Weekend-only limited edition: Kyoto’s stunningly serene maple scenery at “Ryōan-ji of Light” opens at night for the first time

▲ Kyoto’s Ryōan-ji Byōbu Pavilion (Photo by reporter Cai Wenjun)

Reporter Cai Wenjun / Comprehensive Report

With autumn foliage season in full swing, Kyoto’s popular maple-viewing spot “Ryōan-ji Byōbu Pavilion,” which opens only twice a year, is offering nighttime visits for the first time this year. From November 11 to December 3, the pavilion will be open to visitors for maple viewing on weekends and national holidays between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM, with a limit of 100 people per night. Those wishing to admire the pavilion’s nighttime beauty should seize the opportunity!

The Ryōan-ji Byōbu Pavilion is open only during the summer greenery and autumn foliage seasons each year. The fiery red maple leaves, which seem to spread from the windows into the interior, display layers of color that shift with the light, creating a glass-like brilliance that immerses visitors in a dreamlike landscape. It has become one of Kyoto’s most sought-after spots for autumn foliage viewing. During peak season, visitors often queue in long lines from the mountain gate, sometimes waiting several hours just to enter.

This year, the Ryōan-ji Byōbu Pavilion is opening for nighttime foliage viewing for the first time. From November 11 to December 3, on weekends and national holidays, the site will be open between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM, with a nightly limit of 100 visitors. In collaboration with Keifuku Electric Railway and Soryu Kanko, a special illumination event has been launched to enhance the viewing experience. The soft lighting highlights the seasonal colors even more beautifully, and visitors can also enjoy a ride on the Eizan Electric Railway and explore the charming streets of Sakyo Ward. For reservations, please visit [http://eizan.keifuku.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=34](http://eizan.keifuku.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=34).) for booking.

Ryōan-ji Byōbu Pavilion
Address: 55 Higashiyama, Kamitakano, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Transportation: Take the Eizan Electric Railway (from Demachiyanagi Station) to Shugakuin Station, a 10-minute ride