Highlights
- Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun), 2026; entry 5:30–8:30 pm, gates close 9 pm
- ¥1,000 for junior-high age and up; same-day tickets only, no advance sales
- At night: Amida-do hall and the garden. Separate session from the daytime exhibition (from Nov 11)
- A historic temple known as 'Eikando in Maple Leaves'
Background & story
Eikando has been famed for its autumn maples since the Heian period, earning the saying 'Maples of Eikando.'
Eikando (Zenrin-ji) in Kyoto lights up its autumn maples from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, December 6, 2026. Entry is 5:30–8:30 p.m. (gates close at 9:00 p.m.) and admission is ¥1,000 for junior-high-school age and up. There are no advance tickets: you buy your ticket at the temple on the day, and it is valid that day only. The daytime Autumn Exhibition starts earlier, on Wednesday, November 11, and also ends on December 6. Day and night are separate sessions, so you cannot stay on from the daytime visit into the light-up. All of this is from Eikando's official visitor guide (Japanese and English) and its 2026 exhibition page (checked 2026-10-14).
Quick facts (2026)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Night light-up | November 20 (Fri) – December 6 (Sun), 2026 |
| Entry hours | 5:30–8:30 p.m. (gates close 9:00 p.m.). The temple may stop admitting visitors earlier when crowded |
| Admission | ¥1,000, junior-high-school age and up (no group rate) |
| What you can see | Amida-do hall and the garden |
| Tickets | No advance tickets. Buy at the temple on the day; valid that day only |
| Venue | Eikando Zenrin-ji, 48 Eikando-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto |
| Cars | No parking for cars, motorcycles or e-scooters during the period |
| Official info | Guide to Eikando (English) / 2026 Autumn Exhibition page |
Daytime exhibition vs. night light-up
| Autumn Exhibition (day) | Night light-up | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Nov 11 (Wed) – Dec 6 (Sun) | Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) |
| Entry | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (gates close 5:00 p.m.) | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (gates close 9:00 p.m.) |
| Open to visitors | Temple halls, garden and the special exhibition | Amida-do hall and the garden |
| Admission | Adults ¥1,500 (groups of 30+: ¥1,300), university students ¥1,000, high-school and junior-high students ¥800 | ¥1,000, junior-high age and up |
- Separate sessions: the night ticket is different from the day ticket, and all daytime visitors must leave the precincts by 5:00 p.m.
- The exhibition shows Important Cultural Properties such as the Descent of the Twenty-five Bodhisattvas, the Painting of the Ten Realms and the Legend of the Taima Mandala.
- From November 11 to December 6 the Garyu-ro corridor and Senbutsu-do are closed; the Taho-to pagoda may close in crowds or bad weather.
- Fees above are from the official visitor guide's fee table. Some image captions on the exhibition page show different amounts, so double-check the daytime fee at the ticket window (checked 2026-10-14).
Getting there — no driving during the season
- From Kyoto, Sanjo or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station: City Bus No. 5 to "Nanzenji-Eikando-michi", then a 3-minute walk.
- From Jingu-Marutamachi Station: City Bus No. 204 or 93 to "Higashi Tenno-cho", then an 8-minute walk.
- Subway: Tozai Line to Keage Station, then a 15-minute walk.
- By car: during the exhibition and light-up there is no parking for private cars, motorcycles or e-scooters; tour buses cannot enter the precincts. The public Okazaki Park car park is about a 20-minute walk away (official Japanese guide).
Photos and etiquette
- No tripods or monopods anywhere in the precincts. No selfie sticks inside the halls, and please don't use them in crowded areas.
- No photos or video inside the halls (the garden is fine). No food, drink, smoking or pets in the precincts.
- Bring your own shoe bag — the temple asks visitors to cut plastic waste.
- During the light-up, a pre-written goshuin (temple seal) is sold at the ticket booth for ¥500.
Crowds
The temple expects very large crowds during the exhibition, especially in the second half of November, and says it may close the entry desk earlier than scheduled. If you're going at night, don't count on the 8:30 p.m. cut-off — arrive early. To compare Eikando with other autumn spots, see our Autumn Leaves & Illuminations Guide.
Checked against Eikando's official information on 2026-10-14. Early closing of the entry desk and in-temple restrictions can change on the day — confirm on the official visitor guide before you go.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- City Bus No. 5 to Nanzenji-Eikando-michi, 3-min walk (from Kyoto, Sanjo or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Stn) / City Bus No. 204 or 93 to Higashi Tenno-cho, 8-min walk (from Jingu-Marutamachi Stn) / Tozai Line Keage Stn, 15-min walk. No parking for cars, motorcycles or e-scooters during the season Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Night light-up ¥1,000 (junior-high age and up; no group rate; same-day tickets only). Daytime exhibition: adults ¥1,500 (groups of 30+: ¥1,300), university students ¥1,000, high-school/junior-high students ¥800 (official, checked 2026-10-14). Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, date night
Good to know
2026 light-up: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun), entry 5:30–8:30 pm (gates close 9 pm), ¥1,000 for junior-high age and up. No advance tickets — buy at the window on the day (valid that day only). Day (exhibition) and night are separate sessions: daytime visitors must leave by 5 pm. The temple expects huge crowds in late November and may close entry early, so arrive early. No parking during the season — take City Bus No. 5 to Nanzenji-Eikando-michi or walk from Keage Station. No tripods or monopods; bring a shoe bag. A pre-written goshuin (¥500) is sold at the ticket booth during the light-up (checked 2026-10-14).
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Eikando light-up in 2026?
- The night light-up runs from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, December 6, 2026. The daytime Autumn Exhibition runs from Wednesday, November 11 to December 6. Both are listed in Eikando's official visitor guide and 2026 exhibition page (checked 2026-10-14).
- What time does the light-up open and close?
- Entry is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the gates close at 9:00 p.m. The temple expects very large crowds, especially in the second half of November, and may stop admitting visitors earlier than scheduled — so arrive early rather than near 8:30.
- How much is admission for the light-up?
- ¥1,000 for junior-high-school age and up, with no group rate. At night you can see the Amida-do hall and the garden. The daytime exhibition is priced separately: adults ¥1,500 (groups of 30+: ¥1,300), university students ¥1,000, high-school and junior-high students ¥800 (official fee table, checked 2026-10-14). The table does not list a night fee for younger children — ask at the ticket window.
- Can I buy tickets in advance or book online?
- No. Eikando says advance tickets for the daytime and night time are not available: you buy your ticket at the temple on the day of your visit, and it is valid that day only (checked 2026-10-14).
- Can I stay from the daytime visit into the light-up?
- No. The night ticket is different from the day ticket, and all daytime visitors must leave the precincts by 5:00 p.m. Buy a separate night ticket at the window.
- How do I get there, and is there parking?
- Take City Bus No. 5 from Kyoto, Sanjo or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station to "Nanzenji-Eikando-michi" (3-minute walk), or walk 15 minutes from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line. During the exhibition and light-up there is no parking for cars, motorcycles or e-scooters; use public transport.
Getting there
Eikando (Zenrin-ji Temple), Kyoto — 48 Eikando-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto