Enjoy Kyoto at night! 10 amazing view spots and illuminations
Kyoto is a popular tourist destination in Japan. You can experience Japanese culture through attractions like Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Maiko (apprentice geisha). The Japanese culture and streetscapes visible throughout the city create an elegant atmosphere that can't be seen in other cities, making it popular among foreign visitors.
Kyoto, as the former capital, is also attractive for its numerous shrines and temples, and deep history. As a result, each shrine and temple has many festivals associated with its long history, which have been passed down to this day. From traditional festivals to modern illuminations, a wide range of events are held.
This time, we'll thoroughly introduce the highlights of Kyoto at night, from events worth visiting during your trip to Japan to annual light-up events!
If you are interested in Kyoto's Attraction at Night, check the article below! I summarized Kyoto's Attraction at Night I recommend and how I felt each Spots.
Kyoto from spring to autumn: Fantastical light-ups are the highlight
From spring to autumn, Kyoto's nighttime fantastical light-ups are the highlight. The collaboration between Kyoto's historical buildings like shrines and temples and seasonal plants unique to Japan allows you to enjoy a different atmosphere from the daytime scenery.
Every year, the night cherry blossoms in spring and night autumn leaves are illuminated fantastically, captivating many people. For cherry blossoms, it's also interesting to compare different varieties like Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees. Many people enjoy visiting several famous spots.
Another attractive point of Kyoto is that you can enjoy illuminations in conjunction with festivals held at many shrines and temples. Here, we'll introduce famous places and events that color Kyoto's nights, from historical to modern light-ups.
5 events where you can see beautiful illuminations adorning Kyoto's streets
NAKED Summer Festival 2024 at World Heritage Site Nijo Castle
source：Official website
Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a spot worth visiting in Kyoto. Built in 1603 by the famous Japanese warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu, it later became the place where Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned political power to the Emperor in the "Taisei Hokan" ceremony at Ninomaru Palace, marking the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate that lasted over 200 years.
The famous wall paintings here are designated as National Treasures. There are numerous Important Cultural Properties within the castle, and the sculptures and architecture are impressive. You can also enjoy the garden culture and seasonal plants on the grounds.
I highly recommend visiting during the "Summer Festival," which only happens in summer. The castle grounds adorned with light art such as projection mapping are breathtakingly beautiful, quite different from the daytime scenery. It will surely become an unforgettable memory for travelers. You can experience Japanese seasonal traditions like festival stalls and Kyoto shaved ice using matcha from the long-established Fukujuen.
Period: July 26 (Fri) - August 25 (Sun), 2024
Time: 18:30 - 22:00 (Last entry 21:20)
Admission fee / Tickets required.
Details here
If you are interested in Nijo Castle, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Kitano Tanabata Festival
source：Kyo-No-Tanabata
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who is considered the god of learning, is beloved by many. This shrine holds one of Kyoto's representative Tanabata festivals in August.
"Tanabata" is a unique Japanese annual event that blends customs from China with Japanese traditions. Tanabata has a story where Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet only once a year across the Milky Way, and it originates from the Chinese Qixi Festival. There's a custom of writing wishes on strips of paper and hanging them on bamboo branches.
The Tanabata festival at Kitano Tenmangu features ancient Shinto rituals and attracts many visitors every year. There's a strong connection between Orihime, the protagonist of the story, and the Nishijin area, famous for its textile production, which has led to deep-rooted beliefs. At Kitano Tenmangu, beautiful Tanabata decorations are used to pray for abundant harvests and good health.
At night, the beautifully lit-up shrine grounds make even Japanese people feel nostalgic. Enjoy this fantastical space that lets you experience Kyoto's summer and history while immersing yourself in ancient Japanese customs.
Period: August 2 (Fri) - August 18 (Sun), 2024
Time: 9:00 - 20:00 (Last entry 19:40)
Fee: 500 yen for Ashitsuke Tomyo ritual (includes Temizuya candle)
1,000 yen for Ishino-ma Torinuke ritual
Details here
Yasaka Shrine Gion Shrine Moon Viewing Festival
source：THE KYOTO
Yasaka Shrine, famous for the Gion Festival (one of Kyoto's three major festivals), has a long history. The ritual for warding off epidemics and praying for good health has its origins over 1,000 years ago. The elegant Gion-style buildings are designated as National Treasures.
