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03KYOTO NOW / CULTURAL INDEX

Only here for a while

Festivals, rituals and seasonal moments worth planning around.

Kyoto autumn leaves & illuminations 2026

02Date index

Kyoto Now

Only While You’re Here

Dates are in Japan time. Schedules may change; check event details before visiting.

Your stayNov 4, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026
  1. 01Date index

    Nov 4 — Dec 428 scheduled datesScheduled today

    Seika Yamaga 140th Anniversary Exhibition

    Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

    Nearest station: Subway Higashiyama · 8 min walk

    Time: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    A textile retrospective bringing rockets and Tokyo Tower into traditional craft.

  2. Nov 4 — Nov 8Closing soon

    Dreamlike Arashiyama Moonlight Path

    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Nearest station: JR Saga-Arashiyama · 10 min walk / Randen Arashiyama · 10 min walk / Hankyu Arashiyama · 15 min walk

    Time: 6:00–9:00 PM

    Official site

    Around 1 km of bamboo paths lit by handcrafted lanterns and immersive art installations.

  3. Nov 4 — Dec 428 scheduled datesScheduled today

    Zen and Ghibli

    Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum, Higashiyama Cube

    Nearest station: Subway Higashiyama · 8 min walk

    Time: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    A Ghibli exhibition that uses Zen as a way to look at the works.

  4. Nov 4 — Dec 4Scheduled today

    Kobe Illuminage 2026 — Starlight Dream

    Kobe Fruit Flower Park Osawa, Kita Ward, Kobe

    Time: 5:00–10:00 PM; lights 5:30–9:30 PM, last entry 9:30 PM

    Official site

    Light tunnels, palace-like installations and a dog-friendly area fill the seasonal outdoor exhibition.

  5. Nov 4 — Nov 23Scheduled today

    Expo '70 Park Autumn Rose Festa 2026

    Peace Rose Garden, Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Suita, Osaka Prefecture

    Time: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM; park last entry 4:30 PM

    Official site

    The seasonal rose festival presents the Peace Rose Garden's autumn blooms.

  6. Nov 4 — Nov 9Closing soon

    The 78th Shosoin Exhibition

    Nara National Museum, Nara City

    Time: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; Fri/Sat/Sun/public holidays until 8:00 PM; last entry one hour earlier

    Official site

    A short annual exhibition brings selected Shosoin treasures to the Nara National Museum.

  7. Nov 4 — Nov 8Closing soon

    Tōrin-in: Bontō Lantern Night

    Tōrin-in, a subtemple of Myoshin-ji

    Time: 6:00–8:30 PM (last reception 8:00 PM)

    Official site

    About 800 candles and the abbot’s handmade Bontō lights softly illuminate the white-sand and moss gardens.

  8. Nov 4 — Dec 4Ongoing

    Midosuji Illumination 2026

    Midosuji, Hanshin-mae to Namba-nishiguchi, Osaka

    Time: Around 5:00 PM–1:00 AM the following day

    Official site

    A seasonal illuminated avenue stretches about four kilometres through central Osaka.

  9. Nov 5 — Nov 8Next date

    Myoren-ji: Marugoto Museum

    Myoren-ji Temple, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

    Time: Day 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (last 4:00 PM); night 6:00–8:30 PM (last 8:00 PM)

    Official site

    A temple-wide art event combines a historic 16-Arhat stone garden, Tōhaku-school sliding screens and contemporary works, with evening illumination.

  10. Nov 6 — Dec 411 scheduled datesNext date

    Shogoin Autumn Opening: Emperor Go-Mizunoo

    Shogoin Monzeki, Sakyo-ku

    Nearest station: Keihan Jingu-Marutamachi · 12 min walk

    Time: 10:00–16:00 (last reception)

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    Imperial calligraphy and Kano-school paintings inside normally closed halls.

  11. Nov 6 — Nov 8Starts today

    CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2026

    Myoken-ji, Honpo-ji and Myokaku-ji, Nishijin, Kyoto

    Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM; Nov 8 until 5:00 PM

    Official site

    Thirty-three galleries bring contemporary art, craft and antiques into three Nishijin temples.

  12. Nov 6 — Nov 7Starts today

    Kobe Foreign Settlement Terrace Days 2026

    Nakamachi Street and former Kobe Settlement SMBC building plaza, Kobe

    Time: Nov 6: street 11:00 AM–8:00 PM, plaza 3:00–8:00 PM; Nov 7: both 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

    Official site

    Two days of outdoor terraces bring food, drinks and street life to Kobe's historic settlement.

  13. Nov 7 — Nov 299 scheduled datesNext date

    Rokko Hikari no Mori — Night Art Walk 2026

    ROKKO Forest Sound Museum and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Kobe

    Time: 5:00–8:00 PM; passport sales end 7:00 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    A weekend-and-holiday night programme places light artworks in two mountain gardens.

