Shosei-en (Kikoku-tei)
This season's opening
NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS at Higashi Hongan-ji and Shosei-en
- Hours
- 18:00–22:00. Higashi Hongan-ji: last entry 21:00, viewing ends 21:20; Shosei-en: viewing ends 22:00. On Nov 6–8 and Nov 25 only Shosei-en is open
- Admission
- On the day: age 13+ ¥2,100 Mon–Thu / ¥2,300 Fri–Sun and holidays; primary-school ¥1,500 / ¥1,700. Early-bird tickets (on sale until Oct 30) are ¥200 less. Shosei-en-only days (Nov 6–8, 25): ¥1,600 Mon–Thu / ¥1,800 Fri–Sun
- Booking
- Booking advisedTickets are also sold on the day (City of Kyoto). Early-bird tickets are sold Sep 1–Oct 30 through the official site and other outlets
A NAKED light-art evening across Higashi Hongan-ji and Shosei-en. In the garden, a large moon and autumn scenes are projected onto Ingetsu pond, the Shinsetsu bridge and Tanfu gorge look out over the garden and the city, and Rinchi-tei is shown through its reflection and the sound of running water (organiser's release). Drinks inspired by the garden scenes are served
Higashi Hongan-ji's last entry is 21:00, so start in front of the Founder's Hall and move on to Shosei-en, which stays open to 22:00. Held in rain (may be cancelled in storms); no tripods or monopods; no pets. About 7 minutes' walk from Kyoto Station
About the garden
The only full stroll garden within walking distance of Kyoto Station, with Kyoto Tower appearing over the trees as an accidental borrowed view. There is no better garden for the hour before your train.
Where to stand
Stand in the middle of the wooden bridge Shinsetsu-kyo. Tea houses on one bank, modern towers on the other; nowhere else in Kyoto shows both at once.
Practical notes
Ten minutes' walk east of Kyoto Station. Leave your luggage in a station locker. The 'donation' is effectively a ¥500 ticket and includes a well-made guidebook.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing2 min walk🍽 FoodKizano (Kyoto-vegetable bistro)
An 18-seat bistro on Akezu-dori, just west of the Shosei-en entrance, cooking French dishes around Kyoto vegetables. Dinner runs to 22:00 (last seating 20:30), so walk the light show from 18:00 and go straight on to dinner.
Order：The seasonal appetiser platter
11:30–15:00 (last order 14:00), 18:00–22:00 (last order 21:00, last seating 20:30)Closed: Mondays¥3,000–4,000 at lunch, ¥6,000–8,000 at dinner (bookable)Details ↗ - ☾ Open after the evening viewing6 min walk🍽 FoodHarebare (obanzai and fish izakaya)
A 13-seat izakaya just across Kawaramachi-dori from the east side of Shosei-en, serving Kyoto-vegetable obanzai and fish. It closes at 23:00 (midnight Fri–Sat), so a drink and a plate still work after Shosei-en closes at 22:00.
Order：Obanzai side dishes and seasonal sashimi
17:30–23:00 (to midnight on Fri, Sat and the night before holidays)Closed: Tuesdays and the third Wednesday (during the event: Nov 3, 10, 17, 18, 24 and Dec 1)¥3,000–4,000Details ↗ - 3 min walk☕ CafeGeijutsu Kissa Itoyu (gallery cafe)
A cafe with a small gallery that opened in February 2026 in an old townhouse that used to be a tobacco shop, just north of Shosei-en. It opens at 7:30, handy for meeting before the garden opens at 9:00.
Order：Matcha tiramisu (¥800)