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November 2026

Leaves, lanterns and temple markets

Key dates

1–10 Nov · Gion Odori

3 Nov · Culture Day

8 Nov · Hitaki-sai

8 Nov · Momiji Matsuri

15 Nov · Shichi-go-san

21 Nov · Kōbō-san

23 Nov · Labour Thanksgiving

~24 Nov · Leaf peak

25 Nov · Tenjin-san

Festivals & holidays

1–10 November · Gion Odori

The Gion Higashi geiko dance programme at Gion Kaikan, usually the first ten days of November.

Check 2026 dates

3 November · Culture Day

A national holiday (Tuesday). Expect a crowded long weekend at temples and on trains.

8 November · Hitaki-sai

Fushimi Inari’s fire festival: thousands of prayer sticks burned in sacred bonfires.

Check before going

8 November · Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri

Costumed boats on the Ōi River by Togetsukyō bridge, held on the second Sunday of November.

Check 2026 dates

15 November · Shichi-go-san

Families bring children in kimono to shrines to pray for health. Be discreet with cameras.

23 November · Labour Thanksgiving Day

A Monday holiday, making 21–23 November one of the busiest weekends of the year.

26 November · Kitano Tenmangu

The Kuchikiri tea ceremony offers the year’s first tea to the shrine’s deity.

Check 2026 dates

Markets this month

Hyakumanben

Hyakumanben Tezukuri-ichi

A handmade craft market at Chion-ji temple on 15 November (Sunday).

21 November · Kōbō-san at Tō-ji

Saturday this year; arrive early for antiques and textiles.

Kamigyo

Kitano Tenmangu · Tenjin-san

A flea market on the 25th (Wednesday); combine with the maple garden illumination.

Autumn illuminations 2026

Higashiyama

Kōdai-ji night viewing

Lit gardens and bamboo grove, 23 October–13 December.

Check before going

Tō-ji illumination

The five-storey pagoda above lit maples, 31 October–13 December.

Check before going

Higashiyama

Shōren-in night viewing

Thousands of blue lights in the garden, 7 November–6 December.

Check before going

Kibune

Kifune Shrine illumination

Lantern-lined stairs and maples, 7–24 November.

Check before going

Eikan-dō night illumination

Pond and hillside maples, 20 November–6 December; daytime treasures from 11 November.

Check before going

Kiyomizu-dera night viewing

The stage and pagoda lit against the city, 21–30 November.

Check before going

Weathernews (8 October 2026) forecasts the Arashiyama peak around 24 November, later than usual. City-centre maples often hold into early December.

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