[Autumn 2026] Night Viewing, Illuminations and Projection Mapping in Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo-jo Castle and More

In Kyoto in autumn 2026, night viewings and light shows at temples, shrines and castles overlap from November into December. Kodaiji holds a special night viewing from October 23 to December 13, and “NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026” begins at the Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle on the same day, October 23. Heian Shrine opens a night walk of light and music from November 2, and Kiyomizu-dera extends its opening hours until 21:30 from November 21 to 30. This article introduces seven events in Kyoto City, with hours, prices and suggestions for getting around.

Why light events overlap on Kyoto’s nights

This season’s events take as their subject the milestones and histories of their respective sites. Nijo-jo Castle, marking 400 years since the Kan’ei Imperial Visit (1626), has chosen as its theme Tokugawa Masako, who became the empress consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Heian Shrine’s event commemorates the 130th anniversary of its founding, and Kodaiji’s new video work depicts the era of Kita-no-Mandokoro Nene, who is said to have founded the temple, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The nighttime hours also have meaning. The national government’s “Basic Plan for Promoting Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country (5th),” approved by the Cabinet on March 27, 2026, places “promoting early-morning and nighttime experiences at cultural properties” under the heading of “measures against excessive congestion.” This suggests that nighttime experiences are treated as one way of easing crowding. South of Kyoto Station, teamLab Biovortex Kyoto drew more than 1.3 million visitors in its first year, about 44% of them international visitors. The background is explored in depth in our feature “Why Have Nighttime Light Shows at Cultural Properties Increased?”.

Temple night viewings: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodaiji

Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Special Night Viewing (November 21–30)

This is the autumn edition of the special night viewings held three times a year, in spring, summer and autumn, and during the period the temple stays open until 21:30. The official website explains that the single blue beam of light shining from Kiyomizu-dera represents the compassion of Kannon. No reservation is required. During the same period, the Jojuin Garden is also specially opened, and can be visited at night from 18:00 to 20:30 (reception closes). It is also introduced in our article on Kiyomizu-dera’s special night viewing.

On Tuesday, October 20, there will also be a one-night-only night viewing held in conjunction with a memorial service for people who died of breast cancer. The Main Hall and the beam of Kannon’s light will be lit in pink, and two drone shows are planned. Hours are 18:45–21:30 (last reception 21:00), and the entire 500-yen admission fee will be donated to the breast cancer clinical research organization JBCRG.

Dates: November 21 – November 30, 2026
Hours: Gates close at 21:30 (reception closes at 21:00). Night viewing of the Jojuin Garden 18:00–20:30 (reception closes)
Venue: Kiyomizu-dera (1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto)
Access: From JR Kyoto Station, take city bus 206 or 100 to “Gojozaka,” then about a 10-minute walk
Reservations: Not required

Kodaiji Autumn Special Night Viewing and “KODAI-JI: Momoyama Ryoran” (October 23 – December 13)

In the Hashintei Garden in front of the Hojo, the new projection mapping work “KODAI-JI: Momoyama Ryoran” is presented. Taking as its subject the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kita-no-Mandokoro Nene, it depicts the splendor of Momoyama culture and the transience of glory with light, video and sound. According to the press materials, it begins with a scene of twinkling stars and flowing golden clouds, passes through a water surface painted with flowers and plants like maki-e lacquer and drifting petals, and moves to a garden lit by moonlight.

The gardens, designated a Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, are also illuminated, with light on the reflections and autumn leaves of Garyuchi Pond, the bamboo grove and more, while the Kaisando, Kangetsudai and Otamaya are lit from inside. Kodaiji is said to have been founded by Nene in 1606 to pray for the repose of Hideyoshi. Nearby Entokuin also holds night viewings. It is introduced in detail in our article on Kodaiji’s special night viewing.

Dates: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, December 13, 2026
Hours: 9:00 to 21:30 (last reception), gates close at 22:00 (lights on at 17:00). There is no replacement system, but re-entry with the same ticket is not possible after leaving by the exit
Venue: Kodaiji (526 Kodaiji Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto)
Access: 7-minute walk east from the “Higashiyama Yasui” city bus stop (about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station on city bus 206)
Admission: Adults 800 yen, junior high and high school students 400 yen (same price day and night). Elementary school students and younger free when accompanied by a guardian. Combined discount ticket for Kodaiji and Entokuin 1,200 yen; Entokuin only, adults 500 yen

Light and video shows: Nijo-jo Castle, Heian Shrine and Higashi Honganji / Shoseien

NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026 (October 23 – December 5)

A nighttime art exhibition planned, directed and produced by NAKED and co-organized by Kyoto City, it takes Tokugawa Masako as its theme on the 400th anniversary of the Kan’ei Imperial Visit. At the Karamon Gate, “Culture in Bloom” expresses the patterns and colors of Kan’ei culture with lighting that highlights the carvings. Along the inner moat and at Kounten and Seiryu-en Garden, narration using words from Masako’s waka poems and letters continues together with light and sound.

