京都だより

Kyoto News from Yachiyo

Seasonal events, travel routes and news from our corner of Higashiyama, gathered by the staff of Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo beside Nanzenji Temple.

Autumn nights
Our neighbourhood
Ski trips to Kyoto
News
We recommend
Stay with us

Ryokan One SelectIchinoYado Club Selected hotel

3 minwalk to Nanzenji Temple

Ogawa Jiheigarden design

秋の夜間拝観

Kyoto’s autumn nights, from our door

Autumn Night Viewing 2026

When the maples turn, Kyoto’s temples open their gardens after dark for a few weeks only. Starting from Yachiyo beside Nanzenji, this guide lists this season’s illuminations in order of distance, from Eikando a short walk away to Arashiyama and Kibune.

Dates and fees are based on information published in August 2026. Please check each temple’s official site before you go. Travel times from the inn are approximate. Fees are per adult.

Your evening in Kyoto

Maple leaves lit at night in Kyoto — images/lightup/hero.jpg2400×1030px recommended

Season calendar

Which temples are lit, and when, from late October to December. The green line marks your chosen date.

Open on your date Viewing period

Temples & shrines

Listed from nearest to farthest. Japanese names are shown so you can show them to a taxi driver.

Suggestions from the inn

Eikando before dinner

Eikando is a short walk from the inn. The first hour after the lights come on is usually the calmest. Let us know at check-in and we will time your dinner around it.

Two in Higashiyama per night

Shorenin, Chionin, Kodaiji and Kiyomizu-dera sit close together, but their last entry times differ. Visit the one that closes earliest first.

Go further by taxi

For Arashiyama, Kibune or Kitano Tenmangu, the front desk can arrange a taxi for you, including your ride back.

Source: “Autumn Night Special Viewing and Foliage Illumination,” Souda Kyoto (information as of August 2026, Japanese). Descriptions written by Yachiyo.

東山界隈

Our neighbourhood

Kyoto was Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868, and the Higashiyama hills on the city’s east side hold many of its oldest temples, gardens and streets. Yachiyo sits on the lane that leads to Nanzenji, so much of it is within walking distance.

Within walking distance

Nanzenji Temple & Sanmon Gate 3 min
Eikando (Zenrinji Temple)
Murin-an Garden
Heian Shrine
Philosopher’s Path
Shoren-in Temple

A short taxi ride

Ginkakuji Temple
Chion-in Temple & Maruyama Park
Yasaka Shrine & Gion
Kodaiji Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple

See top sights near Yachiyo on Google Maps · Things to do in Kyoto

Get the most out of Kyoto sightseeing.

Kyoto promotional movie: Where Every Corner Sparks Discovery.

Seen around Nanzenji

Guests’ photos of the temples on our doorstep. Tap a picture to browse the tag on Instagram, or follow @kyoto_nanzenji_ryokan_yachiyo.

#南禅寺 Nanzenji

#天授庵 Tenjuan

#永観堂 Eikando

#銀閣寺 Ginkakuji

雪山から京都へ

From Japan’s powder to a Kyoto garden

Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen in the Northern Alps of Nagano, and Niseko in Hokkaido, are among Japan’s best-known ski areas, with deep, dry snow and large resorts. Hakuba hosted alpine and Nordic events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics; the ski jump stadium is still in use, and the Olympic memorial hall nearby is worth a short visit.

Many guests add a few quiet days in Kyoto after their ski trip. The Nagano resorts reach Kyoto Station in about five to six hours by train, Niseko in Hokkaido in a day by air, and Yachiyo is a short taxi ride from the station, three minutes’ walk from Nanzenji Temple.

Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen snow resorts, and Kyoto

4resort areas

5–6 hrsfrom Nagano by train

7–8 hrsfrom Niseko by air

From Nagano, step by step

Two rail routes reach Kyoto. Via Tsuruga uses the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Thunderbird express. Via Nagoya uses the Shinano express and the Tokaido Shinkansen. Times are approximate and exclude transfers.

Hakuba ski area — images/snow/hakuba.jpg1200×675px recommended

Hakuba白馬

To Kyoto about 5 hrs

The largest ski area in the Northern Alps, with ten resorts in the Hakuba Valley.

Via Tsuruga

Hakuba Alpico bus about 1 hr
Nagano Station Hokuriku Shinkansen about 2.5–3 hrs
Tsuruga Station Thunderbird about 50 min
Kyoto Station

Via Nagoya

Hakuba Alpico bus about 1 hr
Nagano Station Shinano express about 3 hrs
Nagoya Station Tokaido Shinkansen about 35 min
Kyoto Station

To reach Kyoto the same evening, leave Hakuba by 17:00. A seasonal Alpico highway bus also runs between Hakuba and Kyoto Station.

Shiga Kogen ski area — images/snow/shigakogen.jpg1200×675px recommended

Shiga Kogen志賀高原

To Kyoto about 6 hrs

A high plateau of linked resorts, close to the snow monkeys of Jigokudani near Yudanaka.

Via Tsuruga

Shiga Kogen Nagaden bus about 1–1.5 hrs
Nagano Station Hokuriku Shinkansen about 2.5–3 hrs
Tsuruga Station Thunderbird about 50 min
Kyoto Station

Via Nagoya

Shiga Kogen Nagaden bus about 1–1.5 hrs
Nagano Station Shinano express about 3 hrs
Nagoya Station Tokaido Shinkansen about 35 min
Kyoto Station

Buses run to Nagano Station East Exit. You can also take a bus to Yudanaka and the Nagano Electric Railway to Nagano. To reach Kyoto the same evening, leave Shiga Kogen by 17:00.

