[Autumn 2026] Evening Temple and Shrine Visits and Illuminations Outside Kyoto City: Kencho-ji, Zuiganji, Ishiyama-dera, Hase-dera and More

In autumn 2026, evening visits and illuminations at temples and shrines continue outside Kyoto city as well. They begin at the Shoyoen garden of Nikkozan Rinnoji on October 23, Entsuin in Matsushima on the 24th and Kencho-ji in Kamakura on the 29th. On the 30th, Zuiganji and Tokoin in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, hold evening events. November brings Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, Ishiyama-dera in Otsu, Shiromine-ji in Kagawa and Hase-dera in Kamakura. We list 10 events officially announced for 2026 in order of their dates, summarizing admission, reservations, hours, staging and organizers in the same format.

Quick guide by date: from Rinnoji (October 23) to Hase-dera (through December 6)

• Eight days between Friday, October 23 and Sunday, November 8: Nikkozan Rinnoji “Shoyoen Garden Illumination” (Nikko, Tochigi; ¥500)

• Saturday, October 24 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday): Entsuin “Autumn Leaves Illumination 2026” (Matsushima, Miyagi; ¥1,500)

• Thursday, October 29 – Sunday, December 6: Kencho-ji “VIE presents ZEN NIGHT KAMAKURA” (Kamakura, Kanagawa; adults from ¥2,400)

• Friday, October 30 – Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday): Horyuji Tokoin “World of Light and Fantasy” (Ayabe, Kyoto; adults from ¥1,500)

• Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday): Zuiganji “Autumn Night Visit” (Matsushima, Miyagi; ¥1,300)

• Saturday, November 7 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday): Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine “Tokimusubi no Mori” (Omiya, Saitama; free admission)

• Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 29: Ishiyama-dera “Atarayo Momiji” (Otsu, Shiga; ¥800)

• Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 29: Shiromine-ji “Evening Special Viewing Illumination 2026” (Sakaide, Kagawa; ¥1,500)

• Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, December 6: Hase-dera “Autumn Evening Special Viewing and Autumn-Leaf Illumination” (Kamakura, Kanagawa; ¥400)

Evening visits within Kyoto city (Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, Nijo-jo Castle and others) are introduced in our roundup of evening temple visits and illuminations in Kyoto. Evening openings of gardens and parks in Tokyo and the Kanto region are covered in our roundup of autumn-leaf illuminations in Tokyo and the Kanto region. On September 9, Byodoin in Uji announced that it would suspend the evening special viewings it had held in spring and autumn since around 2017, with spring 2026 marking the end of that run. It says there are no plans for an autumn 2026 viewing.

Who opens temples and shrines at night: organizers and forms of staging

Among the events that disclose their organizers, Zuiganji’s is organized by the temple, with planning, direction and production by NAKED, INC. Ishiyama-dera’s is organized by the temple and a tourism association, and Tokoin’s by the temple and an executive committee. Hikawa Shrine’s is organized by the City of Saitama, Kencho-ji’s by VIE Inc. and Nikkei, and Shiromine-ji’s by Banri Ikku Co., Ltd. Rinnoji, Entsuin and Hase-dera announce their events on their own official websites.

Staging methods also differ. Those announcing projection mapping include Hikawa Shrine (on the tower gate and trees), Tokoin and Zuiganji (staged by a local vocational school). Kencho-ji stages its garden and buildings with a sea of clouds, light and sound. The announcements for Rinnoji, Entsuin, Ishiyama-dera, Shiromine-ji and Hase-dera make no mention of projection, presenting illuminations of autumn leaves and buildings.

Some events are building a track record. Zuiganji’s night visit is in its fifth year, Kencho-ji’s ZEN NIGHT is held for the second year running, and Shiromine-ji’s is its second edition, two years after the first. At Hikawa Shrine, about 52,000 people visited last year’s illumination, which included its first projection mapping. This year, the Saitama Tourism and International Relations Association will take the lead in selling priority-entry tickets by advance reservation, with the aim of “easing congestion and revitalizing the nighttime economy.”

The national government also positions nighttime cultural-property experiences within tourism policy. The summary of the fifth Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Tourism-Oriented Country, approved by the Cabinet on March 27, 2026, places “promoting early-morning and nighttime experiences of cultural properties and the like” under “measures against excessive congestion.” Kencho-ji’s ZEN NIGHT receives a fiscal 2026 Japan Cultural Expo subsidy.

Evening visits starting in October: Rinnoji, Entsuin, Kencho-ji, Tokoin and Zuiganji

[Ended] Nikkozan Rinnoji: “Shoyoen Garden Illumination” (Nikko, Tochigi)

Nikkozan Rinnoji, part of a World Heritage Site, opens its Shoyoen garden for special evening viewing. A marché is also held from November 6 to 8, and tripods may be used from 20:00 to 21:00 during this period (they may be refused depending on how crowded it is).

