Light for your eyes, and for your heart
Behind the brilliance of Kyoto’s many well-known sights lies even more yet unknown places to visit, many of them quiet and mysterious.
Since ancient times, one area nestled deep in the mountains of the Kyoto Nishiyama area has carefully preserved traditions of religious practice and prayer. This autumn, Yanagidani Kannon will illuminate its garden in fall colors, and the Kami-Shoin (Upper Guest Hall) will be made open to the public, in addition to the Take-Akari event.
Visiting to see the brilliant fall colors far from the bustling Kyoto crowds will feel like stepping into another world. The spectacle of color and the surrounding silence will offer a magical moment unlike anything our daily lives have to offer.
Come and feel the weight lift off your heart as you enjoy the interweaving of light and darkness in this hidden part of Kyoto.
Highlights
- Special viewing of the Kami-Shoin
- Illuminations of the garden in fall colors and the Kami-Shoin by lighting designer Yuki Ogawa
- Flower-filled water basins and bamboo lantern collaborative displays
Yanagidani Kannon (Yokokuji Temple) is well known for healing eye ailments and its flower-filler ritual water basins. Here you can enjoy both the gardens illuminated in their fall colors and the magical bamboo lanterns.
Along with the illumination of the Jodoen garden (designated by Kyoto Prefecture as a place of scenic beauty) lighting designer Yuki Ogawa, bamboo lanterns will be scattered throughout the temple grounds, and the Jodoen garden itself will be opened especially for the event. A reading of the sutra by the head priest will also be held during the event.
Yanagidani Kannon (Yokokuji Temple)
Add: Nagaokakyo city, Jododani, Donotani 2
Dates: 2025, November 21st (Fri) – 24th (Mon, Public hol.), 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun), 18:00-20:30
Admission: Adults ¥2,000, Free for High School Students and younger
JR Tokai Pick-up & Dropoff Plan
A free shuttle bus service to and from Yoshiminedera Temple and Yanagidani Kannon (Yokokuji Temple) will be operating exclusively for passengers with EX Tickets on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Dates: November 22nd (Sat) – 24th (Mon, Public hol), 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun)
Route: JR Nagaokakyo Station — Yanagidani Kannon (return trip)
Detailed information including arrival and departure times and number of vehicles can be found on the JR Tokai homepage below (Japanese only).
https://souda-kyoto.jp/other/bamboo_night2025 (Japanese only)
MK Travel Pick-up & Dropoff Plan
A round-trip taxi plan for general visitors (costs apply).
Dates available: November 21st (Fri) – 24th (Mon, Public hol), 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun)
| Time | Location |
| 17:30 | JR Nagaokakyo Station (Departure) |
| 17:50 | Hankyu Nishiyama-Tennozan Station (Departure) |
| 18:30 | Yanagidani Kannon (Yokokuji Temple), Take-Akari event, Jodoen garden viewing, Kami-Shoin hall special viewing (approx. 90min) |
| 19:40 | Hankyu Nishiyama-Tennozan Station (Return) |
| 20:00 approx. | JR Nagaokakyo Station (Return) |
For more information on the Pick-up & Dropoff Plan, please check the MK Travel official homepage (Japanese only).
https://travel.mk-group.co.jp/tourkyoto/yokokuji-takeakari2025 (Japanese only)
A message from the head monk
Autumn gives us all special feelings. Step away from the bustle of the the city, surround yourself with the quiet beauty of Kyoto’s Nishiyama area, and spend a moment in communion with the divine.
The head monk of Yanagidani Kannon (Yokokuji Temple)
Shunei Kusaka