When is the Kiyomizu-dera night illumination in 2026?

Spring (cherry blossoms): 27 Mar – 5 Apr; Summer: 14–16 Aug; Autumn (autumn leaves): 21–30 Nov. Every night it is open until 21:30, last entry 21:00.

What time does Kiyomizu-dera close?

Normally at 18:00 (18:30 in July and August). On night-viewing days it stays open until 21:30.

Do I need to book the night viewing?

No reservation was needed for the spring 2026 night viewing. Check the official website for the autumn details.

Night illumination 2026

Is Kiyomizu-dera open at night?

Only during the special night viewing. In 2026 that is 27 Mar – 5 Apr, 14–16 Aug, 21–30 Nov, open until 21:30 (last entry 21:00). On other days the temple closes at 18:00 (18:30 in July and August).

When is the night viewing?

Season	Dates	Dark from about
Spring (cherry blossoms)	27 Mar – 5 Apr	18:13
Summer	14–16 Aug	18:48
Autumn (autumn leaves)	21–30 Nov	16:49

Every night: open until 21:30, last entry 21:00. "Dark from about" is the sunset time in Kyoto on the first day (JST, our calculation).

How busy is it at night?

Evenings during the night viewing get busy, and the spring and autumn dates also fall in the cherry-blossom and autumn-leaf seasons. On night-viewing days our crowd score keeps counting until the last entry, so you can check it on the day.

See how crowded it is right now Watch the Kiyomizu-zaka slope live

Day or night?

Daytime	Open every day from 6:00. The quietest time is right after the gate opens, before 8:00; 10:00–16:00 is the busiest.
Night	Only on the night-viewing dates above, until 21:30.

See today's quiet hours

Is anything else open in the evening?

During the autumn dates (21–30 Nov), the garden of Jojuin, a sub-temple of Kiyomizu-dera, also has a special opening:10:00–16:00 and 18:00–20:30 (last entry times).

Before you go

No reservation was needed for the spring 2026 night viewing. Check the official website for the autumn details.
The admission fee for the night viewing is announced by the temple. Check it on the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-09 on the official Kiyomizu-dera website.

Questions

Is Kiyomizu-dera open at night?: Only during the special night viewing. In 2026 that is 27 Mar – 5 Apr, 14–16 Aug, 21–30 Nov, open until 21:30 with last entry at 21:00. On other days the temple closes at 18:00 (18:30 in July and August).
When is the Kiyomizu-dera night illumination in 2026?: Spring (cherry blossoms): 27 Mar – 5 Apr; Summer: 14–16 Aug; Autumn (autumn leaves): 21–30 Nov. Every night it is open until 21:30, last entry 21:00.
What time does Kiyomizu-dera close?: Normally at 18:00 (18:30 in July and August). On night-viewing days it stays open until 21:30.
Do I need to book the night viewing?: No reservation was needed for the spring 2026 night viewing. Check the official website for the autumn details.