Japan Kyoto Night sightseeing route

If you want to immerse yourself in the moist and calm atmosphere unique to the ancient city, night is recommended. The streets seen under the moonlight, the mysterious cherry blossoms and autumn leaves at night. Not only can you see a different look from the daytime, but you can also see the charm of Kyoto that emerges when you are exposed to the night breeze and put yourself in the dark night. Sit down and enjoy yourself till night.

A beautiful ancient city that Japan is proud of, the graceful and glamorous night scenery unique to Kyoto is truly a spectacular view. We recommend sightseeing spots at night in Kyoto, such as shrines where you can enjoy an atmosphere different from daytime, and night view spots near Kyoto Station. Enjoy sightseeing with your loved ones in the gorgeous scenery such as cherry blossoms at night in spring and autumn leaves in autumn.

“Night sightseeing” is a place where you can experience not only famous sightseeing spots and events but also daily life that only Kyoto people know. We have recommended event information and sightseeing spot information at night. Please rediscover “Kyoto”.

Tourist destination at night
You can enjoy the spectacular night view of Kyoto and the night view illuminated by beautiful lights, soothing the scenery of Kyoto and wanting you to come and see it when you are calm.

Toji Five-storied Pagoda and Kyoto Tower
Toji Five-storied Pagoda to the south and Kyoto Tower to the north across Kyoto Station. It is a contrasting symbol of Kyoto that represents the present and the past of Kyoto. Looking at the two beautifully lit landscapes, it is the moment when the people of Kyoto realize that they are back. From the observation room of Kyoto Tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the night view of Kyoto city.

Kyoto tower
It’s also a commercial facility packed with sightseeing spots in Kyoto, so there are many ways to enjoy it! This is a recommended spot that you should definitely stop by when sightseeing in Kyoto. Looking down from 100 meters above the ground, the night view of Kyoto is exceptional, and the light shining along the grid that is peculiar to the cityscape of Kyoto is fantastic and romantic. There is “Tawawa-chan Shrine” on the 5th floor of the observatory, and many people take pictures with “Tawawa-chan”, the mascot character of Kyoto Tower.

Kyoto Station Building
View the night view of Kyoto Tower and Kyoto. This convenient building has many shops such as souvenir shops and restaurants. In fact, there are many things to see. Especially recommended is the “Great Staircase Graphical Illuminations”. The stairs, which are very large both vertically and horizontally, are lit up with seasonal designs, which makes the viewer excited.

In addition, there is a landing-like space at the top of the stairs, from which you can overlook the Kyoto Tower and the night view of Kyoto. In the night view of Kyoto, the white glowing Kyoto Tower is very beautiful, and it is a hidden spot to take a picture of Kyoto Tower.

The aerial route, which is located 45m above the ground under the dome-shaped ceiling of Kyoto Station, is an observatory spot that overlooks Kyoto Tower and the city of Kyoto. The west entrance can be accessed from Kyoto Ramen Koji on the 10th floor of the station building, and the east entrance can be accessed from the east square on the 7th floor. The length of the glass passage is 147m, and there are several lookout points along the way. It is a little-known night view spot with few visitors because it is difficult to understand how to access it.

Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu-dera The magnificent buildings enshrined in the vast precincts make it a sightseeing spot in Kyoto full of attractions. You can fully enjoy Kiyomizu-dera Temple at night, which is a special night visit held three times a year in spring, summer, and autumn.

A special spring visit, this is the night cherry blossoms at Kiyomizu Temple. In spring, a “special night visit” is held. It is a recommended sightseeing spot where you can feel the history and the cherry blossoms at night in a moist atmosphere at the same time.

It’s not just the autumn special visit, the spectacular view of Kiyomizu-dera, the recommended sightseeing spots in Kyoto, and the illumination of the precincts. A ray of blue light emitted from Kiyomizu Temple. This light that illuminates the cityscape represents Kannon’s mercy.

Fushimi-Inari Taisha
In the darkness, the tunnel of the vermilion torii, which is lit by a few lanterns, creates a unique atmosphere that is different from the daytime. There are only minimal lights in the precincts at night, including around the torii gate, so be careful when visiting.

Arashiyama Station
Arashiyama Station is a very nice sightseeing spot in Kyoto at night, especially at the “Kimono Forest” in the station, poles featuring Yuzen, a specialty of Kyoto, line up on both sides of the road and attract tourists. At night, Kyoto’s sightseeing spots are surrounded by a fantastic atmosphere. At night, “Kimono Forest” shines a gentle light, and the area is surrounded by a fantastic atmosphere, and the visitors are enchanted …

Going further back, there is “Ryu no Atago Pond”. It is said that if you put your hand in the water of this pond, it will fulfill your wishes and lead you to happiness, so please visit when you go sightseeing in Kyoto.

