Best position to view and take photos of Kiyomizu Temple’s autumn leaves and cherry blossom illumination

2024年2月19日

🤗Hello, I’m Irukapapa.

I went on a tour of Kyoto and Nara to see the beautiful autumn leaves using the “Go to Travle Campaign.”

In today’s blog post, we will introduce the best position to see Kiyomizu-dera’s autumn leaves illuminated. I would be very happy if this blog could be helpful for your trip to Kyoto and Nara.

So, let’s go on a journey of dreams and adventures! Here we go!

[Okunoin Stage] Best position to view and take photos of Kiyomizu Temple’s autumn leaves illumination

View from Okunoin
View from Okunoin

What is the best position to take stunning photos of Kiyomizu Temple illuminated with autumn leaves?

“Okunoin” stage (terrace)

is.

From here, you can see the clear water floating in a sea of clouds covered with fiery autumn leaves.

The Okunoin stage (terrace) is the best position for taking photos.
The Okunoin stage (terrace) is the best position for taking photos.

Best position to take photos with autumn leaves illuminated [Okunoin location]

How to get to Okunoin

The stage of Okunoin, the best location for Kiyomizu Temple autumn leaves illumination photography
The stage of Okunoin, the best location for Kiyomizu Temple autumn leaves illumination photography

Okunoin is located on the east side across the valley from Shimizu no Butai.

How to get to Okunoin

  1. Come up from the Niomon gate and pass the Shimizu stage.
  2. Go around the west side of Shimizu’s stage and exit the building.
  3. Don’t go down into the valley, take the path on the left.
  4. Go around the north side of the valley and exit in front of Shakado.
  5. Pass through Amida-do Hall, which is located to the south of Shakado-do Hall.
  6. Arrived at Okunoin Temple, south of Amida-do Hall.
Okunoin Temple and the Amida-do Hall next to it
Okunoin Temple and the Amida-do Hall next to it

Night viewing during the autumn foliage season, when 1,000 autumn leaves are illuminated, is very popular. In particular, the best photo shooting positions at Okunoin Temple will be very crowded, so please be prepared.

Amida-do Hall and Okuno-in Temple seen from halfway down the stairs to the valley
Amida-do Hall and Okuno-in Temple seen from halfway down the stairs to the valley

If you enter Kiyomizu-dera Temple before the illuminations begin, there will be no night viewing fee. If you have time, go early to secure a good spot.

However, even if you go during busy hours, if you wait patiently, you will always get the best position. There’s no need to rush.

*Crowd levels vary depending on the day of the week and the weather.

How to purchase light-up viewing fees and tickets

Shimizu stage and autumn leaves seen from Okunoin
Shimizu stage and autumn leaves seen from Okunoin

I went to see Kiyomizu-dera Temple at night during the spring cherry blossom season and the fall foliage season.

To view the cherry blossoms at night, you will have to wait in front of the Niomon gate until the park opens. Then, when the time comes, buy a ticket from the person at the front of the line and head to the best position. The end of the line extends far down Shimizuzaka.

Niomon gate illuminated. You will have to wait for the cherry blossom illumination in front of here, but for the autumn leaves illumination you can go all the way to the back.
Niomon gate illuminated. You will have to wait for the cherry blossom illumination in front of here, but for the autumn leaves illumination you can go all the way to the back.

For the autumn leaves illumination, you can purchase tickets in advance and wait in the park until the illumination time. Tickets are sold at the building across from Kaizando. Therefore, if you go early, you can secure the best position on the terrace of Okunoin.

Also, as mentioned above, you can enter the park for the daytime admission fee and wait until the illumination time.

In this case, there is no night viewing fee. What’s more, you can secure the best position before night viewing tickets go on sale. How far in advance you can definitely secure your spot will depend on the day of the week, the weather, and the state of the fall foliage that year.

Photo of Kiyomizu-dera temple illuminated with autumn leaves

The view from Amida-do Hall, located to the north of Okuno-in Temple.

Stairs going down to the valley.

Shimizu's stage seen from halfway down the stairs.
Shimizu’s stage seen from halfway down the stairs.

Shimizu stage and illuminated autumn leaves.

Shimizu stage and illuminated autumn leaves.

There are also maple trees that have not turned red.

Illumination of the five-storied pagoda and autumn leaves.

🤗This concludes “Best positions to view and take photos of Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s autumn foliage illumination and how to get there on foot.” Thank you for reading to the end this time.

I would be very happy if this blog article was helpful for your trip to Kyoto and Nara.