Most of the temple and shrines in Kyoto close around the sunset, so it’s rare to enter the inside of them at night. But recently many of them change their style. They hold illumination events at night, and the historic buildings and gardens are lit up so you can see them in a completely new light. Many of these illumination events are held only during spring and autumn, so don’t miss this chance to see these events. In this article, you can find out the night illumination event that takes place in March.
Special Night Entrance at Kodaiji Temple
Kodaiji Temple is located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District. The temple was established in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s greatest historical figures, by Hideyoshi’s wife Nene who is also enshrined at the temple. Many cultural figures or wives of samurai gather together at that time.
The temple remains the buildings and gardens constructed in the lavish style of the era of Japan’s unification. They feature richly decorated interiors and are surrounded by beautiful Zen gardens. It has the main hall “Kaizan-do”, the impressive gardens designed by Master Kobori, and the tea room relocated from Fushimi castle. You can see and feel the atmosphere of the Momoyama era.
You can see some dragons on the site because a dragon is considered as a guardian of Buddhism. We recommend you to the seeling at Kaizan-do and the reflection of a pond at Garyo-rou garden which projects the roof looks like a back of a dragon.
A night illumination show gets popular in Kyoto these days and the Kodaiji Temple is the first one. The gardens are lit up during special illumination shows in spring, from March 6th. The project mapping in the garden is very popular and so impressive.
Kodaiji Temple accepts a wide range of values so it is a technological-friendly temple. They developed an android Knnon (a Buddhist deity) and placed it at Kyoka hall.
Stop-By Entokuin Temple
Entokuin Temple is a subtemple of Kodaiji Temple that features two more Zen gardens. It takes about a 2-minute walk from Kodaiji Temple and a less crowded spot in Kyoto.
The temple holds a lit up event during the same term of Kodaiji Temple. The North garden is lit up beautifully and you can see the typical style garden of the Momoyama era. The garden makes you relaxed and fascinated by the beauty of it.
【Information: Kodaiji Temple】
Special Night Entrance at Kodaiji Temple
Term:
March 6th ~ May 6th, 2020
Address:
526 Shimokawara Cho, Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto, 605-0825
Time:
9:00~22:00 (Lit up after the sunset / Close Reception 21:30)
Access:
A 10-minute walk from “Higashiyamayasui” bus stop on the City Bus #206 at Kyoto Station
Admission Fee:
600 yen (Adult), 250 yen (Older than 12-year old )
*Discount for 3 places (Kodaiji temple, Kodaiji sho museum and Entokuin temple) 900 yen
【Information: Entokuin Temple】
Special Night Entrance at Kodaiji Temple
Term:
March 6th ~ May 6th, 2020
Address:
530 Shimokawara Cho, Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto, 605-0825
Time:
10:00~22:00 (Lit up after the sunset / Close Reception 21:30)
Access:
A 7-minute walk from “Higashiyamayasui” bus stop on the City Bus #206 at Kyoto Station
Admission Fee:
500 yen (Adult), 200 yen (Older than 12-year old )
*Discount for 3 places (Kodaiji temple, Kodaiji sho museum and Entokuin temple) 900 yen
