
LOTUS WEEKEND 2026 at Shojokein Temple
- Dates
- Nov 14 (Sat) – Nov 15 (Sun)
- Hours
- 10:00 – 16:00
- Price
- Free admission
- Where
- Shojokein Temple, Head Temple of Jodo Buddhism (Demachiyanagi)
Limited opening of the Amida Hall
Good to know
Held rain or shine. Check the fees and participation requirements for individual activities.
- Dates
- Nov 14 (Sat) – Nov 15 (Sun)
- Hours
- 10:00 – 16:00
- Venue
- Shojokein Temple, Head Temple of Jodo Buddhism
- Nearest station
- Demachiyanagi
- Admission
- Free admission
About this event
LOTUS WEEKEND 2026 takes place at Shojokein, a major Jodo Buddhist temple east of Kyoto Imperial Palace. The program combines a market, food trucks, music performances and lectures with special Buddhist cultural experiences. The Amida Hall will be opened for limited viewing, alongside a special display of Important Cultural Properties. Visitors can also participate in an activity involving folded paper lotus flowers. The temple's long history gives the contemporary festivities a distinctive setting. General admission is free, and the event will proceed in rainy weather. Separate participation conditions may apply to individual activities.
Highlights
- Limited opening of the Amida Hall
- Special display of Important Cultural Properties
- Paper-lotus Buddhist cultural activity
- Market, music and lectures
- Good for
- Families and visitors interested in temples, Buddhist culture, history and local markets
Good to know before you go
- General admission is free
- Some individual activities may have separate conditions
- Held rain or shine
Buddhist Heritage and an Autumn Gathering at Shojokein
Shojokein is a major temple of the Jodo Buddhist school, situated east of Kyoto Imperial Palace. Its official history traces its origins to 860, when the monk Ennin established a religious hall at the request of Emperor Seiwa.
The temple later became associated with Honen, founder of the Jodo school, and moved to its present location during the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Its grounds contain several halls and preserve Buddhist artworks and religious traditions.
LOTUS WEEKEND includes a limited opening of the Amida Hall, a special display of Important Cultural Properties and an activity using folded paper lotus flowers.
Markets, food trucks, music and lectures bring additional visitors into the temple. The event connects the institution's Buddhist heritage with contemporary community life.
Sources: Shojokein official Instagram announcement (Japanese, supplied caption), Shojokein official history (Japanese), Historical Place Names Database: Shojokein (Japanese)
Next stop: book for later today PR
Experiences near here you can book on Klook.
Yuzen DyeingYuzen dyeing in a historic machiya→Kintsugi WorkshopKintsugi repair experience→Ad: Klook affiliate links.
🍜 Where to eat after
Restaurants near here on Google Maps→Many restaurants in Kyoto take reservations, and some are cash only. Check the restaurant page before you go.
FAQ
- What is LOTUS WEEKEND 2026 at Shojokein Temple?
- LOTUS WEEKEND 2026 takes place at Shojokein, a major Jodo Buddhist temple east of Kyoto Imperial Palace. The program combines a market, food trucks, music performances and lectures with special Buddhist cultural experiences. The Amida Hall will be opened for limited viewing, alongside a special display of Important Cultural Properties. Visitors can also participate in an activity involving folded paper lotus flowers. The temple's long history gives the contemporary festivities a distinctive setting. General admission is free, and the event will proceed in rainy weather. Separate participation conditions may apply to individual activities.
- When is LOTUS WEEKEND 2026 at Shojokein Temple?
- From Nov 14 (Sat) to Nov 15 (Sun), 2026.
- What are the opening hours?
- 10:00 – 16:00
- How much does it cost?
- Free admission
- Where is it and what is the nearest station?
- Shojokein Temple, Head Temple of Jodo Buddhism. The nearest station is Demachiyanagi.
More in Kyoto
Art exhibition
Special Exhibition: Nijo Castle and the Founding of the Edo Shogunate, the Kyoto Castle from Keicho to Kan'ei
Kyoto City Archives, First Floor Gallery (Jingu-Marutamachi Sta.)
Oct 31 (Sat) – Jan 17 (Sun) 09:00 – 17:00 (details on the official site)
A joint exhibition with the Nijo Castle office tracing the castle from the Keicho to the Kan'ei era, with a copy of the Kan'ei construction plans, the Shogun's Journey to Kyoto scroll, and scrolls of the imperial visit to Nijo Castle.
Details →Art exhibition
Kyoto State Guest House Autumn Evening Extended Opening
Kyoto State Guest House (Imadegawa Sta.)
Dec 4 (Fri) – Dec 7 (Mon) Open until 7:15 PM (last entry 6:15 PM); check the official site for the opening time
For four days only, the national guest house inside Kyoto Gyoen is open until 7:15 PM. Admission closes at 6:15 PM; children of elementary school age and under cannot enter.
Details →Art exhibition
Toraya Collection Exhibition: Animals That Soothe the Heart
Toraya Kyoto Gallery (Imadegawa Sta.)
Oct 24 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Mon) 10:00 – 17:00
Animal-themed works from the collection of the wagashi maker Toraya: folding screens, hanging scrolls, tea bowls and netsuke. The gallery is next to Toraya Karyo Kyoto Ichijo, about a 7-minute walk from Exit 6 of Imadegawa subway station.
Details →Art exhibition
Mariko Mori: Shrine II — Topology of Inner Light (Time-Do Gallery)
Time-Do Gallery (Marutamachi Sta.)
Nov 6 (Fri) – Mar 31 (Wed) 11:00 – 18:00 (details on the official site)
In two connected Taisho-era townhouses southwest of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Mariko Mori shows her installation Shrine II and eight hanging scrolls. The work pays homage to the sacred stone beneath Mizuya Shrine, a sub-shrine of Kasuga Taisha.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
Myoken-ji Temple Illumination & Special Night Viewing
Myoken-ji Temple (Kuramaguchi Sta.)
Nov 21 (Sat) – Dec 13 (Sun) 18:00 – 20:30
Autumn illumination and special night viewing at Myoken-ji, a Nichiren Buddhist temple in Kamigyo Ward. Last entry at 8:00 PM.
Details →Festival & seasonal event
62nd Kyoto Special Opening of Non-Public Cultural Properties at Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya Jinja) (Demachiyanagi Sta.)
Oct 31 (Sat) – Dec 6 (Sun) 09:00 – 16:00 (details on the official site)
Part of the 62nd autumn special opening run by the Kyoto Association for the Preservation of Old Culture. At Shimogamo Shrine you can see the main sanctuary (National Treasure) plus the Mitsui Shrine, Oidono kitchen hall and Shinpukuden (all Important Cultural Properties), the ice house, the Ura-no-kairo corridor, the site of the shrine's former Buddhist temple and the Shuhosha archive. Reception 9:00 to 16:00 (until 14:30 on Nov 23). No reservation needed; groups of 15 or more should contact the office first.
Details →