Murin-an
This season's opening
Autumn twilight garden evenings
- Hours
- Five evenings only: Nov 14, 15, 21, 22, 23. Session 1 17:30–19:30 (check-in from 17:15); session 2 19:30–21:30 (from 19:15)
- Admission
- ¥4,500 including café service and a short garden talk
- Booking
- Booking requiredBook each date on the official site. Booking closes at noon a week before; cancellations after that are charged in full. Sessions with fewer than 14 people are cancelled
Stroll the lit garden and hear a 15-minute talk from a garden guide; matcha or sparkling wine in the café
Look down at the streams and pond, where the maples are reflected. No parking. The later session leaves you in Okazaki at 21:30 for a late dinner
About the garden
Yamagata Aritomo's villa. A shallow stream fed by the Lake Biwa canal runs through a lawn framed by the Higashiyama hills. Order matcha and sit on the veranda built purely for looking at the garden.
Where to stand
Sit on the main house veranda and lower your gaze: the hills become part of the garden. Stand up and the wall intrudes. It was designed to be seen sitting down.
Practical notes
The best-run garden in Kyoto for visitors: English materials, matcha on the veranda, and evening private viewings that can be booked. Autumn entry is capped, so reserve.
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
- 3 min walk☕ CafeSosui Cafe (Lake Biwa Canal Museum)
A small café inside the Lake Biwa Canal Museum, across from Murin-an. You rest beside the canal basin whose water feeds both Murin-an and Koun-ji.
Order：Coffee (beer too)
10:00–16:00Closed: Mondays (the museum's closing day; the next weekday if Monday is a holiday). In fiscal 2026 the operator opens only in periods it sets; no autumn period had been announced as of 27 Sep 2026 (watch the museum's website).Details ↗