Kyoto has two evening events this autumn: the autumn-leaf "sea of clouds" light-up at Ninnaji Temple in Ukyo Ward, and WONDER NIGHT JINGU ~Gekka~ at Heian Jingu Shrine in Sakyo Ward. They run at different times and prices. The details below come from official announcements.

Ninnaji: autumn-leaf sea of clouds light-up

A temple main hall in sunshine, with white mist drifting over the ground among bright red maples
Ninnaji uses artificial mist around the Kondo to create a sea-of-clouds effect (AI-generated illustration)

The full name of the Ninnaji event is "Koyo Unkai Light-up ~528Hz Healing Sound Garden~". It is centred on the Kondo, a National Treasure, where artificial mist and lighting create a sea-of-clouds effect, accompanied by music.

  • Dates: 24 October to 13 December 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only
  • No event on 8 November (Sun) and 28 November (Sat); it may also be cancelled at short notice for temple ceremonies
  • Hours: 18:30–21:00, with admission from 18:00 to 20:30; on 20 November admission starts at 18:30
  • Price: 2,800 yen for adults, free for high-school students and younger, which the temple describes as cultural support for the next generation
  • A special goshuin stamp, "Amida Nyorai and Autumn Leaves", costs 700 yen and is available from 18:30 to 20:30 at the office in front of the Kondo, as a pre-written sheet only

The site is right by the gate of the "Omuro Ninnaji" stop on Kyoto City Bus route 26, and close to Omuro-Ninnaji Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line. The address is 33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto.

Ninnaji and Sagano Romantic Train set ticket

A red sightseeing train running along a gorge lined with orange and red maples above a turquoise river
The Sagano Romantic Train runs along the Hozugawa gorge (AI-generated illustration)

On 15 October Ninnaji announced a set ticket with Sagano Scenic Railway. It combines light-up admission with a one-way ride on the Sagano Romantic Train between Torokko Saga and Torokko Kameoka, about 7.3 km and about 25 minutes.

  • The set costs 3,380 yen, made up of a discounted light-up ticket at 2,500 yen and the 880-yen train fare
  • Only adults aged 18 and over can buy it, and only online, from 28 days before the date of use until the day itself
  • This is the final year of service for the DE10 diesel locomotive that pulls the train
  • A goshuin made jointly with the Sagano Romantic Train is also available for 700 yen

The train runs in the daytime and the light-up starts in the evening, so one way to plan the day is to ride the train first and go to Ninnaji in the evening.

Heian Jingu: WONDER NIGHT JINGU ~Gekka~

A huge vermilion torii and shrine buildings with green-tiled roofs, framed by red and yellow autumn leaves under a blue sky
The great torii and shrine buildings of Heian Jingu (AI-generated illustration)

Heian Jingu was founded in 1895 to mark 1,100 years since the capital moved to Heian-kyo, and 2026 is the 130th year since its founding. The event is organised by Nexyz Wonderwall with support from Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City. It is an immersive light-up night walk on the theme of the moon, with areas named LUNAR BLOOM, LUNAR VEIL, FLORAL GLOW, MOONLIT PATH, PRISM STREAM, LUNAR MIRROR and DREAM LANTERN.

  • Dates: 2 to 29 November 2026, every day
  • Hours: 17:30–21:30, last entry 21:00
  • Prices: adults 2,500 yen on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and 3,000 yen on Fridays, weekends and public holidays; junior high and high school students 1,800 yen; elementary school children and younger 1,000 yen
  • Overseas visitors pay a flat 3,000 yen; Kyoto Prefecture residents get a discounted price
  • Tickets bought online are 200 yen cheaper
  • The event is cancelled in stormy weather; on rainy days the organiser announces by noon whether it will go ahead

Higashiyama Station (Exit 1) on the Tozai subway line is about a 10-minute walk away. Sanjo and Jingu-Marutamachi stations on the Keihan Line are about 15 minutes on foot. From the "Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan / Heian Jingu-mae" stop on city bus routes 5 or EX100 it is about 5 minutes. There is no parking at the venue.

The two events compared

A stone path through a Kyoto garden under red and yellow maples, with a stone lantern and moss
A Kyoto garden path in autumn (AI-generated illustration)
Ninnaji light-up Heian Jingu WONDER NIGHT JINGU
Dates 24 Oct–13 Dec (Fri–Sun and holidays only) 2–29 Nov (daily)
Hours 18:30–21:00 17:30–21:30
Adult price 2,800 yen 2,500–3,000 yen
Children and teens Free up to high school 1,000–1,800 yen
Nearest station Omuro-Ninnaji (Keifuku) Higashiyama (subway)

The two events overlap on Friday-to-Sunday evenings in November. Ninnaji is in north-west Kyoto and Heian Jingu is in the east, so anyone planning to visit both on the same night should allow extra travel time.

Before you go

Either event may change because of weather or religious ceremonies. Check the official websites for the latest notices before going, especially Ninnaji's closure dates and Heian Jingu's rain announcements.

Sources