  14. Nov 7 — Nov 8Next date

    Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival 2026

    Participating buildings across Kyoto City

    Time: Oct 31–Nov 1, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM; Nov 7–8, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (building hours vary)

    Official site

    A citywide passport event opens selected modern buildings and normally closed spaces for self-guided visits on four public-access days.

  15. Nov 7 — Nov 284 scheduled datesNext date

    Kofuku-ji Tokondo Special Night Visit 2026

    Tokondo Hall, Kofuku-ji, Nara City

    Time: 5:30–9:00 PM; last reception 8:45 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    Selected Saturday evenings open Tokondo's Buddhist sculpture collection after daytime visiting ends.

  16. Nov 7 — Nov 29Starts today

    Expo '70 Park Maple Festival 2026

    Japanese Garden and Maple Valley, Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Suita, Osaka Prefecture

    Time: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM; last entry 4:30 PM

    Official site

    An autumn festival connects the park's maple valley and Japanese garden with seasonal programmes.

  17. Nov 7 — Nov 212 scheduled datesLimited dates

    Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026

    Meriken Park waterfront, Kobe

    Time: 6:00 PM; approximately 5 minutes

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    A short, free fireworks display makes an easy addition to a Kobe waterfront evening.

  18. Nov 7 — Dec 426 scheduled datesNext date

    Suma Rikyu Maple Viewing and Lumiere 2026

    Suma Rikyu Park, Suma Ward, Kobe

    Time: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; weekends/public holidays until 8:00 PM; last entry 30 minutes before closing

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    Autumn maples, roses and weekend fountain illumination combine in the former villa park.

  19. Nov 7 — Dec 4Starts today

    KOBE UMIAKARI 2026

    Kobe Harborland and Metro Kobe, Kobe

    Time: Lighting and event hours vary by facility

    Official site

    A seasonal programme links winter illumination around Harborland and Metro Kobe.

  20. Nov 7 — Nov 284 scheduled datesNext date

    Gango-ji Special Night Visit 2026

    Gango-ji, Naramachi, Nara City

    Time: 6:00–8:00 PM; last reception 7:45 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    Four Saturday nights offer a focused visit to Gango-ji's historic hall and museum treasures.

  21. Nov 7 — Nov 284 scheduled datesNext date

    Kasuga Taisha Night Visit and Mantoro 2026

    Kasuga Taisha main sanctuary, Nara City

    Time: 5:30–8:00 PM; last reception 7:45 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    Four special Saturday evenings illuminate the shrine's hanging lanterns for a sanctuary visit.

  22. Nov 11 — Nov 16Starts today

    Umeda Flea Market 2026

    Hankyu Umeda Main Store 9F event hall and Shukusai Plaza, Osaka

    Time: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Nov 16 until 5:00 PM

    Official site

    An indoor flea-market event gathers vintage homeware, textiles and small discoveries in Umeda.

  23. Nov 14 — Nov 235 scheduled datesNext date

    Murin-an: Twilight Garden Party 2026

    Murin-an Garden, Okazaki, Kyoto

    Time: Nov 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23 · 5:30–7:30 PM or 7:30–9:30 PM

    Official site
    See scheduled dates

    A reservation-limited evening garden visit includes a 15-minute introduction and a café drink and sweet.

  24. Nov 20 — Dec 4Starts today

    Osaka Castle Illuminage 2026

    Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka

    Time: 5:00–10:00 PM; lights until 9:30 PM, last entry 9:30 PM

    Official site

    A winter light exhibition adds illuminated historical scenes to Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden.

Limited events

Kyoto Now

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Seasonal calendar

13 / JST
  1. Seika Yamaga 140th Anniversary Exhibition

    Seasonal moment

    A 140th-anniversary retrospective of textile artist Seika Yamaga, weaving rockets and Tokyo Tower into traditional craft.

    Opening hours
    10:00 AM–6:00 PM
    Address
    Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
    Nearest station
    Subway Higashiyama · 8 min walk
    Admission
    Adults ¥1,800; university/vocational/high-school students ¥1,300; junior-high students and younger free. Advance sales ended.
    Reservation
    No mandatory timed reservation is stated. Advance sales ended Sep 18; use current admission tickets.
    Official site
  2. Zen and Ghibli

    Seasonal moment

    A Ghibli exhibition that uses Zen as a way to look at works including The Boy and the Heron.

    Opening hours
    10:00 AM–6:00 PM
    Address
    Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum, Higashiyama Cube
    Nearest station
    Subway Higashiyama · 8 min walk
    Admission
    Same-day: adults/university ¥1,900; middle/high-school ¥1,500; elementary-school ¥1,100; preschool children free. ¥3,200 advance pair ticket ended Oct 2.
    Reservation
    The official FAQ lists same-day venue tickets. Pair-ticket presale ended Oct 2 at 23:59; priority reservations may be introduced if crowded.
    Official site
  3. Seasonal moment

    See the mossy Na-chu garden attributed to Sen no Rikyu and normally restricted interiors.

