — nighttime illumination during peak season
- Official site
- www.kodaiji.com
Kodai-ji pioneered the Kyoto temple illumination, and it still runs one of the best: maples around the Garyo-ike pond are lit so their reflection forms a perfect mirror image on windless nights, and a projection-mapping show plays across the raked sand of the Hojo garden. Leaves peak from mid-November to early December, but the night viewing runs far longer — typically late October to mid-December, from dusk until 10:00pm (entry until 9:30pm), the latest closing of any major Kyoto temple.
Background
Kodai-ji was founded in 1606 by Nene (Kita-no-Mandokoro), widow of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for his soul; Tokugawa Ieyasu financed its construction. A Rinzai Zen temple of the Kennin-ji school, it preserves lavish maki-e lacquer work and teahouses attributed to tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Getting there
From Kyoto Station, City Bus 206 to the Higashiyama-Yasui stop takes about 20 minutes; the temple is a 7-minute walk east up the slope. From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station it's a 15-minute walk through the Gion district. The stone-paved Nene-no-Michi lane runs along the temple's base.
Tips
- Admission is ¥600 — one of the cheapest tickets among Kyoto's illuminated temples — and includes the Sho-Museum; a combination ticket adds the affiliated Entoku-in across the lane, which has its own lit garden.
- The 10:00pm closing is your crowd-avoidance tool: arrive after 8:30pm when tour groups have left and the pond reflection is at its calmest.
- The mirror shot of Garyo-ike pond is taken from the path on its west side; hold your camera at the railing, as tripods are not permitted.
- Kodai-ji sits between Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, so the classic evening route is Kiyomizu at dusk, the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lanes after dark, then Kodai-ji's illumination last.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to see Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves?
- Autumn color at Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves typically peaks from Nov 15 – Nov 30. Exact timing shifts year to year with the weather, so check a real-time foliage forecast close to your trip.
- Where is Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves, and how do you get there?
- Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves is located at Kodai-ji Temple, Higashiyama, Kyoto in Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, City Bus 206 to the Higashiyama-Yasui stop takes about 20 minutes; the temple is a 7-minute walk east up the slope. From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station it's a 15-minute walk through the Gion district. The stone-paved Nene-no-Michi lane runs along the temple's base.
- Is there a nighttime illumination at Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves?
- Yes — Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves holds special evening illumination during peak leaf season. Hours and exact dates change every year, so confirm with the official site before you go.
- Is Kodai-ji Temple Autumn Leaves free to enter, or do I need tickets?
- Most autumn leaves spots in Japan are free to enter, though some temples and gardens charge a small admission fee — especially during peak-season night illuminations. Check the official site for this location's exact pricing.
Last verified against the official source: Sun, August 16, 2026
Plan your trip
- 🏨 Hotels near Kodai-ji Temple, Higashiyama, Kyoto — search is pre-filled with the festival dates
- 📱 Get a Japan eSIM (Airalo) — install before you fly, connect the moment you land, no SIM swap needed
Some links above are affiliate links — booking through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.