Dates: Friday, October 23, Saturday, October 24, Friday, October 30, Saturday, October 31, Sunday, November 1, Friday, November 6, Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours: October 23 – November 1: from the regular closing time to 19:00 (last entry 18:30); November 6–8: from closing time to 21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Admission: ¥500 per person; elementary and junior high school students accompanied by a parent or guardian free
Reservations: Not mentioned in the official information. Viewing tickets are sold at the Shoyoen entrance
Staging: Illumination of the Shoyoen garden (no mention of projection)
Organizer: Not stated in the official information (announced by Rinnoji on its official website)
Venue and address: Shoyoen Garden, Nikkozan Rinnoji (2300 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi)
Access: Visitors are directed to use the Tobu Bus World Heritage Sightseeing route
Parking: Parking Lots 1 and 2 are free after closing time (paid on November 6–8 because of the marché)

Entsuin: “Autumn Leaves Illumination 2026” (Matsushima, Miyagi)

A temple in Matsushima that is home to the Sankeiden, the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, Entsuin lights its grounds every night during the period. Light falls on the dry landscape rock garden and its maples, the Shinji Pond in the Enshu-style garden where autumn leaves are reflected on the water, the woods and bamboo grove around the Sankeiden, and a group of caves.

Dates: Saturday, October 24 – Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:45)
Admission: Junior high school students and older ¥1,500; elementary school children and younger free
Reservations: No reservation system mentioned. Evening tickets are sold at “Matsushima Momijian” in front of the Sanseido from 16:00 to 20:45; there are no online sales
Staging: Illumination of the grounds (no mention of projection)
Organizer: Not stated in the official information (announced by Entsuin on its official website)
Venue and address: Entsuin (67 Chonai, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi)
Access: 5-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line
In case of rain: Canceled in severe weather, if an earthquake of seismic intensity 5-lower or greater is recorded in Matsushima, if a tsunami advisory is issued for the Miyagi coast, and in similar cases (per the Matsushima Tourism Association)
Parking: None (visitors are directed to paid parking along National Route 45)
Photography: Visitors are asked to refrain from using tripods, selfie sticks, drones and other auxiliary equipment

Kencho-ji: “VIE presents ZEN NIGHT KAMAKURA” (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

At the head temple of the Kencho-ji school of Rinzai Zen, a sea of clouds is created in the Hojo garden surrounded by autumn leaves, layered with the sound of bell crickets and VIE’s “neuro music.” Wind chimes sway along the path to the Sanmon Gate, and the Karamon Gate is lit in gold. It is one of the initiatives leading up to 2028, the 750th anniversary of the death of the temple’s founder, Daikaku Zenji (Lanxi Daolong), and is also introduced in our article on ZEN NIGHT KAMAKURA.

Dates: Thursday, October 29 – Sunday, December 6, 2026
Hours: 17:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30). Visits to the Hatto lecture hall after 18:30 only on October 30 and 31 and November 1
Admission: Adults: weekdays ¥2,400 in advance / ¥2,900 on the day; weekends and holidays ¥2,900 in advance / ¥3,400 on the day. Ages 12 and under: weekdays ¥1,200 in advance / ¥1,450 on the day; weekends and holidays ¥1,450 in advance / ¥1,700 on the day. Ages 6 and under free
Reservations: General tickets are sold on the official website, and same-day tickets at the counter (digital payment only). Tickets including brainwave zazen are sold in advance only, by reservation
Staging: Sea of clouds and light-and-sound staging (no mention of projection)
Organizers: VIE Inc. and Nikkei Inc. (special cooperation: Kencho-ji and the executive committee for the 750th memorial of founder Daikaku Zenji)
Venue and address: Kencho-ji Head Temple (8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
Access: About a 15-minute walk (5 minutes by bus) from Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line

[Ended] Horyuji Tokoin: “World of Light and Fantasy” (Ayabe, Kyoto)

