Eikandō Night Maple: Illuminated Serenity, Autumn Zen

Kyoto, Japan | Eikandō Zenrin-ji Temple
📅 Night Maple Illumination: November 6 – December 3, 2025
🕖 Illumination Hours: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Last Entry: 8:00 PM)

🍂 A "Moving Amida Buddha" and a Thousand-Year Autumn Light Show

If you ask Kyoto locals, "Where is the best place to see autumn leaves?"
Nine times out of ten, their answer will be: Eikandō.

Nestled between Nanzen-ji Temple and the Philosopher's Path, this ancient Jōdo sect temple with over a thousand years of history is renowned not only for its "Mikaeri Amida" (Amida Buddha Looking Back) but also for its breathtaking illuminated autumn leaves, earning it titles like "Kyoto's Best Autumn Foliage" and "Garden of Light and Shadow."

Every November, around 3,000 maple trees turn the entire mountain into a sea of red. From the Hōjō Pond to the Tahōtō Pagoda, from the corridors to the main hall, the interplay of lights and maple leaves creates a dynamic painting of a Buddhist paradise.

You can hear the soft rustle of fallen leaves underfoot and see the reflection of lights and maple leaves blending in the pond. When the wind blows, the fleeting interplay of light and shadow feels like the breath of Buddha.

🏯 The "Zen Autumn" of a Thousand-Year-Old Temple

Eikandō's history dates back to 853 AD. Originally named "Zenrin-ji," meaning "Forest of Zen," it is said that a monk named Yōkan once saw the Amida Buddha turn to gaze at all beings. Since then, the temple's Buddha statue has been known as "Mikaeri Amida"—a slightly turned figure symbolizing compassionate retrospection.

On autumn nights, the soft light of the Buddha Hall, the flickering maple forest, and the illuminated ancient stone steps make visitors feel as if they are walking through a time tunnel under the Buddha's gaze, gradually finding inner peace.

🌕 Three Night Maple Highlights: Reflections, Shadows, and Silhouettes

🍂 Hōjō Pond's Mirror of Maple Leaves
Under the lights, the pond reflects the fiery red leaves of the mountain. Each fallen leaf seems like a floating star. Photography enthusiasts call it "Kyoto's most beautiful night maple reflection spot."

🍂 Shadows Above the Tahōtō Pagoda
Climbing the stone steps to the pagoda offers a panoramic view of Kyoto's nightscape. The gentle breeze sways the maple leaves, framing the pagoda's shadow with the starlit sky—a serene romance of the autumn night.

🍂 Light and Silhouettes in the Corridors
The temple's wooden corridors wind and twist, with light cascading like flowing water. The interplay of human and leaf shadows slows down time itself.

🛕 Recommended Itinerary (Suitable for Independent Travelers or Guided Tours)

【Arrive Before Dusk】
Walk 15 minutes from Keage Station on the subway or stroll along the Philosopher's Path, where the maple scenery gradually unfolds.

🕕【Enter Before Sunset】
Eikandō at dusk offers the softest interplay of light and shadow. Arrive early to avoid the nighttime crowds.

🌃【Main Night Maple Viewing】
Stroll around Hōjō Pond and climb the Tahōtō Pagoda for a panoramic view. Recommended photo spots: the bridge facing Hōjō Pond & the vantage point overlooking from the pagoda.

🍵【Post-Viewing Tea Break】
Traditional tea houses outside the temple offer a place to rest. Try matcha or roasted tea ice cream. Sipping hot tea under the night sky is the most authentic Kyoto autumn experience.

🚗 Practical Information

🎟 Admission: Special Night Viewing Ticket ¥1,000 (includes illumination event)
⏰ Hours: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Last Entry: 8:00 PM)
🚉 Access: 15-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line; or take a city bus to "Nanzen-ji Eikandō-michi."
📸 Suggested Items: Tripod, hand warmers, warm coat.

🍁【Kyoto Night Maple Exclusive | Eikandō + Nanzen-ji One-Day Tour】
Includes round-trip transportation | Chinese-speaking guide | Temple admission | Photography guidance

✨ Highlights:
✅ In-depth night maple experience without rushing
✅ Chinese commentary on the cultural background of "Mikaeri Amida"
✅ Exclusive tea house maple viewing, avoiding crowded routes

🎟 Book Now → 【Ctrip Product Link】
※ Limited to autumn season; some dates require advance reservations. Booking at least 7 days in advance is recommended.

🍂 Why Eikandō is "Kyoto's Most Spiritual Maple Temple"

Unlike other famous maple spots like Kiyomizu-dera or Arashiyama, Eikandō's charm lies in its "quiet grandeur."

Here, there are no noisy tourist crowds or neon-lit commercial streets—only lights, maple leaves, and the whispers of a thousand-year-old temple.

Kyoto locals say:

"If you want to calm your mind while viewing maple leaves, go to Eikandō;
If you want to feel the resonance of light and heart, also go to Eikandō."

In that moment, you'll realize you're not just "viewing maple leaves" but engaging in a dialogue with time and yourself.

📷 Photography Tips

1️⃣ Golden Hour for Light and Shadow: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM, when the sky still holds residual light and the illumination is at its softest.
2️⃣ Recommended Lenses: Switch between wide-angle and portrait for stunning reflection effects.
3️⃣ Outfit Suggestions: Light-colored kimonos or dark-toned coats create a striking contrast with the maple leaves and lighting.

🏮 Conclusion

Autumn in Kyoto is like an ancient book exuding the fragrance of ink, and Eikandō is its most breathtaking chapter.

In the night where soft light and maple leaves intertwine, you'll see the light falling on the leaves and on your heart. That tranquility and warmth are the true essence of Kyoto's night maple experience.