Kyoto autumn leaves 2026: which temples need a reservation, and which you can just walk into
Checked against 10 official sources. 6 minute read.
What to know first
Rurikoin needs a reservation for daytime visits from 13 November to 6 December 2026. The postcard lottery has closed, but the temple’s homepage now links to information on a secondary application round; current open dates are unconfirmed. Kiyomizu-dera’s night opening needs no reservation, and Eikando sells its daytime exhibition and night tickets on the day only. Paid, pre-booked options are sold by JR Tokai through EX membership, including private visits at Tofukuji and an Eikando private morning visit.
On this page
Four temples, six visit options
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| Visit | 2026 dates | Booking | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rurikoin (Yase), daytime autumn opening | 1 Oct – 13 Dec | Reservation required 13 Nov – 6 Dec (postcard lottery closed; see the temple’s secondary-round link). No reservation on other opening days (1 Oct – 12 Nov, 7 – 13 Dec) | 10:00–17:00, reception closes 16:30; ¥2,000 per person; eligible students ¥1,000 with student ID |
| Kiyomizu-dera night opening | 21 – 30 Nov | Not needed | Last entry 21:00, gates close 21:30 |
| Eikando autumn exhibition (day) | 11 Nov – 6 Dec | Same-day exhibition tickets; a separate JR Tokai private morning visit can be pre-booked | Reception 9:00–16:00, gates close 17:00; adults ¥1,500 |
| Eikando night visit | 20 Nov – 6 Dec | Same-day night tickets; JR Tokai’s pre-booked morning visit is a separate product | Entry from 17:30, last entry 20:30, gates close 21:00; ¥1,000 (junior high and above) |
| Tofukuji private night visit (JR Tokai) | 18 Nov – 6 Dec | Pre-booked product; EX membership needed | Part 1 from 17:30 (¥3,000), Part 2 from 18:30 (¥2,500); both end 19:30 |
| Tofukuji private morning visit (JR Tokai) | 19 Nov – 6 Dec | Pre-booked product; EX membership needed | 7:30–8:30, last entry 8:00, ¥1,800 |
Sources for this section: Rurikoin / Komyoji · Kiyomizu-dera · Eikando Zenrinji · Eikando Zenrinji · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information · Kyoto City Tourism Association: Kiyomizu-dera autumn night visit
Rurikoin: the lottery has closed, but the shoulder days are open
Rurikoin’s special autumn daytime opening runs from 1 October to 13 December 2026. Advance reservation is required for 13 November to 6 December. The first postcard lottery closed on 20 August 2026 (postmark deadline). The temple’s homepage now links to information on a secondary application round; we have not confirmed any open dates.
On the other days of the daytime opening, 1 October to 12 November and 7 to 13 December, no reservation is needed.
If someone in your group won a place in the postcard lottery, bring the reply postcard and identification for every person in the group on the day.
Check the temple’s secondary-round information for current details; we have not confirmed open dates.
Daytime admission is ¥2,000 per person; junior-high and high-school students pay ¥1,000 with student ID. These prices are separate from the night package. Daytime hours are 10:00–17:00, with reception closing at 16:30. Daytime admission is paid in cash only, at the reception desk in front of the gate, and the temple does not accept travel-agency or group tours for its daytime opening.
JR Tokai separately sells a ¥6,000 Rurikoin night package, including night admission, an Eizan Railway one-day pass and a return Eizan cable-car and ropeway ticket. The 2026 dates are 14 and 15 November and 20 November to 6 December; this does not use the daytime postcard lottery. The night package runs in two parts: 18:15–19:30 (reception closes 18:45) and 19:45–20:30 (reception closes 20:00).
Sources for this section: Rurikoin / Komyoji · Rurikoin / Komyoji · Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
Kiyomizu-dera at night: no booking, last entry 21:00
Kiyomizu-dera opens at night from 21 to 30 November 2026. Last admission is at 21:00 and the gates close at 21:30. The temple says no reservation is needed for its 2026 night openings.
Kyoto’s official tourism information lists the 2026 autumn night admission at ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for elementary- and junior-high-school students.
Sources for this section: Kiyomizu-dera · Kyoto City Tourism Association: Kiyomizu-dera autumn night visit
Eikando: two separate sessions, tickets on the day
Eikando's autumn exhibition runs from 11 November to 6 December 2026, with night visits from 20 November to 6 December. Daytime reception runs 9:00–16:00 and the gates close at 17:00; adult daytime admission is ¥1,500. Night entry starts at 17:30, reception is scheduled to end at 20:30, and the gates close at 21:00. Night admission is ¥1,000 for junior-high-school students and above.
