Toji Temple, with its five-story pagoda, the symbol of Kyoto, is also called Kyo-oh-gokoku-ji Temple and is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, with a history of over 1200 years since its construction in 796. It was registered as a World Heritage site in 1994, and is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist attractions, attracting many visitors every year.
Toji Temple has many buildings and works of art designated as national treasures and important cultural properties, but the seasonal flowers that bloom on the temple grounds are also an attraction. Especially in autumn, the “Autumn Leaves Illuminated and Night Special Viewing of Kondo and Kodo Halls” is held every year, and during the period of the event, young tourists, including landscape photographers and young people aiming to capture the fantastic scene on Instagram, join the tourists in fierce competition to get a spot on the grounds.
This article briefly summarizes information on Toji Temple’s annual autumn foliage light-up, which is held every year in autumn. In the latter half of the article, I will show you all the images I took there, so please refer to them when you visit the annual autumn foliage light-up…
Basic information about Toji Temple: Fall Foliage Light-up and Special Night-time Viewing of Kondo Hall and Kodo Hall
Location: Toji Temple
Address：1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-8473
Dates：Every year from early November to early December
Hours: 18:00 – 21:00 (reception closes at 21:00)
Holidays: Open every day during the above period
Admission: Adults 1000 yen, Junior high school students and younger 500 yen
The reception desk is located at Keigamon Gate on the northeast side of Toji Temple, about 15 minutes on foot from the Hachijo Exit of JR Kyoto Station. If you are physically fit, it is more economical to walk from Kyoto Station, as you do not have to pay extra train fare.
A collection of images taken at the Toji Temple Autumn Leaves Illuminated and Kondo and Kodo Hall Special Nighttime Viewing!
I will now show you a total of 18 images of the illuminated autumn foliage that I took one evening at Toji Temple during the “Kondo and Kodo Special Nighttime Viewing. I hope this will be helpful for those of you who are thinking of visiting the illumination of autumn leaves. Please take a look!
Incidentally, you can see the fantastic five-story pagoda illuminated from the pedestrian bridge over the Kujo Omiya intersection on the southwest corner of Toji Temple. It is in the opposite direction from the station, but if you have time to spare, please visit here as well…
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