Hotels near Eikan-do Zenrin-ji

Eikan-do is widely rated Kyoto's finest autumn temple on sheer volume, with something in the order of 3,000 maples across a hillside site. The 2026 dates are confirmed and unusually precise: the autumn treasure exhibition runs 11 November to 6 December, 9:00 to 16:00 at 1,500 yen, and the illumination runs 20 November to 6 December, 17:30 to 20:30 at 1,000 yen.

Read those two lines carefully, because the grounds are cleared between them and one ticket does not carry over. Seeing Eikan-do Zenrin-ji by day and by night in 2026 costs 2,500 yen, about 13.50 EUR, and means leaving and queuing again. The night queue on the Philosopher's Path side regularly runs 30 to 60 minutes, and the illuminated pond area is small enough to become a shuffling one-way loop. No reservation is needed for either session.

Pro Tip: Pick one session, not both. Choose the daytime exhibition if you want to climb to the Tahoto pagoda and look back over the maples; choose the illumination only if you are prepared to join the queue by 17:15, before it forms properly.