The day and night sessions are separate: if you are inside in the afternoon, you leave and buy a second ticket for the night. During the 2026 autumn exhibition and night visits, the temple does not sell tickets in advance and asks visitors to buy them on the day. The temple expects particularly large crowds in the second half of November.
JR Tokai separately sells a pre-booked private morning visit from 8:00 to 9:00 on 20 November to 6 December 2026, priced at ¥2,300 for EX members. This is separate from the temple’s same-day exhibition and night tickets.
Eikando may close reception early to ease congestion. The Garyu-ro corridor and Senbutsu-do are closed from 11 November to 6 December. Private cars and tour coaches (except minibuses) cannot enter during the exhibition and light-up; use public transport.
Sources for this section: Eikando Zenrinji · Eikando Zenrinji · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
Tofukuji: a pre-booked private visit through JR Tokai
JR Tokai sells a reserved private night visit at Tofukuji from 18 November to 6 December 2026, and a private morning visit from 19 November to 6 December. These are sold through EX Tabi-saki Yoyaku, and buying one requires an Express Reservation or SmartEX membership. They are separate products from the temple’s ordinary daytime admission. For ordinary daytime entry from 14 November to 6 December 2026, Tofukuji opens the Tsutenkyo bridge area from 8:30 and the Hojo garden from 9:00; reception ends at 16:00 and the gates close at 16:30. Autumn admission to Tsutenkyo and Kaisando is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary- and junior-high-school students, and the Hojo garden is ¥600 for adults (raised from ¥500 on 1 November 2026) and ¥300 for children. No combined ticket is sold in this period, and re-entry is not allowed. Night: Part 1 from 17:30 (¥3,000), Part 2 from 18:30 (¥2,500); both end 19:30. Morning: 7:30–8:30, last entry 8:00, ¥1,800.
Sources for this section: Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Tofukuji: ordinary daytime admission
Worked example: one weekend, three temples
Say you are in Kyoto on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026.
- Rurikoin: 28 and 29 November fall in the reservation period. Without a winning postcard, check the temple’s secondary-round link first. If you cannot get a booking, move your daytime visit to 7–13 December, when no reservation is needed.
- Eikando: go in daylight, leave, and come back for the night session, which admits from 17:30. That is two tickets, both bought on the day. This weekend sits in the second half of November, when the temple expects particularly large crowds.
- Kiyomizu-dera: the night opening runs on both days. Its 21:00 last entry is later than Eikando's 20:30, so if you want both on one night, make Kiyomizu-dera the second stop.
Sources for this section: Rurikoin / Komyoji · Eikando Zenrinji · Eikando Zenrinji · Kiyomizu-dera · Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information
Which choice fits your trip
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| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You want Rurikoin between 13 Nov and 6 Dec but did not win the lottery | Check the temple’s secondary-round link. If you cannot get a booking, visit in the daytime on 1 Oct – 12 Nov or 7 – 13 Dec, when no reservation is needed |
| You want one evening of lit-up temples with no booking | Eikando (from 17:30) then Kiyomizu-dera (last entry 21:00) |
| You want to see Eikando by day and by night | Plan two visits and two tickets; you cannot stay on from the daytime session into the night session |
| You want a visit booked in advance | JR Tokai’s Tofukuji private visits or Eikando private morning visit, sold to Express Reservation or SmartEX members |
| You can choose your week | Eikando expects particularly large crowds in late November |
Sources for this section: Rurikoin / Komyoji · Eikando Zenrinji · Kiyomizu-dera · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai) · Eikando Zenrinji · Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information
Your next step
Decide your evening first: Eikando from 17:30, then Kiyomizu-dera before 21:00. Then put a Rurikoin daytime visit on a non-lottery day (1 Oct – 12 Nov or 7 – 13 Dec). For where to stay and how to plan around crowds, read Kyoto or Osaka as your base and avoiding crowds in Japan.
Sources for this section: Eikando Zenrinji · Kiyomizu-dera · Rurikoin / Komyoji
Questions about this guide
Can I still apply for Rurikoin's autumn lottery?
No. The first postcard lottery required a postmark by 20 August 2026. The temple’s homepage now links to information on a secondary application round for 13 November to 6 December. Check it for current details; we have not confirmed open dates. On 1 October to 12 November and 7 to 13 December, no reservation is needed.
Do I need to book Kiyomizu-dera's night opening?
No. The temple says no reservation is needed for its 2026 night openings.
Can I buy Eikando tickets online before I travel?
Not from the temple: its exhibition and night tickets are sold on the day only. JR Tokai separately sells a pre-booked private morning visit (8:00–9:00, 20 Nov – 6 Dec, ¥2,300) to EX members.
