When I visited Kyoto, I saw the autumn leaves illuminated at two temples. One was Tenjyuan Temple and the other was Kiyomizu temple (清水寺).
Kiyomizu Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto, especially for first-time visitors. It’s a famous viewing spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As such, it is always crowded during business hours.
When I visited, it was the peak season for autumn leaves. I was a bit worried about the crowds, but fortunately, due to the rainy weather over the weekend, the temple wasn’t packed. Of course, there were still many people, but I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and take photos without difficulty.
The autumn light-up event at Kiyomizu Temple is held every November, and this year, it took place from November 12th to December 4th (5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.).
It’s easy to get there by bus from anywhere in Kyoto. The closest bus stop to Kiyomizu Temple is “Kiyomizu-michi (清水道).” Many people who get off at this stop are likely heading to the temple, so you can just follow the crowd without a map. 🙂
The temple, illuminated in the dark, is an impressive sight.
There’s a temporary ticket office for special nights like this.
The light-up is truly spectacular.
The three-storied pagoda is also beautifully lit.
The view from the Kiyomizu Stage (Kiyomizu no Butai) is breathtaking.
The night view of Kyoto is truly beautiful.
Strictly speaking, the peak season for autumn leaves had already passed, but the illuminated leaves were still stunning.
The view of the Kiyomizu Stage from below is also captivating.
From the bottom of three-storied pagoda.
From the bottom of Kiyomizu stage.
Finally, we made our way toward the exit.
When I left the temple, it was past 9 p.m., and most of the shops had already closed, so it was very calm.
A cherry blossom light-up show is held at Kiyomizu Temple, as well as the autumn leaves display. So, if you have a chance to visit Kyoto in April, be sure to visit there!
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Name Kiyomizu temple / Kiyomizudera (清水寺)
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