My recommendation is the "Gion Shrine Moon Viewing Festival" held on the day of the harvest moon. The custom of viewing the moon and composing waka poems on this day, considered the most beautiful moon of the year, began in the Heian period.
At this festival, traditional Japanese waka poems are recited, and there are dedications of orchestral music, court music and dance, koto music, and taiko drums. The gentle sounds echoing through the shrine grounds will captivate your heart amidst the flickering lanterns.
Enjoy the elegant Kyoto adorned with Japanese history and culture different from modern times, and try to feel the "Japanese spirit" while gazing at the beautiful moon.
Date: September 17 (Tue), 2024
Time: Festival starts at 19:00
Fee: Free
Details here
Tanabata Bamboo Decoration Light-up (Kifune Shrine)
If you're visiting Kyoto in summer, I highly recommend Kifune Shrine. The colorful Tanabata decorations are lit up, offering a mystical and refined evening cool.
This shrine is famous for enshrining the god of water. Tanabata, which originates from the Chinese Qixi Festival celebrating autumn harvests, is deeply connected to this shrine. The Tanabata bamboo decorations carry the meaning of praying to the gods for favorable weather and appropriate water blessings this year too.
During the period, viewing hours are extended, allowing you to admire the Tanabata decorations displayed throughout the shrine grounds. There's a river nearby, so it's cool even in summer. Take a walk in nature while feeling the negative ions. The stone steps with red lanterns create a fantastical scene worth seeing.
The shrine is also famous as a power spot for love and relationships. There are also fortune slips available, so give them a try.
It's a shrine where you can enjoy the beauty of Tanabata decorations while feeling the summer atmosphere of Kyoto.
Period: July 1 (Mon) - August 15 (Thu), 2024
Time: Dusk - 20:00 *Amulet office reception until around 19:00
Fee: Free
Details here
If you are interested in Kibune Area, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Sagano Romantic Train Illumination
source：Walkerplus
The popular event that ranked first in Kyoto's illumination ranking is the "Sagano Romantic Train." You can enjoy the scenery from an open-air trolley train for about 25 minutes one-way from Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station.
The highlight is the spectacular view of the autumn leaves in the valley and the mountains on the opposite bank illuminated by lights installed along the railway. The illumination around Torokko Hozugawa is particularly fantastical, creating a dazzling autumn leaf scenery.
The "upside-down autumn leaves" near Asahi Tunnel is also a beautiful sight. You can enjoy seasonal landscapes throughout the year - cherry blossoms in spring, refreshing greenery and wind in summer, and sometimes snowy scenery of Arashiyama in winter. Among these, my recommendation is definitely the autumn leaf tunnel.
This year's event has ended, so look forward to the next event!
Period: October 14 (Sat) - December 29 (Fri), 2023
Time: Light-up time: From 16:30 until the last train
Fee: Paid - Trolley train fare: Adults 880 yen / Children 440 yen
Details here
If you are interested in Kyoto's Summer Attractions, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Kyoto's Summer as much as possible.
Annual events! Scenic spots to enjoy night cherry blossoms and night autumn leaves
Kodaiji Temple
source： Official website
Kodaiji Temple is one of the must-visit spots when touring Kyoto. It was founded by Nene, the wife of the Sengoku period warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for his soul after his death. The temple contains many buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, and you can view Japanese scenery like beautiful gardens and bamboo groves.
It's also popular among foreigners because you can experience traditional Japanese cultures like Zen meditation and tea ceremony.
The highlight is the special night viewing held from spring to autumn. In spring, the weeping cherry blossoms blooming in the Honshin Garden are famous, while in autumn, the maple leaves at Garyuchi Pond are the main attraction. In summer, the warm glow of lanterns is famous, giving a sense of Japanese atmosphere.
You can enjoy wonderful, atmospheric scenery in any season, but the autumn leaves are exceptional. The red maple leaves reflected in Garyuchi Pond are breathtaking and will surely become an unforgettable memory.
When I saw the illuminated autumn leaves and their reflections after sunset, I was moved to tears.
