Kakuonji Temple Autumn Leaves Special Visit (Light-Up)

What Is the Autumn Leaves Special Visit at Kakuonji Temple?

The Autumn Leaves Special Visit at Kakuonji Temple (覚園寺) is held during the autumn foliage season at Kakuonji, a temple deep in a quiet valley in the Nikaido (二階堂) area of Kamakura (鎌倉). During this period, visiting hours are extended into the evening, and the temple grounds are lit up at dusk.

Dates, Hours and Admission

In 2026, the special visit runs from Wednesday, November 25 to Thursday, December 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last entry 6:40 p.m.). Compared with the usual visiting hours (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., last entry 3:40 p.m.), the temple opens one hour earlier and stays open three hours later. The start time of the light-up has not been announced. The autumn leaves are usually at their best from late November to mid-December.

Admission is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students, the same as usual. No reservation requirement has been announced.

Highlights: Valley Maples Glowing in Firelight

The maples in the temple grounds are lit by lights made to look like bonfires and torches, creating a quiet, dreamlike scene completely different from the daytime. Because the temple sits in a valley surrounded by hills, the sun sets early, and it is quite dark by about 5:00 p.m. The temple is not crowded, so you can enjoy the autumn leaves in peace.

Photography

At Kakuonji, photos and videos are not allowed in the grounds beyond the reception desk. This rule also applies during the special visit, including at night, so put your camera away and enjoy the autumn leaves with your own eyes. You may take photos between the main gate and the reception desk.

About Kakuonji Temple

Kakuonji began as the Okura Yakushi-do (大倉薬師堂) hall, built by Hojo Yoshitoki (北条義時) in 1218. In 1296, Hojo Sadatoki (北条貞時) made it a temple, praying that the Mongol invasions would never return. The main hall, the Yakushi-do (薬師堂), enshrines the principal images, a seated Yakushi triad (薬師三尊), and the Twelve Heavenly Generals (十二神将). The Yakushi-do is the largest thatched building in Kamakura. The grounds also include the Aizen-do (愛染堂) and Jizo-do (地蔵堂) halls, the Former Utsumi Residence (旧内海家), a relocated old farmhouse, and yagura (やぐら), cave tombs carved into the hillsides that are typical of Kamakura.

Access: Visiting During Your Stay at Toshi’s Place

From bus stop No. 5 at the East Exit of JR and Enoden Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅), take the Kama 20 bus bound for Kamakuragu (鎌倉宮), also called Daitonomiya (大塔宮), to the last stop, Daitonomiya, then walk about 10 minutes. Free parking is available for visitors, but the road to the temple is very narrow, so public transportation is recommended.

If you stay in Kamakura, you do not have to worry about the time to get back after an evening visit. At Toshi’s Place, fully unstaffed smart hotels with full kitchens and no meals provided, you can explore Kamakura at your own pace.

Summary

The Autumn Leaves Special Visit at Kakuonji is a late-autumn special visit where you can quietly enjoy the maples at night in an old temple deep in a valley. Since photography is not allowed, you can take your time and keep the maples glowing in firelight and the thatched Yakushi-do in your memory. For the temple’s regular highlights, see Kakuonji Temple.

Basic Information

Item	Details
Name	Kakuonji Temple Autumn Leaves Special Visit
Dates	Late November to December 10 every year (2026: November 25 to December 10)
Hours	9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last entry 6:40 p.m.), with a light-up from dusk
Admission	Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen
Venue	Kakuonji Temple
Address	421 Nikaido, Kamakura, Kanagawa
Photography	No photos or videos beyond the reception desk
Access	From the East Exit of JR/Enoden Kamakura Station, take the bus (Kama 20) to Daitonomiya, then walk about 10 minutes
Contact	Kakuonji Temple +81-467-22-1195
Official website	Kakuonji Temple

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