Kyoto Free Guide Available on Weekend !: September 2010

From October 30 to December 5, 2010

*November 10 is discontinued.

In Spring and Autumn, there are several temples which you can enjoy beautiful night light up in Kyoto, among them the exotic light illusion at Shoren-in Temple" is outstanding!!

The best season must be at around the end of November for the full Autumn colors like the picture below, but October also would be nice in the comfortable Autumn breeze. Enjoy the solemn, but romantic light world...

Shoren-in temple is one of the five Monzeki temples, meaning the head priests originally belonged to the imperial family. So the look of the temple is solemn and peaceful like Imperial Palace...

This temple is very famous for its breathtaking night light up show of the garden.

Shorenin temple is dedicated to the Shijoko Nyorai (Buddha).

The Shijoko Nyorai signifies Light itself, and Fudomyo-o, one of his embodiments, is followed by fire. Thus, particularly light is regarded as being divine.

So these show is intended to recreate the graceful and elegant image of the temple itself which at times served as a seat of emperor.

Right after you step in, its mysterious world will spread in front of you! Welcome its pure and sacred land...

Especially, you would be amazed the circular pond is to be magnificently lit up!!

Opening Hours:
(Day session) 9am to 5pm (entry accepted until 4:30pm)
(Night session) 6pm to 10pm(entry accepted until 9:30pm)

Admission fees:
Adults - 800yen (for night session)
* In the day time you can be offered Matcha green tea at the temple if you pay extra 500yen.

Kyoto Visitors?
How to Process Free Guide!

Enjoy a Tour of Kyoto's Enchanting Night Scenery by Bus!

If you visit Kyoto in the evening and interested to do something night sightseeing, or you don't have enough days like one night in Kyoto and impossible to see all the famous sites at once in your itinerary, this night bus tour must be something nice experience to try!

Please noted: The serbive is only on every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and National holidays.

Price:
Adults 1,600 yen, Children (7 to 12 years old) 800 yen,

If you pay extra for English audio guide: 2,100 yen

* 300yen discount! If you bring the leaflet or other unlimited travel passes. Read more detail below.

Reservation:

You can make the reservation three days in advance, or if you don't mind even no guarantee for the seat availability, you can just visit the pick-up point in time.

Online Reservation (English okay): >>> Click

Or by Telephone: 075-662-1700 (MK Travel)

The cruise is around one hour and half. Jut be sitting back and relaxed! You will be taken around UNESCO World Heritage sites including To-ji Temple (1), Nishi-Honganji Temple (2) and Nijo Catsle (3), as well as Heian Jingu Shrine (10) and Yasaka Shrine (13). Including Shijo Kawaramachi and the Gion district, at the heart of this ancient city.

The purple line is the round tour route. A,B,C,D,E,F is pick-up points.

The bus will take you to the sights above one by one quickly like highlight tour. Unfortunately you can't get off the bus to take the pictures, but just enjoy the magical night lit-up sites through the window. Buildings are illuminated at different times during the year (other than 16th of every month)! Especially The Heian Jingu Shrine will be lit up wonderfully only for this bus tour!

Pick-Up Point Departure Drop-off

It's a little trickey, but there's no bus stop stand for each stop, but please find the mark of the rabbit! and then, the bus driver holding this rabbit lantern will be coming at departure time!

Get Discount!
Print out this pdf leaflet and show the driver for 100yen discounted.

-English Leaflet（639KB)

Also, you will be getting another 300yen discount if you show a valid passes like JR pass, Kyoto Sightseeing One or Two-day Pass, 500yen of All-Day Bus Pass etc if you have!

Enjoy your special Kyoto sightseeing at night version! Don't forget to bring a nice camera for night view... :)