Japan: Autumn Colors Reach Their Peak Across Kyoto, Attracting Visitors 2

Kyoto is witnessing peak autumn foliage across various locations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.

Japan: Autumn Colors Reach Their Peak Across Kyoto, Attracting Visitors

Kyoto is witnessing peak autumn foliage across various locations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

[Breaking News]Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 7 Kyodo - Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10. (Kyodo)

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign tourists pack Sanneizaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025. The number of foreign visitors to Japan between January and September was around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record in surpassing 30 million within a year.

Foreign tourists number to hit record

Foreign tourists number to hit record

Foreign tourists pack Kiyomizuzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025. The number of foreign visitors to Japan between January and September was around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record in surpassing 30 million within a year.

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign tourists pack Ninenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025. The number of foreign visitors to Japan between January and September was around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record in surpassing 30 million within a year.

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops a green bamboo stalk, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2025.

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops a green bamboo stalk, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2025.

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Photo taken on May 28, 2025, shows hydrangea flowers portraying Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, at Mimuroto-ji temple in Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan.

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Photo taken on May 28, 2025, shows hydrangea flowers portraying Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, at Mimuroto-ji temple in Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

"Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train retires

"Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train retires

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 29, 2025, shows the "Doctor Yellow" T4 edition track-testing bullet train for Japan's high-speed shinkansen lines making its final run with a five-story pagoda at the World Heritage-listed Toji temple in Kyoto in the background. Owned by JR Central, the T4 made its debut in 2001 and will not be replaced as the N700S passenger trains will carry test and observation equipment from 2027.

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 10 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto. (Kyodo)

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto.

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto.

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto.

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto.

Kanji for "kin," meaning gold or money, chosen as best to characterize 2024

KYOTO, Japan, Dec. 12 Kyodo - Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kin," meaning gold or money, with a calligraphy brush on Dec. 12, 2024. The character was selected as the best single kanji to symbolize the national mood for the year as Japanese athletes had their second-best ever performance at the Olympics with 20 gold medals in Paris, while a money scandal rocked the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. (Kyodo)

Kanji for "kin," meaning gold or money, chosen as best to characterize 2024

Kanji for "kin," meaning gold or money, chosen as best to characterize 2024

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kin," meaning gold or money, with a calligraphy brush on Dec. 12, 2024. The character was selected as the best single kanji to symbolize the national mood for the year as Japanese athletes had their second-best ever performance at the Olympics with 20 gold medals in Paris, while a money scandal rocked the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist monks sway while chanting at Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto on Nov. 28, 2024, during a ritual to commemorate the death of Shinran, a famous 13th-century monk who founded the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism.

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist monks sway while chanting at Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto on Nov. 28, 2024, during a ritual to commemorate the death of Shinran, a famous 13th-century monk who founded the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism.

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist monks sway while chanting at Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto on Nov. 28, 2024, during a ritual to commemorate the death of Shinran, a famous 13th-century monk who founded the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 17, 2024, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Nov. 30.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 17, 2024, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Nov. 30.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 17, 2024, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Nov. 30.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 17, 2024, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Nov. 30.

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Maple leaves in autumn colors are lit up along with World Heritage site Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 14, 2024, ahead of its limited-time night illumination event.

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Maple leaves in autumn colors are lit up along with World Heritage site Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 14, 2024, ahead of its limited-time night illumination event.

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Kyoto's Byodoin Temple lit up

Maple leaves in autumn colors are lit up along with World Heritage site Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 14, 2024, ahead of its limited-time night illumination event.

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 7 Kyodo - Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 6, 2024, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 11 to Dec. 1. Around 3,000 maple trees will be lit up at the event. (Kyodo)

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 6, 2024, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 11 to Dec. 1. Around 3,000 maple trees will be lit up at the event.

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 6, 2024, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 11 to Dec. 1. Around 3,000 maple trees will be lit up at the event.

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 6, 2024, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 11 to Dec. 1. Around 3,000 maple trees will be lit up at the event.

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple's special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 6, 2024, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 11 to Dec. 1. Around 3,000 maple trees will be lit up at the event.