A must-visit destination during the summer holidays in Kyoto is Higashiyama

Kangetsuro, an event that illuminates Kodaiji Temple and the surrounding Higashiyama area with enchanting lights. Higashiyama Hanatouro, a popular illumination event held for 17 years from 2005, returns to Higashiyama after five years in a newly evolved form.

Kodaiji Temple was founded by Kita-no-Mandokoro, commonly known as Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for her late husband’s soul. Established approximately 400 years ago and surrounded by the rich natural beauty of Higashiyama, the temple is home to numerous historic treasures. These include Important Cultural Properties such as Kaizando Hall and Otamaya Sanctuary, where Hideyoshi and Nene are enshrined, as well as a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty.

One of the temple’s greatest highlights is Kodaiji Makie, the exquisite lacquer decoration adorning the altars and miniature shrines inside Otamaya Sanctuary. Regarded as one of the finest examples of makie craftsmanship from the Momoyama period, its magnificent designs evoke Nene’s enduring devotion to Hideyoshi.

In 2026, Higashiyama Kangetsuro will be held from Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, August 23. Visitors can enjoy illuminated bamboo groves and a variety of creative lighting displays throughout the temple grounds. Around 1,000 bamboo lights will also illuminate Daidokoro-zaka, the stone steps leading to the temple. As you walk through the grounds at night, the historic buildings, gardens, and lush summer greenery emerge from the darkness, creating an ethereal scene entirely different from the temple’s daytime appearance.

Nene-no-Michi, a roughly 500-meter-long stone-paved street situated to the west of Kodaiji Temple, will also be illuminated. This atmospheric area, where Nene spent the final years of her life, is lined with traditional townhouses and embodies the historic charm of Higashiyama. Popular Kyoto businesses will operate stalls in Kodaiji Park, creating the lively atmosphere of a traditional summer festival for approximately 40 days.

Visitors can set out as the daytime heat begins to ease and enjoy a historic temple, a stroll beneath the bamboo lights, and Kyoto cuisine in a single evening. The event is ideal for a family summer holiday, an evening with friends, or a romantic outing. Come and experience a memorable summer night where the history and spirituality of Higashiyama meet the festive energy of Kyoto in 2026.

※This photo is from 2025.