Nozawa Onsen ski area — images/snow/nozawa.jpg1200×675px recommended

Nozawa Onsen野沢温泉

To Kyoto about 5–5.5 hrs

A hot-spring village at the foot of the slopes, with free public baths along its lanes.

Via Tsuruga

Nozawa Onsen Nozawa Onsen Liner about 25 min
Iiyama Station Hokuriku Shinkansen about 2.5–3 hrs
Tsuruga Station Thunderbird about 50 min
Kyoto Station

Via Nagoya

Nozawa Onsen Nozawa Onsen Liner about 25 min
Iiyama Station Hokuriku Shinkansen about 12 min
Nagano Station Shinano express about 3 hrs
Nagoya Station Tokaido Shinkansen about 35 min
Kyoto Station

Iiyama is a Hokuriku Shinkansen stop, so the Tsuruga route needs no change at Nagano. To reach Kyoto the same evening, leave Nozawa by 17:00.

From Hokkaido: Niseko

Niseko is too far for the train, so the fastest way to Kyoto is a short domestic flight from New Chitose Airport to one of the three Kansai airports. Times are approximate and exclude check-in and transfers.

Niseko ski area with Mount Yotei — images/snow/niseko.jpg1600×600px recommended

Nisekoニセコ

To Kyoto about 7–8 hrs including airport time

Japan’s best-known powder destination, with long, wide runs and backcountry reached through gates at the resorts and on guided tours. Mount Yotei, an almost perfect volcanic cone, stands across the valley. Niseko is especially popular with skiers from Australia.

Via Itami (Osaka)

Niseko Airport bus about 3 hrs
New Chitose Airport JAL / ANA about 1 hr 55 min
Itami Airport Airport Limousine about 55 min
Kyoto Station

Closest airport to Kyoto, with the most direct bus.

Via Kansai International

Niseko Airport bus about 3 hrs
New Chitose Airport JAL / ANA / Peach / Jetstar about 2 hrs 20 min
Kansai Airport JR Haruka about 75 min
Kyoto Station

Most flights and the widest choice of fares. The Airport Limousine bus takes about 1 hr 40 min.

Via Kobe

Niseko Airport bus about 3 hrs
New Chitose Airport ANA / AIRDO / Skymark about 2 hrs 5 min
Kobe Airport Port Liner about 18 min
Sannomiya JR Special Rapid about 50 min
Kyoto Station

Fewer flights. There is no direct bus to Kyoto.

Airport buses from Niseko (Resort Liner, White Liner, Chuo Bus) need a reservation in winter. Allow at least an hour at New Chitose before your flight, and more on snowy days. Low-cost airlines charge extra for skis and checked bags.

Travel tips from the inn

Send your skis ahead

Japan’s luggage delivery services can carry skis and large bags from your resort hotel to the next stop, usually arriving the next day. Please contact us before sending anything to the inn.

Book seats on busy days

Trains fill up around New Year and during the Lunar New Year holidays. Reserve Shinkansen and express seats as early as you can.

Rest in Kyoto

After days on the slopes, take a long soak in our onsen-style baths and a slow kaiseki dinner overlooking the garden.

Times are approximate and change with each timetable revision. Please check the bus and train operators’ timetables before you travel.

お知らせ

News from the inn

Award

The first MICHELIN Key hotels in Japan

In July 2024 the MICHELIN Guide announced its first Key distinctions for hotels in Japan. Like Stars for restaurants, Keys mark the most outstanding stays, judged on architecture and design, service, character, value, and contribution to the guest’s experience of a place.

About the MICHELIN Key

Rooms

New futons in every room

In January 2025 we replaced the Japanese futons in all guest rooms, for a softer and warmer night’s sleep on the tatami.

See our rooms

Culture

Onsen culture for UNESCO

We support the campaign to inscribe Japan’s onsen culture as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Hot-spring bathing has healed body and mind for centuries, and the inns that carry it on face an ageing population and a shortage of staff.

Learn about the campaign

八千代に泊まる

Stay at Yachiyo

A long-established ryokan on the approach to Nanzenji, with chic Japanese-style rooms, onsen-style baths and gardens that change colour with every season.

Garden

A garden by Ogawa Jihei

The gardens around the main building were designed by Ogawa Jihei, and are fed by water drawn from Lake Biwa. Trees surround the house on every side, and the garden is lit every evening.

The main building

Dining

Washoku overlooking the garden

Our restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine, including kaiseki and sukiyaki, Shabushabu from ¥15180. Vegetarian Hot Pot meals are available, and we are happy to discuss other requests.

Japanese dining

The renovated main building

Built in 1890, the Honkan main building has been renovated: Kiku, Tsurukame, Take, Matsu, Yugiri, Ukifune and Horai. Six rooms now have larger onsen-style bathrooms, and one garden-side suite has its own sauna.

Vacation Value Package

Stay two nights or more for 10–45% off, with early booking savings. Package rates differ from our regular rates.

See package rates

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo Established in 1915

Kyoto News from Yachiyo