Kyoto is one of Japan’s most visited cities and for good reason. Its carefully preserved traditions, historical landmarks, and beautiful scenery make it a great place to experience various aspects of Japanese culture. Whilst the summers are hot and humid, the cooler autumn season in Kansai is a perfect time to explore the streets of Kyoto and the surrounding area. So, if you’re looking to enjoy the last of the autumn weather before the winter chill hits, or if you’re looking to come at off-peak times to miss the crowds, here are some great things to do in Kyoto this November.
Kodaiji Temple Lit Up At Night. Photo Credit: Blanscape
Kodai-ji Autumn Illumination
Already well-known for its stunning gardens, the Kodai-ji temple really comes alive during autumnal evenings when the grounds are lit up for the illumination event. The soft glow from various lanterns and lights really helps to accentuate the vibrant reds and oranges of the fall foliage, creating perhaps one of the most beautiful seasonal landscapes in Japan. The calm atmosphere and cool evening breeze make this the perfect place for a relaxing stroll after a long day of exploring the city.
Price: 600 JPY
Time: 5:00 pm-10:00 pm (last entry 9:30 pm)
Date: 24 October-14 December
Location: Kōdaiji Temple – Google Maps
Website: Kodai-ji Zen Temple: Illumination
Photo Credit: Kyoto National Museum
Heisei Chishinkan Pop-up Restaurant & Special Exhibition
If you’re looking for somewhere interesting to eat this month, then look no further than the Heisei Chishinkan restaurant at the National Kyoto Museum. This restaurant pop-up is for the limited-time special exhibition Song and Yuan Buddhist Painting: Early Chinese Masterpieces in Japan, and is only available until mid-November, but it is a great place to recharge after enjoying some art with good food and a view across the yard.
Price: Menu Dependent
Time: 11:00 am–4:00 pm (last order 3:30 pm)
Date: 20 September-16 November
Location: Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Kyoto National Museum – Google Maps
Website: Limited-Time Opening of the Heisei Chishinkan Restaurant Kyoto National Museum
Autumn-themed stage at Gion Odori. Photo Credit: Gion Higashi
Gion Odori
An impressive dance performance by geisha and maiko in the Gion area, Gion Odori is a unique way to experience the month and embrace the autumn season. Considered a more intimate experience than some of the bigger shows put on earlier in the year, Gion Odori includes lots of autumnal-themed staging and props that make this performance feel both grand and cosy all at once!
Price: 4300 JPY
Time: From 1 pm each day
Date: 1-10 November
Location: Gion Kaikan – Google Maps
Website: 【公式】京都 祇園東歌舞会
Ninnaji Temple and autumn foliage. Photo Credit: Ninnaji Temple Gallery
Ninna-ji Reihokan Special Autumn Opening
Perhaps one of the more underrated temples in Kyoto, for the month of November, Ninna-ji Reihokan opens not only its grounds but also its sacred treasure hall, allowing visitors to view a large range of artifacts. This is a very limited-time opportunity, so we’d definitely recommend checking this one out, not to mention how beautiful the surrounding gardens are during the autumn, with the red leaves really making the landscape pop!
Price: 500 JPY
Time: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Date: 1-23 November
Location: Ninna-ji Temple – Google Maps
Website: Ninnaji Temple
Sutras being performed at Aki Matsuri. Photo Credit: Aki Matsuri | Discover Kyoto
Aki Matsuri
Across Japan, the changing of seasons is often signified and celebrated through a wide range of festivals such as the Aki Matsuri. During this festival, visitors write their wishes on wooden tablets that are then thrown on a bonfire as music and Buddhist sutras are performed. The bonfire burning the reds and oranges we typically associate with the autumn season, adds a unique and moving atmosphere to the whole event and is a great way to see in the colder parts of the year.