A Koyasan Shingon temple in Ayabe that combines bamboo lanterns with projection mapping. The bamboo lanterns were made by students of the Kyoto Institute of Technology, under the guidance of local residents, from bamboo taken from neglected groves. The projection mapping is by Rextribe Inc., which says it will stage video and light tailored to the temple’s buildings and the features of its grounds.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30). Entry is divided into three sessions (Session 1: 17:30–18:15; Session 2: 18:30–19:15; Session 3: 19:30–20:30)
Admission: Adults ¥1,500 in advance / ¥1,800 on the day; junior high and high school students ¥1,000; elementary school students ¥500; preschool children free
Reservations: Advance tickets online only (teket). Adults limited to 120 per session. Same-day tickets sold at the venue reception
Staging: Bamboo lanterns and projection mapping (projection locations and showtimes not announced as of October 22)
Organizers: Horyuji Tokoin; World of Light and Fantasy Executive Committee
Venue and address: Horyuji Tokoin (7 Donooku, Kaminobu-cho, Ayabe, Kyoto)
Access: 7 minutes by taxi from JR Ayabe Station
Parking: Parking Lot 1 (Tokoin) and Parking Lot 2 (Morii parking lot). A free shuttle bus runs between Parking Lot 2 and the venue

Zuiganji: “NAKED Matsushima: Autumn Night Visit to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple” (Matsushima, Miyagi)

In its fifth year, the theme is “moon-viewing illumination,” and the press materials say it focuses on the moon and moonlight so dearly loved by Date Masamune. An audio guide is newly introduced, and projection mapping by a local vocational school is also shown. There are also “NAKED Distance Lanterns®,” which project light onto the ground and are presented on Zuiganji’s official website as paid content at ¥300 each. The event is also introduced in our article on Zuiganji’s night visit.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:00–21:00 (ticket sales end 20:30)
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) ¥1,300 (¥1,200 for web advance tickets); junior high school students and younger free when accompanied by a guardian
Reservations: Web advance tickets are sold on a dedicated site. The Date Busho-tai tour (¥3,000 for elementary school students and older per Zuiganji’s official website, plus the evening visit fee) requires advance registration
Staging: Projection mapping by a local vocational school; lanterns that project light onto the ground (¥300 each per the official website)
Organizer: Zuiganji
Planning and production: Planning, direction and production by NAKED, INC.
Venue and address: Zuiganji (91 Chonai, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi)
Access: 10-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line
In case of rain: Canceled in severe weather, if an earthquake of seismic intensity 5-lower or greater is recorded in Matsushima, if a tsunami advisory is issued for the Miyagi coast, and in similar cases (per the Matsushima Tourism Association)
Parking: No dedicated parking

Evening visits starting in November: Hikawa Shrine, Ishiyama-dera, Shiromine-ji and Hase-dera

Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine: “Tokimusubi no Mori” (Omiya, Saitama)

An illumination event organized by the City of Saitama, completely revamped this year on the theme “Omiya’s history and traditions.” Plans include projection mapping on the tower gate and trees, illumination of the second and third torii gates, mist and bamboo lanterns along the approach. With the cooperation of Saitama Prefectural Omiya Science and Technology High School, which opened this year, student works are also displayed.

Dates: Saturday, November 7 – Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: Monday–Thursday 17:30–20:00 (last entry 19:30); Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Admission: Free. Only priority entry (“no waiting” and “viewing from the front”) is charged
Reservations: Priority-entry tickets require advance booking (on a dedicated site and the Saitama City “Minna no App”; the 18:30 slot each day is reserved for app users)
Staging: Projection mapping (tower gate and trees), torii illumination, mist, bamboo lanterns
Organizer: City of Saitama (priority entry handled by the Saitama Tourism and International Relations Association)
Venue and address: Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine (1-407 Takahanacho, Omiya-ku, Saitama, Saitama)
Parking: Only Parking Lot 1 is available (paid). The shrine asks visitors to use public transport

Ishiyama-dera: “Atarayo Momiji (Autumn-Leaf Illumination): A Night Too Precious to Waste” (Otsu, Shiga)

The National Treasure Main Hall and Tahoto pagoda, the Important Cultural Property East Gate with the Nio statues on either side, and the lanterns along the approach are lit together with the autumn leaves in the grounds. There is also “upside-down momiji,” where autumn leaves are reflected in the pond at the Akaiya, and a garden that is normally closed to the public but opens only during the illumination hours.

Dates: Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Admission: Evening entry fee: general ¥800, junior high and high school students ¥600, elementary school students ¥300 (separate from the daytime entry fee)
Reservations: No reservation mentioned for the illumination. Guided night tours on weekends and holidays require booking
Staging: Illumination of National Treasure buildings and autumn leaves (no mention of projection)
Organizers: Ishiyama-dera Head Temple; Ishiyama Tourism Association
Venue and address: Ishiyama-dera (1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu, Shiga)
Access: From stop 1 at JR Ishiyama Station, take a Kojak Bus to Ishiyamadera Sanmon-mae (about 10 minutes)
Time required: About one hour to tour the grounds
Parking: Ishiyama-dera tourist parking (¥600 for cars)

Shiromine-ji: “Evening Special Viewing Illumination 2026” (Sakaide, Kagawa)

Temple No. 81 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage lights its autumn leaves and buildings such as the Main Hall and the Tonshojiden, and specially opens its treasure hall, which normally requires advance booking. In the Important Cultural Property guest hall, visitors can write wishes on glowing leaves and hang them up (¥500) and make amulets (¥1,000).

