Kyoto in November: Temple Hours, Events, and What to Pack

We operate the Maiko & Zen Kyoto experience mentioned in this guide.

Kyoto in November at a Glance

November is the month when many Kyoto temples change their schedules, so a good plan starts with dates rather than a list of sights. Practical details below come from official temple and tourism pages checked in October 2026. Event dates in particular change from year to year, so confirm them before you go.

The autumn leaf period in November is not fixed, and Tofuku-ji notes that its autumn viewing dates and hours change every year. Treat any date in this guide as a starting point and check the official page for your own trip.

Below you will find the dated changes, three sample days, a half day in the south, and packing advice. For a longer plan, see our Kyoto itinerary.

What Changes in Kyoto in November

Tofuku-ji changes its schedule on November 14. This autumn, from November 14 to December 6, the Tsutenkyo Bridge is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and the Hojo gardens from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the gates closing at 4:30 pm. In that period the Tsutenkyo and Kaisando ticket costs 1,000 yen for adults, and the combined ticket with the Hojo gardens is not sold. Until November 13, the temple is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Hojo gardens cost 600 yen for adults from November 1, 2026. During the autumn special opening, visitors may be asked not to take photos on Tsutenkyo and Gaun bridges. For the full picture of the temple, see our Tofuku-ji guide.

Sanjusangendo also changes in the middle of the month: it is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm through November 15 and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from November 16, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Ginkaku-ji keeps its March to November schedule of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm until November 30, and switches to 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on December 1. At Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama, the garden opens from 7:30 am on November 14 to 30, 2026, instead of 8:30 am.

Kiyomizu-dera lists an autumn night viewing from November 21 to 30, 2026, when it is open until 9:30 pm with last entry at 9:00 pm, and the dates change every year. In Arashiyama, the Bamboo Light-up is listed for 30 Sep to 08 Nov 2026. Daylight fades quickly, so keep the sights for the day and choose one illumination for the evening rather than several.

For a cultural event, the public Gion Odori dance performances are listed for November 1 to 10, 2026, at the Gion Kaikan Theater. Our guide to Kyoto's public geisha dances explains how that kind of performance works.

Three Sample Days in November

East Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera is usually open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, so it works as a first stop. City Bus 106 runs year-round to Sanjusangendo, where adult admission is 600 yen. Ginkaku-ji charges 1,000 yen for adults. Keep the evening free if you want to return for the night viewing described above.

North Kyoto. Ryoan-ji is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm between March 1 and November 30, and adult admission is 600 yen. Kinkaku-ji is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and adult admission is 500 yen. Go in this order and you move from the dry garden of Ryoan-ji to the pond of Kinkaku-ji.

Arashiyama. Tenryu-ji is 13 minutes on foot from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line, or about 5 minutes on foot from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line. Adult admission to the garden is 500 yen, with the main halls costing 300 yen extra. If you stay for the Bamboo Light-up, plan the rest of the day around it.

A South Kyoto Half-Day in November

The stops in the south sit close together on one rail line: from Kyoto Station, the JR Nara Line reaches Tofukuji Station in about 3 minutes, and the temple is about 10 minutes on foot from there. Inari Station, for Fushimi Inari Taisha, is the next stop after Tofukuji, about 2 to 3 minutes by local train. Sanjusangendo is about 18 minutes on foot from Kyoto Station.

Ticket sales at Tofuku-ji end at 4:00 pm until November 13, and the autumn hours also end at 4:00 pm, so plan to visit the temple early in the day.

To compare formats first, see our guide to maiko experiences in Kyoto.

Add a quiet temple stop to your day. We operate Maiko & Zen Kyoto, a 90-minute session at Ikka-in, a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji, where a maiko dances in the same temple hall with no stage between you, then takes time for your questions and photos. See current session times and prices.

What to Wear and Pack

Dress in layers. Temple visits mean a lot of walking and standing outdoors, and the air can feel quite different in the sun and in the shade. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip off, since you will take them off in some temple buildings, and carry a small umbrella or a light rain jacket in case of a sudden shower.

Tofuku-ji asks visitors not to eat or drink on the grounds or use tripods, and it does not allow re-entry, so plan meals around your visit. Carry water and a small bag.

See a maiko dance at a Zen temple. We operate Maiko & Zen Kyoto, a 90-minute session at Ikka-in, a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji, where a maiko dances in the same temple hall with no stage between you, then takes time for your questions and photos. See current session times and prices.

Frequently asked questions