Price: 500 JPY
Time: 11 am
Date: 3 November
Location: Tanukidani-san Fudō-in Temple – Google Maps
Website: 厄よけ・交通安全祈祷 | 真言宗修験道 大本山 狸谷山不動院
Burning crops at the fire festival. Photo Credit: Inari Official Website
Hitaki-sai Festival
Fushimi Inari is one of those places that ends up on most people’s lists when making an itinerary for Japan, but did you know that after the autumn harvest, a big fire festival is held at the shrine to show thanks to the gods for nurturing the grains. With hundreds of thousands of fire skewers being lit by people from all over Japan, and the chants and prayers of both the priests themselves and visitors echoing throughout the shrine hall, this festival is certainly a sight to behold!
Price: Free
Time: 1:00 pm
Date: 8 November
Location: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Website: 伏見稲荷大社
Exhibits at Art Collaboration 2024. Photo Credit: Art Collaboration Kyoto Website
Art Collaboration Kyoto 2025
Known as one of the leading contemporary art festivals, the Art Collaboration Kyoto, as you may have guessed from the name, is all about collaboration and artists working together. The wide range of art on display and miniature exhibition rooms are great for artists and art enthusiasts alike, or if you’re just looking for an interesting new angle into the arts and culture Japan has to offer, this is a great way to see the area through the eyes of the talented artists involved in the exhibit.
Price: 3000 JPY
Time: 12:00 am-7:00 pm
Date: 14 – 16 November
Location: Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) – Google Maps
Website: Art Collaboration Kyoto
Sake Barrels. Photo Credit: Tianwang Xiao
Fushimi Sake Festival
Located less than half an hour away from the infamous Fushimi Inari shrine, Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Arcade will be hosting a sake festival this November! The perfect excuse to try lots of different types of sake, there will be many local breweries setting up booths throughout the arcade offering flavoured, sweet, bitter, strong, weak, or tangy sake as well as some foods to pair with each one for a unique flavour profile that you can only get from trying a range of carefully brewed beverages.
Price: 2,700 JPY
Time: 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Date: 15 November
Location: Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Street – Google Maps
Website: 京都・伏見イベント
Geisha performing at Kotobuk-kai. Photo Credit: Kamishichiken Kabukai|Official website
Kotobuki-Kai
Whilst most of the big performances by Geisha and Maiko happen during the spring, if you decide to miss the hustle and bustle of cherry blossom season but still want to see some iconic geisha performances, then the Kotobuki-Kai may just be for you! Rather than several interconnected performances or one big story, Kotobuki-Kai offers a variety of individual performances, allowing you to experience a wide range of Geisha talent, songs, and dances that you may not see elsewhere.
Price: 10,000 JPY
Time: 12 – 18 November
Date: 4 pm start
Location: Kamishichiken Kabukai – Google Maps
Website: Kamishichiken Kabukai|Official website
Flea Market at Tenji-san. Photo Credit: All About Japan
Tenjin-san Market
If you’re looking to support local businesses and pick up some unique souvenirs, then Tenjin-san market is the place to go! A great way to meet and chat with some locals as you browse, the Tenji-san market is held each month at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. This is the perfect excuse to also explore a traditional shrine that’s a little more off-the-beaten track than Fushimi Inari or Yasaka Shrine.
Price: Free Admission
Time: 6:00 am-4:00 pm
Date: 25 November
Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – Google Maps
Website: ページが見つかりませんでした |
As you can see, there’s still plenty to see and do in Kyoto even as the year begins to wind down, and with the milder temperatures and smaller crowds, November can actually be a perfect time to plan a trip to Japan. With performances, festivals, markets, and even some seasonal restaurant openings, there’s surely something to suit every taste in November, so hopefully you were able to find something today to enhance your experience and make the most of your time in Japan!
Featured Photo Credit: DSD
Looking for more adventures around the cultural capital? Reach out to our team of Travel Experts to grab a limited spot on the exclusive, seasonal Kyoto Western Lights Tour!
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