If I enter Eikando at 16:00, can I stay for the illuminations?
No. The day and night sessions are separate, so you leave and re-enter with a night ticket.
Is the JR Tokai Tofukuji plan the same as normal entry?
No. It is a separately sold private visit, bought through an EX membership.
Official pages for this guide
The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.
- Rurikoin / Komyoji
- Rurikoin / Komyoji
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Eikando Zenrinji
- Eikando Zenrinji
- Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
- Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
- Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information
- Kyoto City Tourism Association: Kiyomizu-dera autumn night visit
- Tofukuji: ordinary daytime admission
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Sources and how this guide was checked
Published · Based on official sources · no affiliate links
Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- Rurikoin / Komyoji
What this confirms: 2026 daytime opening dates and published admission fees; current homepage links secondary-round information. Open dates in the secondary round were not confirmed.
Last checked - Rurikoin / Komyoji
What this confirms: Rurikoin: the lottery has closed, but the shoulder days are open; FAQ
Last checked - Kiyomizu-dera
What this confirms: Four temples, six visit options; Kiyomizu-dera at night: no booking, last entry 21:00; Worked example: one weekend, three temples; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ; Your next step
Last checked - Eikando Zenrinji
What this confirms: Four temples, six visit options; Eikando: two separate sessions, tickets on the day; Worked example: one weekend, three temples; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ; Your next step
Last checked - Eikando Zenrinji
What this confirms: Four temples, six visit options; Eikando: two separate sessions, tickets on the day; Worked example: one weekend, three temples; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ
Last checked - Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
What this confirms: Four temples, six visit options; Tofukuji: a pre-booked private visit through JR Tokai; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ
Last checked - Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tokai)
What this confirms: Four temples, six visit options; Tofukuji: a pre-booked private visit through JR Tokai; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ
Last checked - Rurikoin: secondary-round booking information
What this confirms: The temple directs visitors here for secondary-round information. No selectable reservation menu or date-specific open slot was verified in this check; availability and secondary-round conditions remain unconfirmed.
Last checked - Kyoto City Tourism Association: Kiyomizu-dera autumn night visit
What this confirms: 2026 autumn night visit on 21–30 November: admission ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for elementary- and junior-high-school students. The temple’s own notice confirms the dates and last-entry time.
Last checked - Tofukuji: ordinary daytime admission
What this confirms: Ordinary daytime autumn entry, opening and closing times, admission fees, Hojo fee increase from 1 November 2026, no combined ticket and no re-entry.
Last checked
About this guide
Which Kyoto autumn temple visits require reservations in 2026, and which use same-day admission?
Sources last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
How we checked this
Where this information comes from
Which Kyoto autumn temple visits require reservations in 2026, and which use same-day admission?
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Question | What we found | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| You wanted Rurikoin between 13 Nov and 6 Dec but have no lottery win | Make a daytime visit on 1 Oct – 12 Nov or 7 – 13 Dec instead; no reservation needed | |
| You want one evening of lit-up temples with no booking | Eikando (from 17:30) then Kiyomizu-dera (last entry 21:00) | |
| You want to see Eikando by day and by night | Plan two visits and two tickets; you cannot stay on from the daytime session into the night session | |
| You want a visit booked in advance | JR Tokai's Tofukuji private visits or Eikando private morning visit | |
| You can choose your week | Eikando expects particularly large crowds in late November |
Based on official sources, linked below.
Guide updates Reviewed
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
- Check again by
- What we checked
- Rurikoin / Komyoji; Kiyomizu-dera; Eikando Zenrinji; JR Tokai; Kyoto City Tourism Association. Individual source check dates are listed below. Rurikoin’s current secondary-round availability remains unconfirmed.
- Latest update
- : Fixed a cut-off sentence and reordered the Eikando times; added Rurikoin daytime hours and cash-only rule, the JR Tokai night sessions, Eikando’s vehicle ban and Tofukuji’s ordinary daytime entry.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
Who edits this guide
One editor looks after this guide
Japan, Booked. is run and edited from Japan. The same editor checks the Japanese and English sources, writes the traveller-facing guidance and keeps the correction history up to date.
What changed
Update history
- Article correction and source update
Fixed a cut-off sentence and reordered the Eikando times; added Rurikoin daytime hours and cash-only rule, the JR Tokai night sessions, Eikando’s vehicle ban and Tofukuji’s ordinary daytime entry.
- Partial article update
Distinguished Eikando’s same-day tickets from JR Tokai’s private morning visit, added visit times and prices, and replaced the Rurikoin lottery-only claim with the temple’s secondary-round notice without claiming availability.
- First published
Which Kyoto autumn temple visits require reservations in 2026, and which use same-day admission?
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.