Address: 526 Shimokawara-cho, Kodaiji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Business hours: 9:00 - 17:30 (Last entry 17:00)
Light-up time: 17:00 - 22:00 (Last entry 21:30) *Only during special night viewing periods
Phone: 075-561-9966
Official website
Kiyomizudera Temple
source： Official website
Kiyomizudera Temple, a must-visit spot when touring Kyoto, is registered as a World Heritage Site. Kiyomizudera has about 1200 years of history and contains many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The view of the main hall and three-storied pagoda built on a cliff is truly representative of Japan. There's a saying, "jumping off the stage at Kiyomizu," which means making a bold decision, and this saying originates from this temple.
I recommend the "Otowa Waterfall," a power spot said to have never run dry, and the seasonal scenery with its illuminations. In spring, about 1500 cherry trees bloom. In summer, illuminations are set up for the "Sennichi Mairi" pilgrimage, and special viewing of the inner sanctum of the main hall is allowed. And in autumn, about 1000 maple trees and their illuminated leaves create a breathtaking scene that purifies both body and soul.
Engrave the seasonal scenery in your heart in your own way of enjoyment. My recommendation is the "autumn leaf light-up" at night in autumn. You'll surely be captivated by the 1000 maple trees.
Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Business hours: 6:00 - 18:00 (Closes at 18:30 in July and August)
Special night viewing periods
Spring: March 23 - March 31, 2024
Summer: August 14 - 16, 2024
Autumn: November 18 - 30, 2024
Closes at 21:30 (Last entry 21:00)
Phone: 075-551-1234
Official website
If you are interested in Kiyomizu Dera Temple, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Maruyama Park
If you're visiting Kyoto during cherry blossom season, I recommend Maruyama Park. It's the oldest park in the city and is beloved by locals as a place of relaxation. The weeping cherry tree in the center of the park is its symbol and captivates many people every spring. In fact, visitors in spring are mesmerized by the sight of the 12-meter-tall weeping cherry tree in full bloom.
Hundreds of cherry trees bloom in the vast 8600㎡ grounds. A point to note is that you can leisurely view the atmospheric cherry blossoms from various angles thanks to the walking paths and benches. The night cherry blossoms illuminated after sunset are also a magnificent sight.
Why not try exploring the nearby area, which includes Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art? Take a casual stroll and feel the traditional Japanese culture.
Address: Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Business hours: 24 hours
Light-up time: March 23 - April 7, 2024, from sunset to around 22:00
Phone: 075-561-1778
Official website
Overlooking Kyoto! 2 night view spots to enjoy the cityscape
Nidec Kyoto Tower
source：Kyotopicture.com
A recommended night view spot to enjoy the Kyoto cityscape is Nidec Kyoto Tower, a symbol of Kyoto. It was built in 1964 with the motif of a lighthouse illuminating Kyoto, which is likened to the sea.
Since Kyoto City has no tall buildings except around the station area, you can enjoy a 360° view of tourist spots like Kiyomizudera Temple and Mt. Hiei, as well as nature from the observation deck. It's fun to look at the places you've actually visited and the roads you've traveled.
At night, it's illuminated in various color variations for awareness campaigns and personal reasons, so enjoy the different beauties each time.
Address: 721-1 Higashi-Shiokoji-cho, Karasuma-dori Shichijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City
Observation deck hours: 10:00 - 21:00 (Last entry 20:30)
*Souvenir corner hours: 10:00 - 20:30
Phone (for inquiries): 075-361-3215 (Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00)
Official website
Shogunzuka Seiryuden Obutai
source：Yakei.jp
A relatively new Kyoto tourist attraction is Shogunzuka Seiryuden Obutai. Completed in 2014, Seiryuden enshrines the National Treasure Blue Fudo Myo-o. Located 200m higher than the city area, you can overlook the entire Kyoto city from the large stage. At night, you can enjoy a different view from daytime Kyoto.
The seasonal plants in the garden in front of Seiryuden are also a highlight. Especially famous are the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves, with light-up events held. (Night special viewing is suspended until autumn 2024)
You'll surely be moved by the collaboration of Kyoto city and cherry blossoms or autumn leaves! As it's only accessible by car, it's recommended for those who want to enjoy the view and stroll leisurely with less crowding as a tourist spot.
Address: 28 Funaokamachi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City
Viewing hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Phone: 075-771-0390
Official website