Toward the end, at “Patterns of Kosode” in the front garden of the Kitchen, visitors can experience patterns selected from kosode pattern books projected onto white kosode robes they wear. For the first time, junior high school students and younger are admitted free, and students and Kyoto City residents receive a 500-yen refund at a special booth after entering. The visitor parking lot accepts cars only until 16:00 and closes at 18:00, so it cannot be used for the evening event. It is introduced in detail in our article on NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle.

Dates: Friday, October 23 – Saturday, December 5, 2026 (open every day; held rain or shine)
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
Venue: Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle (541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto)
Admission: High school students and older: Monday–Thursday 2,000 yen, Friday–Sunday and holidays 2,400 yen. Junior high school students and younger free (separate ticket from daytime admission)

WONDER NIGHT JINGU: Gekka (Heian Shrine, November 2–29)

Commemorating the 130th anniversary of Heian Shrine’s founding, this immersive night walk takes visitors around the shrine grounds with light and music featuring the moon as a motif. It consists of eight areas, including “LUNAR BLOOM,” “DAIGOKU DEN,” “LUNAR MIRROR” and “DREAM LANTERN.” The official website notes that its images of the shows are for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual shows. It is introduced in detail in our article on WONDER NIGHT JINGU.

Dates: Monday, November 2 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:30 (last reception 21:00)
Venue: Heian Shrine (97 Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)
Access: About a 10-minute walk from Exit 1 of Higashiyama Station on the Tozai subway line; about a 5-minute walk from the “Higashiyama Nijo / Okazaki Koen-guchi” stop on city bus routes 201, 203 and 206
Admission: Adults Monday–Thursday 2,300 yen, Friday–Sunday and holidays 2,800 yen (when purchased online; the regular prices in the official website’s price table are 2,500 yen and 3,000 yen). Discounts for Kyoto Prefecture residents and prices for overseas residents are available

NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS Higashi Honganji / Shoseien (October 31 – December 6)

A nighttime event planned, directed and produced by NAKED and co-organized by Kyoto City, held at Higashi Honganji and its garden, Shoseien (Kikokutei). At Higashi Honganji’s Goei-do, “LIGHT IN BLOOM” is shown, and at Shoseien, works such as “FIRST SCENE | GARDEN OF THE MOON” at Ingetsuchi Pond and “FIFTH SCENE | SONG OF THE STREAM” at Rinchitei. Food and drink such as sake from Yamamoto Honke, pickles from Kyo-tsukemono Nishiri and Uji tea from Fukujuen are also available.

November 6–8 and 25 are special days when only Shoseien can be entered, with different prices. The event is held rain or shine, and entry may be restricted depending on crowding.

Dates: Saturday, October 31 – Sunday, December 6, 2026 (open every day)
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (Higashi Honganji: last entry 21:00, viewing ends 21:20; Shoseien: viewing ends 22:00)
Venue: Higashi Honganji and Shoseien (Higashitamamizucho, Shimojuzuyamachi-dori Ainomachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto)
Access: Shoseien is a 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station and a 7-minute walk from Gojo Station on the subway
Admission: Regular tickets: junior high school students and older Monday–Thursday 2,100 yen, Friday–Sunday and holidays 2,300 yen; elementary school students Monday–Thursday 1,500 yen, Friday–Sunday and holidays 1,700 yen. Preschool children free

Art facilities open into the evening: teamLab and the Kyoto National Museum

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto (south of Kyoto Station)

A teamLab museum showing more than 50 artwork groups in a total floor area of about 10,000 square meters. In its first year, more than 1.3 million people from 167 countries and regions visited, and the average length of stay exceeded 2 hours and 30 minutes. On Friday, November 20, a teahouse where artworks rise up when tea is prepared in a sea of light, “Teahouse in a Sea of Light Ittekian,” is scheduled to open. On the adjacent site, the experiential art center “Superblue Kyoto” will open in early 2027. It is also introduced in our article on teamLab Biovortex Kyoto.

Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last entry 19:30)
Closed: Tuesday, November 17; Thursday, November 19; Tuesday, December 15 (subject to change)
Venue: 21-5 Higashikujo Higashi-Iwamotocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto. 7-minute walk from the Hachijo East Exit of JR Kyoto Station
Admission: Adults (18 and over) 3,800 yen (varies by date and time), ages 13–17 2,800 yen, ages 4–12 1,800 yen, 3 and under free (200 yen more if purchased at the venue)

Kyoto National Museum Special Exhibition “The Tale of Genji: The Radiance of the Court” (until 20:00 on Fridays)

The National Treasure “Illustrated Handscrolls of The Tale of Genji” (Tokugawa Art Museum) shows “Hashihime” from November 3 to 15 and “Yadorigi III” from November 17 to 29, both only at the Kyoto venue. As the museum is open until 20:00 on Fridays, you can also stop by before a night viewing. It is introduced in our article on the Tale of Genji exhibition.

Dates: Tuesday, October 6 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 9:00–17:30 (until 20:00 on Fridays; last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Kyoto National Museum (527 Chayacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto)
Admission: Adults 2,200 yen, university students 1,200 yen, high school students 700 yen. Junior high school students and younger free

Getting around at night: planning by area and time of day

Based on the official hours and locations of each event, here are some example routes. Travel times vary with crowds and weather, so allow plenty of time before reception closes.

Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodaiji by city bus 206

Kodaiji lights up at 17:00, and reception continues until 21:30. Kiyomizu-dera’s special night viewing is limited to November 21–30, with reception until 21:00. Both can be reached from Kyoto Station on city bus 206 (Kiyomizu-dera is about a 10-minute walk from “Gojozaka,” and Kodaiji a 7-minute walk from “Higashiyama Yasui”). During this period, starting with Kiyomizu-dera, where reception closes earlier, gives you more time. On a Friday, you could also begin with the Kyoto National Museum (last entry 19:30, until November 29), also in Higashiyama Ward.

Okazaki and Nijo-jo Castle: Heian Shrine from 17:30, Nijo-jo Castle from 18:00

WONDER NIGHT JINGU opens at 17:30, with reception until 21:00. NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026 starts at 18:00, with last entry at 21:00. To visit both in one night, it is best to go first to Heian Shrine, which opens earlier. Heian Shrine is about a 10-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai subway line, and Nijo-jo Castle’s official website suggests a route from Sanjo Keihan Station by Kyoto Municipal Subway.

Around Kyoto Station: teamLab until 19:30, Shoseien until 22:00

At teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, last entry is 19:30, and the average stay exceeds 2 hours and 30 minutes, so aim to enter by early evening. Shoseien is a 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, and the Shoseien area of NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS can be viewed until 22:00. With Kyoto Station as a base, you can plan a night with teamLab in the early evening and Shoseien later at night.

Choosing by date: the five night events overlap from November 21 to 29

The five night events at Kiyomizu-dera, Kodaiji, Nijo-jo Castle, Heian Shrine and Shoseien are all held at the same time for nine days, from November 21 to 29. In December, Nijo-jo Castle continues until the 5th, Shoseien until the 6th and Kodaiji until the 13th.

*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

Frequently asked questions

Are reservations required?

Kiyomizu-dera’s special night viewing does not require reservations. Kodaiji does not use a replacement system, and visitors can enter for the same admission fee day and night. The night events at Nijo-jo Castle, Heian Shrine and Shoseien are ticketed, and tickets for Heian Shrine are 200 yen cheaper online. teamLab uses tickets with designated entry times, which cost 200 yen more than the online price if bought at the venue.

Are children free?

NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026 is free for junior high school students and younger. At Kodaiji, elementary school students and younger are free when accompanied by a guardian, and at WONDER NIGHT JINGU and NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS, preschool children are free. At teamLab, children 3 and under are free, and elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Can I go by car?

There is no parking on the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera, and Heian Shrine and teamLab have no dedicated parking either. Nijo-jo Castle’s visitor parking lot accepts cars only until 16:00 and closes at 18:00, so it cannot be used during the evening event. Kiyomizu-dera recommends public transportation or taxis, as it gets crowded at certain times of year.

Can I take photos and videos?

Kiyomizu-dera states that photography using drones, monopods or tripods is not allowed. Nijo-jo Castle prohibits photography inside the Ninomaru Palace and Honmaru Palace and asks visitors to refrain from using monopods and tripods within the castle grounds. For the other venues, too, check the notes on each official website before you go.

*Top image: From a press release by NAKED, INC.

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements by each organizer and venue (as of October 19, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team