What Makes the Hogon-in Temple Light-Up So Enchanting?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hogon-in, a sub-temple of Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama, is normally closed and opens its gates only during special viewing periods in spring and autumn. In autumn, an evening special viewing (light-up) is held within that period, letting you walk the maple-covered garden “Shishiku no Niwa” (Garden of the Lion’s Roar) after dark.
This article covers the 2026 viewing schedule, the spots to look for during the light-up, and the temple’s history.
What Is Hogon-in Temple?
Hogon-in (Daikizan Hogon-in) is a sub-temple of Tenryu-ji, the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of the Rinzai sect, located in Arashiyama, Kyoto. According to temple tradition, it was founded in 1461 with funds from Hosokawa Yoriyuki, a kanrei (deputy shogun) of the Muromachi Shogunate, with Zen Master Seichu Eiko, a third-generation spiritual descendant of Tenryu-ji’s founder Muso Kokushi, as its founding priest.
The principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon, flanked by thirty-three Kannon statues and a Jizo statue that, according to temple tradition, was worshipped by Ashikaga Takauji. The temple originally stood in what is now Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, but was destroyed in the Onin War; after several relocations, it was moved to and re-established at its current site (the former site of a Tenryu-ji sub-temple) in 2002.
The garden “Shishiku no Niwa” is a strolling landscape garden that borrows the scenery of Mount Arashiyama, created by Sakugen Shuryo, a Zen monk of the Muromachi period who traveled to China twice. The temple is normally closed to the public and can only be visited during the special spring and autumn openings (dates vary by year, so please check the official website for the latest information).
Details of the Hogon-in Light-Up
Here is the autumn 2026 schedule (as of October 2026, based on the temple’s official website). Dates and hours may change, so check the official website before you go.
- Autumn special viewing (daytime): October 3 (Sat) to December 6 (Sun), 2026, 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:45)
- Evening special viewing (light-up): November 13 (Fri) to December 6 (Sun), 2026, 17:30-20:30 (last entry 20:00)
- Day and night sessions are separate: a daytime ticket does not admit you to the evening viewing, which requires its own admission fee (see the FAQ below for prices)
[ Main Highlights of the Illuminated Garden ]
(1) Shishiku no Niwa (Garden of the Lion’s Roar)
A strolling landscape garden that borrows the scenery of Mount Arashiyama, planted with maple and ginkgo trees. Look for the large boulders such as the Lion Rock set in the moss; at night the red and yellow leaves and the moss are lit up.
(2) Ryumonbaku (Dragon Gate Waterfall)
A stone arrangement in the garden that represents a waterfall, expressing the legend of a carp climbing a waterfall to become a dragon. At night it is lit up together with the surrounding autumn leaves.
(3) Autumn Foliage Tunnel Near the Entrance Gate
Around the entrance gate, maples arch overhead, so during the light-up you walk through a tunnel of autumn leaves.
History of Hogon-in Temple
Since its founding in the Muromachi period, Hogon-in has gone through destruction in the Onin War, patronage from Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Tokugawa Shogunate, and several relocations, before being re-established at its current site in 2002.
1. 1461 – Founding of Hogon-in Temple
*Illustrative image
Hogon-in was founded in 1461 as a sub-temple of Tenryu-ji, with the Zen monk Seichu Eiko as its founding priest. According to temple tradition, the funds came from Hosokawa Yoriyuki, a kanrei of the Muromachi Shogunate. Sakugen Shuryo, who created the garden, was a Rinzai monk who traveled to China twice and was involved in Japan-China diplomacy.
2. 1467 – Destruction in the Onin War
*Illustrative image
At its founding, Hogon-in stood in what is now Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, and had extensive grounds. However, the Onin War, which lasted about ten years from 1467 to 1477, reduced the capital to ashes, and Hogon-in was also destroyed by fire.
3. Tensho Era – Patronage of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Tokugawa Shogunate
*Illustrative image
Later, during the Tensho era (1573-1591), Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted the temple an endowment of 32 koku. In the Edo period, the Tokugawa Shogunate also supported Hogon-in until the Meiji era.
4. Modern Era – Relocation to the Grounds of Kogen-ji
*Illustrative image
From the Meiji era onward, Hogon-in went through several changes and was relocated to the grounds of Kogen-ji, another sub-temple of Tenryu-ji.
5. 2002 – Relocation and Re-establishment at the Current Site
*Illustrative image
In 2002, Hogon-in was relocated to and re-established at its current site (the former site of a Tenryu-ji sub-temple). During the special viewing periods, the main hall’s fusuma paintings “Fuga Sansan Sansanjizai” by the artist Tamura Noriko are also shown.
Summary
To see the light-up, plan your visit for the evening special viewing, held from mid-November to early December. Day and night sessions are separate, so seeing both requires two tickets.
Tenryu-ji, the Bamboo Grove Path, and the Sagano Romantic Train are all nearby, so you can explore the area by day and then head to the evening viewing.
