Shoren-in Temple - Special Night Light-Up

From October 25  to  December 8, 2013

In Spring and Autumn, there are several temples which you can enjoy beautiful night light up in Kyoto, among them the exotic light illusion at Shoren-in Temple" is outstanding!!

Winter will be started from December, so not so cold yet in Oct or Nov. The best season must be at around the end of November for the full Autumn colors like the picture below, but October also would be nice in the comfortable Autumn breeze.

At night, during the light show, the place appears to transform into a mysterious world—trees and flowers fading in the darkness, the five grand camphor trees (national natural monuments) majestically lit up, and a mandala of light, projected on the moss garden. It appears as if the pure and sacred land comes to life. Enjoy the goodness of this holy environment.

Shoren-in temple is one of the five Monzeki temples, meaning the head priests originally belonged to the imperial family. So the look of the temple is solemn and peaceful like Imperial Palace...

This temple is very famous for its breathtaking night light up show of the garden.









Shorenin temple is dedicated to the Shijoko Nyorai (Buddha).

The Shijoko Nyorai signifies Light itself, and Fudomyo-o, one of his embodiments, is followed by fire. Thus, particularly light is regarded as being divine.

So these show is intended to recreate the graceful and elegant image of the temple itself which at times served as a seat of emperor.

Right after you step in, its mysterious world will spread in front of you! Welcome its pure and sacred land...





















Especially, you would be amazed the circular pond is to be magnificently lit up!!


Opening Hours:
(Day session)    9am to 5pm (entry accepted until 4:30pm)
(Night session)  6pm to 10pm(entry accepted until 9:30pm)

Admission fees:
Adults - 800yen (for night session)
* In the day time you can be offered Matcha green tea at the temple if you pay extra 500yen.

Bonfires Festival on Five Mountains

Summer in Kyoto, after big Gion Festival, we will have another special and important festival, not in the day time, but at night!

This is called, "Gozan no Okuribi"



In the evening of August 16th, large bonfires are lit on five of Kyoto's surrounding mountains.

At that night you see the burning letters appear to float in the sky.

This is a Buddhist event held on the last day of O-bon.






"O-bon" is the four-day from 13th to 16th of Aug. In these days, families usually go back to their parent's house to have the time together to welcome back the spirits of their ancestors, hold memorial services for them, and see ancestor's spirits off to the Under World.






"Daimonji", Big




Each Kanji is lit one by one in order from the east to the west from around eight in the evening.



"Ho", Doctrine






Some of the strokes in these Kanji are more than 100 meters long!







"Myo", Lotus Sutra










"Torii", Shrine gate









"Fune", Ship











Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to enjoy the five mountains view at once, but you can try one of them from these good view area. From the access, most recommendable area is below.

* around Demachi-Yanagi Station (Keihan-line)
- at Kamo O-Hashi Bridge or along the Kamo Gawa River

* In the Kyoto Imperial Palace
- It's crowded but it's huge area, so very recommendable to enjoy the view.







Another special night festival on this day will be held at Arashiyama Koen Park, too.



Floating Lantern Festival
- It's held every year from sunset to 9pm. Very romantic view.


the Gozan Okuribi is called one of the four great events of Kyoto. The Okuribi are also believed to protect against evils. In addition, drinking water whose surface reflected the light of the Gozan no Okuribi is believed to prevent paralysis.