Gion
Night is recommended if you want to enjoy the sophisticated cityscape of Gion. The lanterns of the teahouses that line the eaves are lit, and the harmony between the cobblestone road and the Shirakawa flowing through Gion creates a unique atmosphere of Kyoto.

Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine, also known as “Gion-san,” is visited by many people for the benefit of marriage. Like Fushimi Inari Taisha, it is a shrine that can be visited 24 hours a day. At night, the lanterns hung around the Maiden are also lit, including the illumination of the West Tower Gate facing Higashioji Dori.

Hogon-in
The night illumination that makes the best use of the temple that Kyoto is proud of, a very quaint and quiet time is flowing, and just being there makes you feel at ease. The illumination at night also makes use of the atmosphere of the temple itself, making it a very warm space.

Around autumn, when special night visits are held, the autumn leaves are colored and you can enjoy a fantastic atmosphere. The world covered with colorful autumn leaves in the darkness of the night, bathed in orange light, warmly welcomes you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Takase River flowing through Kiyamachi
The Takase River at night illuminated by neon lights in the downtown area. When you hear the murmuring of the Takase River in the hustle and bustle of the city at night, you can feel the peace of mind and the history of water transportation in Kyoto.

The Takase River has a long history, and was created by Suminokura Ryoi in the early Edo period as a canal for carrying supplies that connect the center of Kyoto with Fushimi. At Ichino Hunairi, you can also see Takasebune, which was used for going back and forth at that time.

Hanamikoji Street
Hanamikoji Dori is a north-south road in the northwestern part of Higashiyama Ward that runs through the entertainment district of Gion, Kyoto. It leads to Sanjo-dori in the north and the famous Kennin-ji Temple in the south, and there are various shops such as cute teahouses, izakaya, and high-class restaurants on the side.

This alley street is bright in the daytime and is lively with many tourists. At night, the atmosphere changes completely. The faint lights of the store and the lights of the signboards are reflected in the alleys, creating an emotional atmosphere. You can also see Maiko and Geiko rushing to the tatami room. Hanamikoji-dori at night, which is lit up by the lights of the lanterns, has a different atmosphere from daytime, and you can enjoy it just by walking along the street.

Mikane Shrine
A small shrine in a residential area in the center of the city, close to Nijo Castle. The shiny gold leaf torii has a gorgeous feeling and is known as the “god of money” as the name suggests. When the sun goes down, the precincts, including the golden torii gate, are illuminated by lanterns, making it more golden than during the day! Hope for better luck, and let’s visit Mikane Shrine at night, which shines brighter than daytime.

Hokanji Temple
One of the most prominent figures in Hokanji is the Yasaka Tower, which is also a symbol mark. The Yasaka Tower, which is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku in 592, makes the viewer feel the weight of history. When lit up at dusk, beauty can now be found in dignity.

Sunset over Nishiyama and Hirosawa Pond
A fantastic landscape where the heavens and the earth are united, with the cirrocumulus clouds dyed red in the autumn sunset reflected on the surface of the pond. Hirosawa Pond, which is said to have been built in the middle of the Heian period, is a pond with a circumference of about 1.3 km, also known as “Henshoji Pond”, and is one of the three swamps in Japan. It has been known as the Tsukimi Pond since ancient times, and it is also the place where Saigyo Houshi, Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson, etc. wrote songs.

Ruriko-in
It is lit up at night, giving the illusion that a different time is flowing … A night that matches the beauty of nature with the Japanese space that is typical of Kyoto, with a wonderful view that is different from the daytime. An Instagram-worthy spot.

Kodaiji Temple
It is a quaint spot that is lit up at night and has a very quaint atmosphere. Enjoy the autumn leaves in autumn, the collaboration with white snow in winter, the cherry blossoms in spring, and the bamboo grove road lit up in summer.

Mantoroyama Observatory
Mt. Mantoro is a scenic spot with a good view of Kyoto and Nara, and the beauty of the scenery is registered as a landscape asset in Kyoto Prefecture. There is an observatory on the top of the mountain, and you can enjoy the panoramic view while sitting on the lawn.

Night festival

Spring night special visit
Speaking of spring in Kyoto, there are many beautiful cherry blossom spots in Kyoto at night, but the cherry blossoms that emerge in the faint light are fantastic and fascinating. Coupled with gardens and buildings that are different from the daytime, you will forget the time and be fascinated. Introducing special nighttime visits and shrines and temples that will be lit up this spring.

