Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji) Garden
This season's opening
Autumn evening illumination
- Hours
- Entry 17:30–20:30, gates close 21:00
- Admission
- ¥1,000 from junior-high age (separate from the ¥1,500 daytime treasure exhibition)
- Booking
- No booking
An illuminated evening viewing of the maple-filled grounds (the official notice does not list exactly what is lit). It is a separate admission from the daytime treasure exhibition (Nov 11–Dec 6); you cannot stay on from day to night
Tripods and monopods are banned throughout, selfie sticks indoors. The temple asks you to bring a bag for your shoes, as you go inside the halls, and not to come by car
About the garden
Famous as 'Eikan-do of the maples', it is one of Kyoto's most crowded temples in November. The bones of the garden, though, are Hojo Pond and the covered corridors that climb the hillside between the halls. Because you view the pond and the pagoda while walking the corridors, the scene shifts with every step you take together.
Where to stand
On the stepped Garyuro corridor most people watch their feet; stop once and look out over the rail, where hall roofs and maple canopies sit at the same height. Climb on to the Tahoto pagoda on the hillside and the whole precinct and the city fit into one view. Back at the bottom, stand on Gokuraku Bridge over Hojo Pond and look up at the pagoda you were just standing beside. That up-and-down exchange is how this garden is meant to be read.
Practical notes
In November the daytime ticket rises to ¥1,500 and the evening illumination is a separate ¥1,000 ticket; you cannot stay through from day to night. Photography outdoors is fine but tripods and monopods are banned everywhere, and selfie sticks indoors. Shoes come off inside the halls, so wear socks you are happy to be seen in.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing6 min walkfrom Konkai Komyo-ji Shiun Garden (Kurodani)🍽 FoodOkariba (game-meat izakaya)
An izakaya where every table has its own sunken hearth and wild boar or venison goes on the charcoal. After an evening viewing you can warm up by the fire until midnight. Your coat will smell of smoke, and it is cash only.
Order：Charcoal-grilled wild boar
- 1 min walk🍡 SweetsMikaeri Chaya (inside Eikan-do)
A tea stall inside Eikan-do's paid grounds. It lets you step out of the stream of leaf-peepers and sit down together with the garden still in view.
Order：Thin matcha with dango
9:00–16:30 (in some past autumns it also opened during the evening illumination; no evening closing time is published)Closed: Irregular; closed when it rainsUnder ¥1,000 (Eikan-do admission required)Details ↗ - 5 min walk☕ CafeTea House Assam
A tea room in a house among the trees at the south end of the Philosopher's Path. It opens only at 13:30, which suits a morning at Eikan-do followed by tea.
Order：Pot of tea and cake