Dates: Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15; Friday, November 20 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday); Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:45)
Admission: Special viewing ticket ¥1,500 (including the treasure hall); elementary school children and younger free
Reservations: Tickets are sold online and at the Sakaide City Tourist Information Center inside JR Sakaide Station (9:00–17:00). Guest-hall activities generally require advance online booking
Staging: Illumination of autumn leaves and buildings (no mention of projection)
Organizer: Banri Ikku Co., Ltd. (supported by the City of Sakaide and the Sakaide City Tourism Association)
Venue and address: Shiromine-ji (2635 Oumicho, Sakaide, Kagawa)
Access: The official website gives no rail or bus information. Temporary parking nearby is limited, and visitors are asked to carpool
In case of rain: Planned to go ahead in light rain; may be canceled or changed in severe weather
Photography: Allowed (refrain from photography that disturbs other visitors or in restricted areas)

Hase-dera: “Autumn Evening Special Viewing and Autumn-Leaf Illumination” (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

A special evening viewing held by Hase-dera in Hase, Kamakura, during the autumn-leaf season. The lights are switched on before dusk, and the temple says the period may be extended depending on the state of the leaves.

Dates: Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, December 6, 2026
Hours: Sunset to 19:00 gate closing (grounds close 19:30)
Admission: Adults ¥400, elementary school students ¥200
Reservations: Not mentioned in the official information
Staging: Illumination of autumn leaves (no mention of projection)
Organizer: Not stated in the official information (announced by Hase-dera on its official website)
Venue and address: Hase-dera (3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
Access: 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Line
In case of rain: Held in rain (may be canceled in severe weather)
Parking: 30 spaces for standard cars (¥350 per 30 minutes)
Photography: Tripods may not be used on the paths

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book?

At Rinnoji and Entsuin, tickets are bought at the venue, and Entsuin does not sell online. Brainwave zazen at Kencho-ji, the guest-hall activities at Shiromine-ji and priority entry at Hikawa Shrine require advance booking.

What do children pay?

Admission is free for junior high school students and younger (accompanied by a guardian) at Zuiganji, and for elementary school children and younger at Entsuin and Shiromine-ji. It is free for elementary and junior high school students accompanied by a parent or guardian at Rinnoji, for ages 6 and under at Kencho-ji, and for preschool children at Tokoin. Elementary school students pay ¥200 at Hase-dera and ¥300 at Ishiyama-dera.

Editor’s perspective

The 10 events include evening visits announced by the temples themselves, which light their grounds for admission of ¥400 to ¥1,500, alongside events organized by companies and local governments that incorporate projection, hands-on activities and reserved slots. Byodoin, meanwhile, cited upcoming temple events, including preparations for the dedication of its Kannon-do hall, as one reason for suspending its evening special viewings. Whether temples can keep opening at night depends not only on the content of the staging but also on balancing it with repair work and the temple calendar.

*Information as of October 22, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: The main hall and inner garden at “NAKED Matsushima: Autumn Night Visit to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple” (from NAKED, INC.’s press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements by each organizer and venue (as of October 22, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2026 at Senso-ji, introduced in this article, is an event planned and produced by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE (About us).

[Ended] Senso-ji: ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2026 (Asakusa, Tokyo)

Videos of about six minutes each, inspired by Senso-ji’s 1,400 years of history and culture, are projected in alternation onto the south sides of the Main Hall and Hozomon Gate. During the same period, the Denboin Garden, a Place of Scenic Beauty, and the Emado, both normally closed to the public, are specially opened for a fee. The projection is free to view, with no advance registration required. Details are in our article on the Senso-ji projection mapping and our article on the special viewing of the Denboin Garden and Emado.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: Projection 18:00–21:30. Denboin Garden 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30), illuminated from 17:00
Admission: Projection free. Special viewing of the Denboin Garden and Emado: adults (high school students and older) ¥2,300 in advance / ¥2,500 on the day; elementary and junior high school students ¥800 in advance / ¥1,000 on the day; preschool children free
Reservations: No advance registration for the projection. The special viewing uses date-specified tickets
Staging: Projection mapping (Main Hall and Hozomon Gate), illumination of the Denboin Garden
Organizer: Asakusa Culture & Lights Executive Committee
Venue and address: Senso-ji (2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on each line (Exit A4 for the Toei Asakusa Line)