Kyoto Night Maple Half-Day Tour | Chion-in Temple, Yuzenen Garden, Hojo Garden, Toji Temple | Departing from Kyoto
- Visit the night illuminations at Toji Temple, a famous spot for night maple, and Chion-in Yuzenen
- Take a tour with a Japanese tour guide and experience first-hand the courtesy and kindness of Japanese service
- Depart directly from Kyoto Station and take a comfortable bus to your destination.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Luggage limit | None |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Family-friendly | Free for children under 6 (no seat) |
| Seasonal | Autumn Maple |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Temples & shrines, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
- Children under 6 years old can join for free if they do not occupy a seat. However, the bus does not provide infant safety seats and the children must be held in their arms.
- If the on-site conditions are mixed, you may not be able to visit the three-door corridor. Please understand.
【Travel Conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Kyoto, Kyoto
Number of days of travel: same day return
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: Keihan Bus Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: none
Minimum number of people in a group: 1
Team leader: 1
Tour guide: 0
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: Keihan Hatsu Co., Ltd.
Address: 5th Floor, Ishida-cho, Higashikujo Minami, Minami-ku, Kyoto City
License number: Kyoto Governor Registration Travel Industry No. 2-192
Reminders
Please go to the regular sightseeing bus window at the Karasuma Exit of Kyoto Station 15 minutes before departure, exchange your KKday voucher for a ticket, and board the bus.
You can park your car near the following locations on the return trip: ① Ritz-Carlton Royal Hotel Kyoto ② Grand Hotel Kyoto. If you need it, please inform the tour guide in advance when you get on the bus on the return trip.
All buses have reserved seats, and the exact seats will be notified on the same day. If there are few remaining seats on the day of booking and passengers need to sit separately, we will notify you at the time of booking. If there is no other notice, it means that adjacent seats have been automatically arranged for passengers. Please be informed.
The itinerary and required time may be subject to change due to weather, activities, and traffic control, please forgive us.
If you fail to check in without any notice on the day, it will be deemed as a waiver and no refund will be given.
Because the tour guide is Japanese, he can only communicate in Japanese. However, a notice board will clearly indicate the gathering time and location of each attraction. Please be sure to confirm again before getting off the bus.
If the conditions on site are mixed, you may not be able to visit the three-door corridor. Please understand.
This tour is operated by a large bus, and large or small luggage can be stored in the carriage. Please remember to collect it when you get off the bus.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 8 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 5% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
During the night maple season, Chion-in Temple offers a captivating illumination experience, primarily focused on its Yuzenen Garden and Hojo Garden. Visitors can marvel at the vibrant autumn leaves beautifully lit against the night sky, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. The reflections in the garden's pond add an extra layer of beauty, making it a unique spectacle compared to daytime viewing.
Yes, a special admission fee is typically required to access Chion-in Temple's grounds for the night maple viewing during the illumination period. This fee covers the special evening opening and lighting arrangements. You can secure your entry conveniently by booking through KKday, which often integrates these tickets into comprehensive tour packages, ensuring a seamless experience without needing to purchase tickets separately upon arrival.
Toji Temple is renowned for its stunning night maple illuminations, especially with its iconic five-story pagoda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as a breathtaking backdrop. The illuminated maple leaves around the temple's pond create spectacular reflections, offering visitors a unique and memorable visual experience. Its historical significance combined with the dramatic night lighting makes it a must-see.
During the night maple season, Chion-in Temple illuminates several key areas. The Yuzenen Garden, with its beautiful pond and walking paths, is a primary focus, showcasing vividly lit maple leaves. Additionally, the tranquil Hojo Garden, often featuring a dry landscape, is also beautifully highlighted, allowing visitors to experience the temple's aesthetic appeal in a unique nighttime setting.
For visitors joining a dedicated night maple illumination tour, transportation between Chion-in Temple and Toji Temple is typically handled via a comfortable tour bus. This convenient service usually departs directly from Kyoto Station, ensuring a hassle-free journey to each illuminated site without the need to navigate public transportation or search for taxis during the evening.
A knowledgeable tour guide, often a Japanese guide as part of the experience, enhances the night maple viewing by providing valuable cultural context and historical insights about both Chion-in Temple and Toji Temple. They can explain the significance of the illuminations, point out specific architectural details or garden elements, and share stories that deepen your appreciation of these iconic Kyoto sites.
Visitors typically spend around 60 to 90 minutes exploring the night illuminations at Chion-in Temple. This duration allows ample time to leisurely stroll through the illuminated Yuzenen Garden and Hojo Garden, appreciate the main hall's exterior lighting, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere without feeling rushed, ensuring a comprehensive viewing experience.
To potentially avoid the largest crowds when viewing the night maple illuminations at Toji Temple, consider arriving either right at the opening time or closer to the closing time. Weekdays generally experience fewer visitors compared to weekends, offering a more serene viewing experience. Additionally, checking local crowd forecasts or visiting early in the illumination period might help.
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