Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple is hosting a special light-up this autumn

A few times a year, the breathtaking Kiyozumi-dera Temple that overlooks Kyoto city hosts special nighttime visits, where the temple’s structures and surrounding foliage are illuminated for a mesmerising display. The Buddhist temple, which is over 1,200 years old, is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site known collectively as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

The temple’s seasonal light-up events occur every spring, summer and autumn. The annual autumn illumination in 2025 is scheduled to run for just 16 days from November 22 to December 7. While Kiyomizu-dera usually opens from 6am and closes at 6pm, it will extend its hours until 9.30pm (last entry 9pm) for the duration of the event, so visitors will have more time to appreciate the beauty of the temple and its scenery after dark.

In addition to the illumination across the temple grounds and Jojuin garden, Kiyozumi-dera will also shine a bright blue beam into the night sky to symbolise the compassion of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy enshrined at the temple.

There is a general admission fee of ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for junior high and elementary school students.

For more autumn leaves illuminations at Kyoto temples and gardens, read our latest feature here. And if you’re looking for unique autumn experiences in Kyoto, check out this momiji tunnel train and this gorgeous autumn foliage reflection.

This article was originally published on September 22 2022 and updated on November 18 2025.