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- English
This tour takes you through three of Kyoto’s most atmospheric spots, starting in Gion’s famous Hanamikoji Street. You’ll walk through its historic wooden townscape, experiencing the charm and elegance of one of Kyoto’s best-preserved traditional districts.
Your next stop is Kodaiji Temple, illuminated only in the autumn season. Here you can enjoy a stunning night view of glowing maple leaves, artistic light displays, and the serene bamboo path that creates a quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Finally, you will visit Hōkanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), one of Kyoto’s oldest landmarks. While the area is crowded during the day, visiting at night lets you admire the five-story pagoda in peace. Its softly lit silhouette and calm surroundings create a mystical and tranquil experience unavailable in daylight.
Throughout the tour, your guide will also take professional photos. After the tour, you will receive the images taken with a camera—perfect for remembering your night in Kyoto.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meeting Point Minamiza Theatre It is very easy to find, just a 1-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line), Exit 6. Please wait in front of the main entrance facing Shijo Street. If you have trouble finding the location, please contact us via message.
Itinerary
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1Hanamikoji Street
Hanamikoji Street is one of the most famous streets in Kyoto’s Gion district. It is known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, tea houses, and restaurants. As you walk along the street, you may see maiko (apprentice geisha) going to their evening appointments. The lantern lights and narrow lanes create a beautiful, old-Kyoto atmosphere, especially at night. Please enjoy the area respectfully, as it is an active cultural neighborhood, not just a sightseeing spot.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Kodaiji is a historic Zen temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, known for its elegant gardens, preserved buildings, and strong cultural ties to Japan’s samurai history. Founded in the early 17th century, it honors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife, Nene, and features refined architecture, quiet tea houses, and a beautifully designed landscape garden. Often called the “Bamboo Temple,” Kodaiji welcomes visitors with a long bamboo-lined approach that creates a calm, almost otherworldly mood from the moment you enter. In autumn, the temple hosts a limited-time night illumination, one of Kyoto’s most iconic seasonal events. The grounds transform into a mysterious scene with glowing maple leaves, reflections on the pond, and artistic light displays, including modern light art and projection mapping that blend tradition with contemporary style. Here, you can experience a special moment where Kyoto’s history, nature, and seasonal light come together in a captivating way.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
Hōkanji Temple, known as the Yasaka Pagoda, is a Rinzai Zen temple with origins said to date back to Prince Shōtoku. Some traditions also link it to the Yasaka clan, who lived here before the Heian period. The five-story pagoda was rebuilt in 1440 by Ashikaga Yoshinori, and today it is the only surviving structure, with the first two floors open to visitors and the Five Wisdom Buddhas enshrined inside. The area is very crowded during the day, making it hard to take photos or enjoy the scenery. At night, however, the streets become quiet, and the pagoda creates a serene, almost mystical atmosphere—offering a peaceful experience completely different from the daytime.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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