    Opening hours
    10:00 AM–3:45 PM (last reception)
    Address
    Oubai-in, Daitokuji Temple
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Adults ¥1,000; middle/high-school ¥500; elementary-school and younger free with guardian. Cash only.
    Reservation
    Official notices list no booking channel or deadline; confirm with organizer before group visits.
    Official site
  4. Kobe Illuminage 2026 — Starlight Dream

    Seasonal moment

    The 2026 Starlight Dream theme includes heart tunnels, a butterfly swing and illuminated palace scenes.

    Opening hours
    5:00–10:00 PM; lights 5:30–9:30 PM, last entry 9:30 PM
    Address
    Kobe Fruit Flower Park Osawa, Kita Ward, Kobe
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Standard adult ¥2,000; child ages 1 through elementary school ¥1,000; pet ¥500. Priority tickets: adult ¥3,000, child ¥2,000. These prices do not cover Dec 31.
    Reservation
    Standard same-day tickets are sold at the venue. Official partner ticket links are listed by the organizer; sales periods differ by channel and current inventory is unverified.
    Official site
  5. Seasonal moment

    About 350 maples line Hideyoshi's historic rampart; the Kamiya River and vermilion Uguisu Bridge frame the scenery.

    Opening hours
    Day 9 AM–4 PM; light-up dusk–8 PM
    Address
    Odoi Historic Earthen Rampart, Kitano Tenmangu
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Adults/middle-school and older ¥1,500; children ¥700; preschool free. Includes a Hideyoshi tea-gathering sweet.
    Reservation
    The official event page does not list a booking channel or deadline.
    Official site
  6. Midosuji Illumination 2026

    Seasonal moment

    Walk a chosen section of the illuminated ginkgo-lined avenue and connect several central districts.

    Opening hours
    Around 5:00 PM–1:00 AM the following day
    Address
    Midosuji, Hanshin-mae to Namba-nishiguchi, Osaka
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Free admission.
    Reservation
    The official announcement does not state a reservation requirement or deadline.
    Official site
  7. Shogoin Autumn Opening: Emperor Go-Mizunoo

    Seasonal moment

    Imperial calligraphy, Kano-school paintings and the normally closed shoin. Traditional craft display also runs October 22–25.

    Opening hours
    10:00–16:00 (last reception)
    Address
    Shogoin Monzeki, Sakyo-ku
    Nearest station
    Keihan Jingu-Marutamachi · 12 min walk
    Admission
    Adults ¥800; secondary-school and university students ¥600; elementary-school children and younger free with a guardian.
    Reservation
    Individuals need no reservation. Groups of 10 or more must book through Kyoto Shunju; deadline not announced.
    Official site
  8. Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026

    Seasonal moment

    A compact waterfront display provides a seasonal fireworks option outside the summer festival season.

    Opening hours
    6:00 PM; approximately 5 minutes
    Address
    Meriken Park waterfront, Kobe
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Free admission for viewing.
    Reservation
    The official announcement does not state a reservation requirement or deadline.
    Official site
  9. Seasonal moment

    Around 600 Japanese maples and seasonal roses share the park with an illuminated fountain area on extended-opening nights.

    Opening hours
    9:00 AM–5:00 PM; weekends/public holidays until 8:00 PM; last entry 30 minutes before closing
    Address
    Suma Rikyu Park, Suma Ward, Kobe
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Adult ¥400; primary/junior-high pupils ¥200. Tea and other special programmes cost extra.
    Reservation
    The official announcement does not state a reservation requirement or deadline.
    Official site
  10. Craft & market

    Seasonal market stalls, botanical Christmas displays and a tall redwood tree make this more than an ordinary garden visit.

    Opening hours
    Market 10:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fridays/weekends/public holidays until 8:00 PM; daily until 8:00 PM Dec 11–28
    Address
    Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens, Kobe
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Adult return-ropeway plus garden package ¥3,300; child ¥1,650. Food, shopping and separate activities cost extra.
    Reservation
    Admission/ropeway tickets are required; web ticketing is available. A universal advance-booking deadline is not published; current ticket inventory has not been checked.
    Official site
  11. KOBE UMIAKARI 2026

    Seasonal moment

    Plan a waterfront walk between different facilities' winter illuminations rather than expecting a single gated light show.

    Opening hours
    Lighting and event hours vary by facility
    Address
    Kobe Harborland and Metro Kobe, Kobe
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    A unified admission fee is not published in the official announcement; paid facilities and programmes may charge separately.
    Reservation
    The official announcement does not state a reservation requirement or deadline.
    Official site
  12. Osaka Castle Illuminage 2026

    Seasonal moment

    Castle scenery and Hideyoshi-related historical motifs form a seasonal evening route.

    Opening hours
    5:00–10:00 PM; lights until 9:30 PM, last entry 9:30 PM
    Address
    Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka
    Nearest station
    Station details on official site
    Admission
    Standard adult (junior-high and older) ¥2,000; ages 1 through elementary school ¥1,000. Priority tickets cost extra.
    Reservation
    Tickets are sold through the organizer's linked official sales partners. A universal purchase deadline is not published; current availability is unverified.
    Official site