The best time to visit Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is open all year, every day, from 6 a.m. The two seasons with the strongest colour are spring and autumn. Cherry blossom usually falls between late March and early April. Autumn leaves usually peak from mid-November to early December. Both shift with the weather, so no date is guaranteed for any year.
Summer and winter have their own advantages. Summer brings a later closing time in July and August and a short evening opening in mid-August. Winter has the lowest rainfall of the year in the monthly averages, though it is cold.
Kiyomizu-dera by season
Evening openings are 2026 dates. Check the temple calendar for other years.
| Season | Typical timing | Evening opening in 2026 | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Cherry blossom, late March to early April | 27 March to 5 April | Mild days, blossom date varies |
| Summer | July and August | 14 to 16 August | Hot, with the longest daytime hours |
| Autumn | Leaves, mid-November to early December | 21 to 30 November | Cool days, leaf timing varies |
| Winter | December to February | – | Cold, 6 p.m. closing |
The dates of the evening openings are fixed events. They are not a forecast for the leaves or the blossom.
Kyoto tours for every season
Walking tours, tea experiences and day trips around Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, with live prices and availability.
Cherry blossom season
Late March to early April.
Late March to early April is the usual blossom period. The exact peak changes every year, so treat that range as a planning window and not as a date.
In 2026 the spring evening opening ran from 27 March to 5 April. The temple stayed open until 9:30 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m., and no reservation was needed. If you want blossom and lights, compare the dates in the temple calendar for your year.
Night illumination dates →
Autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera
Mid-November to early December.
The usual window for autumn colour is mid-November to early December. Weather and the year move the peak. The evening opening is a separate event and does not promise colour.
In 2026 the autumn evening opening runs from 21 to 30 November. The temple stays open until 9:30 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m., and you do not need to reserve. Admission is JPY 500 for adults and JPY 200 for elementary and junior high pupils, and the evening event starts at 5:30 p.m. The Joju-in garden is open on the same dates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., without a reservation. Check the fee at the gate.
Autumn is also the season with a parking limit. From 7 October to 10 December 2026 the Kiyomizuzaka tourist car park takes no private cars. If you pair the two sites in one trip, see the best time for Fushimi Inari.
Summer and winter
Quieter on the calendar, harder on the body.
Summer evening opening
The 2026 summer evening opening was 14 to 16 August, until 9:30 p.m. with last entry at 9 p.m. The Sennichi-mairi, a visit to the innermost area of the main hall, ran from 9 to 16 August from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on the evening dates. Admission was JPY 500 for adults and JPY 200 for pupils. Tradition holds that one day of prayer counts as a thousand days.
Summer heat
July and August are the hottest months, with average highs of 32.0 and 33.7 degrees C. Go early and plan breaks in the shade or at a cafe.
Winter days
January and February are the coldest months, with average lows of 1.5 and 1.6 degrees C. The temple closes at 6 p.m. through to 26 March and in December. Dress warmly for the slope and the open stage.
Kyoto weather by month
Averages for Kyoto from 1991 to 2020. They describe a normal year and are not a forecast.
| Month | Average high (°C) | Average low (°C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.1 | 1.5 | 53.3 |
| February | 10.0 | 1.6 | 65.1 |
| March | 14.1 | 4.3 | 106.2 |
| April | 20.1 | 9.2 | 117.0 |
| May | 25.1 | 14.5 | 151.4 |
| June | 28.1 | 19.2 | 199.7 |
| July | 32.0 | 23.6 | 223.6 |
| August | 33.7 | 24.7 | 153.8 |
| September | 29.2 | 20.7 | 178.5 |
| October | 23.4 | 14.4 | 143.2 |
| November | 17.3 | 8.4 | 73.9 |
| December | 11.6 | 3.5 | 57.3 |
July is the wettest month on average, and August is the hottest. November is much cooler than October, which matters for the late evening openings.
Opening hours by season in 2026
The temple opens at 6 a.m. on every date below.
| Dates in 2026 | Closing time |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 26 March | 6 p.m. |
| 27 March to 5 April | 9:30 p.m., last entry 9 p.m. |
| 6 April to 30 June | 6 p.m. |
| 1 July to 13 August | 6:30 p.m. |
| 14 to 16 August | 9:30 p.m., last entry 9 p.m. |
| 17 to 31 August | 6:30 p.m. |
| 1 September to 20 November | 6 p.m. |
| 21 to 30 November | 9:30 p.m., last entry 9 p.m. |
| 1 to 31 December | 6 p.m. |
For a quieter visit, start early. The temple opens at 6 a.m., and an early start is a sensible plan even though the number of people at any hour cannot be promised.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that help you choose the date.
Best time to visit Kiyomizu-dera: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kiyomizu-dera?
Late March to early April for cherry blossom and mid-November to early December for autumn leaves are the usual high points. Both depend on the weather in the year, so no date is guaranteed.
When are the autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera?
Usually from mid-November to early December. The autumn evening opening in 2026 runs from 21 to 30 November, but those dates are an event schedule and not a colour forecast.
Is Kiyomizu-dera open at night?
On special dates only. In 2026 these were 27 March to 5 April, 14 to 16 August and 21 to 30 November, until 9:30 p.m. with last entry at 9 p.m. No reservation is needed.
What is the hottest month in Kyoto?
August, with an average high of 33.7 degrees C. July has the most rain on average, at 223.6 mm.
What time does Kiyomizu-dera open?
At 6 a.m. every day in 2026. Closing is 6 p.m. for most of the year, 6:30 p.m. from 1 July to 31 August and 9:30 p.m. on the evening opening dates, including 14 to 16 August.
How do I avoid the crowds?
Go early, since the temple opens at 6 a.m. Plan the leaf and blossom weeks with extra time, and consider a visit outside them if you want fewer people.