Gion night cherry blossoms (spring)
The Gion weeping cherry tree that rises in the center of Maruyama Park, east of Yasaka Shrine, is popular with many people as a symbol of the park. Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto City, which was built in 1886 (Meiji 19), and has been designated as a national scenic spot. You can enjoy about 700 cherry blossoms in the park, but when the Gion weeping cherry blossoms are lit up, the light pink flowers that bloom in full bloom emerge in the night sky, making you feel gorgeous.

Summer night special visit
To mourn the bodhi of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a special night visit is held every year from August 1st to August 18th, the anniversary of Hideyoshi’s death. The wish lantern “Eternal Light” lights up in various places in the precincts, and projection mapping is also performed in the Hojo front yard and Hashin garden.

Hyakki Yagyo Exhibition
Since ancient times in Japan, it has been thought that tools have souls as well as creatures, and Hyakki Yagyo wanders in a line in the dark night, when abandoned or old tools transform into monsters and youkai. Is called. Every year from July 15th to August 31st, this exhibition starts with the treasures in the Kodaiji temple collection and the “Hyakuki no Yakouzu” picture scroll from the Edo period.

Autumn night special visit
In the fall of Kyoto autumn leaves, there are many beautiful spots for autumn leaves in Kyoto, each of which creates a quaint scene. In particular, the autumn leaves, gardens, and buildings lit at night show a completely different face from the daytime, inviting you to a fantastic world.

In Kyoto, which is approaching autumn, special nighttime visits and autumn leaves are lit up in various parts of the city. Please take a look at the beautiful autumn leaves that are lit by the light. It gets very cold on autumn nights in Kyoto, so please wear warm clothes when you go out.

Arashiyama Hanatouro (winter)
“Kyoto Hanatouro” is a place where you can enjoy the natural scenery and historical cultural heritage of Kyoto with the lights of open-air lanterns and ikebana works under the theme of “lights” and “flowers”. Please enjoy the fantastic atmosphere illuminated by the faint lights while feeling the clear winter air! In addition, during the period, special visits, opening and illumination will be held at the surrounding shrines and temples (Jojakkoji, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryuji, Hogon-in, Horinji, Rakushisha). Furthermore, in the north area of ​​the venue (Nagagami no Mori, in front of Rakushisha), art works will be exhibited, and in the new spot Kameyama Park, trees and the monument of “Hyakunin Isshu” will be lit up, as well as large Yuzen pattern lanterns and light objects. Will also be exhibited.

The sights of Saga and Arashiyama, such as Togetsukyo Bridge and the small diameter of the bamboo grove, are lit up and invite you to a mysterious world. Furthermore, at Ogura Pond near Jojakkoji Temple, the faintly lit trees are reflected on the surface of the water, creating a fantastic landscape. In addition, special night visits and illuminations will be held at the temples and shrines (Hogon-in, Nonomiya Shrine, Jojakko-ji, Horin-ji) around Saga and Arashiyama. Please enjoy Saga-Arashiyama, which can only be seen at this time, in the dignified air unique to December after the bustle of autumn leaves has passed, and at night.

Bamboo forest path
Kyoto’s representative tourist attraction “Saga-Arashiyama” prospered as a villa for aristocrats during the Heian period. The bamboo grove alley leading from Nonomiya Shrine to Tenryuji North Gate and Okochi Sanso is lit up by graceful lanterns at the “Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro” held every December.

Ebisu Shrine Winter Toka Ebisu Festival
Ebisu Shrine is a god of business prosperity and family safety and is known as “Kyo no Ebe-san”. It will be held for 5 days with January 10th, which is said to be the day when Ebisu God was born, and during the period, auspicious bamboo grass will be awarded with a shout of “Bring a sasa for prosperous business”. The gate is open all night on the 9th and 10th, and many stalls are lined up in the vicinity including the precincts and it is crowded. At 20:00 on the 11th, Maiko will award Fukusasa and Fukumochi.

Nightlife

Museum night
During the opening hours of the night, you can enjoy the view slowly and enjoy a different atmosphere than usual. Why don’t you enjoy the night museum that you can stop by even after sightseeing during the daytime during the long autumn nights?

Zazen experience at Daijiin Temple
It is a tower temple of Daitokuji Temple, the main temple of the Rinsai sect Daitokuji school, and was founded in 1585 by Oda Nobunaga’s older sister Anyoin and others, with Daitokuji 129th and Tenyu Soumei as the founder.

The priest will give you a zazen experience, and you will spend a relaxing time relaxing your body and calming your mind in a quiet atmosphere, forgetting your busy schedule. The zazen experience is explained in a polite and easy-to-understand manner, so even beginners can feel free to experience it. Zazen experience is held in the morning, noon, and night.