Kiyomizu-dera Temple Autumn Leaves 2026
Last updated: July 28, 2026. Typical viewing times and details below are compiled from official park, temple, city and tourism-association websites (linked at the end of this page). The dates of annual night light-ups are set each year — check the official site before you travel.
Around a thousand maples color the Kin'unkei ('brocade cloud') gorge below the temple, so the great wooden stage of the main hall appears to float above a valley of red foliage against the Higashiyama hills.
Key Facts
| Typical peak | Mid-to-late November |
|---|---|
| Best months | November |
| Location | Kyoto, Kyoto |
| Nearest station | Gojo-zaka / Kiyomizu-michi bus stops (nearest rail: Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, Keihan Line, about 25 minutes on foot) |
| Admission | Daytime admission is a modest per-adult fee with a reduced rate for children; a separate ticket applies for the autumn night special viewing. Confirm current rates on the official site. |
| Night light-up | Mid-to-late November into early December, evenings (autumn night special viewing with a light beam over the city) (exact 2026 dates set each year — confirm on the official site) |
| Official site | https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/ |
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Highlights
- The main hall's cantilevered stage rising above the Kin'unkei maple gorge
- Views back to the three-story pagoda framed in red
- Autumn night illumination with a beam of light shining up into the sky
Where to See the Autumn Leaves
The Main Hall Stage (Hondo butai) (Paid)
The famous overhanging veranda that looks out over the Kin'unkei gorge blazing with maples.
Inside the paid temple precinct, reached up the Kiyomizu-zaka approach.
Okunoin viewpoint (Paid)
A hall across the gorge that gives the classic side-on photo of the whole stage floating above the autumn foliage.
A short walk beyond the main hall along the precinct path.
Getting There
From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus route 206 or 100 and get off at Gojo-zaka (or Kiyomizu-michi), then walk about 10 minutes uphill.
Crowd & Timing Tips
- One of Kyoto's busiest autumn sites; the temple opens at 6:00, so an early-morning visit is by far the least crowded
- The approach streets (Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka) are packed all day in November
Autumn Illumination
Mid-to-late November into early December, evenings (autumn night special viewing with a light beam over the city) The exact 2026 dates are announced each year, so confirm them on the official site before planning an evening visit.
About Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Kyoto's most visited temples.
See more autumn-leaf spots: Kansai Autumn Leaves 2026 · Japan Autumn Leaves Guide 2026