Details ↓What it is · Pochikichi's story · getting there

Good to know

Night viewing of Manpuku-ji, founded by Ingen Ryuki in 1661, with lighting designed to bring out the shapes of the halls and Buddhist statues, the texture of the wood and the shadows. In its second year the lit area extends deeper into the temple grounds; open mainly on Fridays to Sundays until February 21, 2027.

Dates

Oct 23 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun)

Hours

17:00 – 21:00

Venue

Obaku Zen Head Temple Manpuku-ji

Nearest station

Obaku

Admission

Adults ¥1,000; junior high and high school students ¥500; elementary school age and under free

About this event

Manpuku-ji in Uji was founded in 1661 by the Chinese Zen master Ingen Ryuki, and its Ming-style halls look like nowhere else in Kyoto. On evenings through February 21, 2027, the temple opens at night with lighting that brings out the shapes of the halls and statues, the grain of the wood and the shadows between them. In this second year the lighting reaches further into the temple grounds. It runs 17:00 to 21:00, mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Highlights

• Ming-style Zen halls founded in 1661
• Lighting reaches deeper into the grounds this year
• Runs into February 2027

Good for

Travelers who want a quieter night temple visit south of central Kyoto.

Good to know before you go

• Open mainly Fri–Sun; check the closed days before you go
• Adults ¥1,000, junior high and high school ¥500, elementary and under free

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 Manpuku-ji Temple Special Night Viewing & Light Art Installation at Obaku Zen Head Temple Manpuku-ji?

Manpuku-ji in Uji was founded in 1661 by the Chinese Zen master Ingen Ryuki, and its Ming-style halls look like nowhere else in Kyoto. On evenings through February 21, 2027, the temple opens at night with lighting that brings out the shapes of the halls and statues, the grain of the wood and the shadows between them. In this second year the lighting reaches further into the temple grounds. It runs 17:00 to 21:00, mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

When is Manpuku-ji Temple Special Night Viewing & Light Art Installation at Obaku Zen Head Temple Manpuku-ji?

From Oct 23 (Fri) to Feb 21 (Sun), 2027.

What are the opening hours?

17:00 – 21:00

How much does it cost?

Adults ¥1,000; junior high and high school students ¥500; elementary school age and under free

Where is it and what is the nearest station?

Obaku Zen Head Temple Manpuku-ji. The nearest station is Obaku.

More in Kyoto

• M

  Market

  Chazuna de Marche at Tea and Uji Town History Park

  Tea and Uji Town History Park (Chazuna) (Uji Sta.)

  Nov 14 (Sat) 10:00 – 15:00 (details on the official site)

  Please check the official page

  A regular market at the history park in Uji, with handmade goods, food and performances by local people. A 4-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station. The next date after Nov 14 is Dec 20, same hours.

  Details →
• S

  Festival & seasonal event

  Daigoji Temple (World Heritage) Autumn Night Viewing

  Daigoji Temple (Daigo Sta.)

  Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 6 (Sun) 18:00 – 20:50

  General 1,500 yen (1,400 yen with online advance booking)

  A limited-time evening visit inspired by the maple-viewing party Toyotomi Hideyoshi dreamed of but never held. Walk past the illuminated National Treasure Golden Hall and Five-Story Pagoda and the autumn colors of the Rinsen and Muryoju-en gardens. Day and night visits are separate; last entry 8:10 PM.

  Details →
• S

  Festival & seasonal event

  Daigoji "A Night Watched Over by Buddhas": Meditation Yoga, Shojin Dinner and Night Viewing

  Daigoji Temple (Reihokan Museum) (Daigo Sta.)

  Nov 21 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Mon) 18:15 – 20:50 (details on the official site)

  15,000 yen per person (yoga, dinner and night viewing included)

  Three nights only: meditation yoga among National Treasure Buddhist statues, an autumn vegetarian temple dinner, then a walk through the illuminated autumn grounds. 50 people per night, advance booking required.

  Details →
• F

  Food event

  Kyoto Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival 2026

  Kyoto Pulsplaza (Takeda Sta.)

  Nov 28 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun) 10:00 – 16:30 (details on the official site)

  Free admission

  About 100 Kyoto producers sell vegetables, Uji tea and seafood, with a bluefin tuna cutting show and a mock fish auction.

  Details →
• S

  Festival & seasonal event

  Unryuin Temple Autumn Special Opening and Light-up

  Unryuin Temple (Sennyuji) (Tofukuji Sta.)

  Nov 14 (Sat) – Nov 30 (Mon) 09:00 – 17:00

  Special opening 400 yen; light-up 400 yen

  A quiet hidden spot for autumn leaves in Higashiyama, a sub-temple of the imperial family temple Sennyuji. The usually hidden Fudo Myoo triad is unveiled, and garden maples can be viewed from the study halls. On November 20-23 the temple is lit from sunset to 9:00 PM, and the four shoji windows of the Renge-no-ma room frame camellia, a lantern, maples and pine. No day/night changeover; last entry 4:30 PM by day, 8:30 PM at night.

  Details →
• A

  Art exhibition

  Chrysanthemum Offering Exhibition at Sennyuji Temple

  Sennyuji Temple (Tofukuji Sta.)

  Oct 30 (Fri) – Nov 22 (Sun) 09:00 – 16:30

  See the official website for admission

  Sennyuji, the imperial family's temple known as Mitera, displays chrysanthemum offerings in its grounds until November 22.

  Details →

See all events in Kyoto → · This page in Japanese