What other travelers are saying about Kodai-ji Temple
An excellent temple to visit in the morning. The temple is very wonderful, vibrant and has astonishing beauty to it.
The price is 800 yen but it is worth it. You can also visit the bamboo forest near by. While in winter it is still quite pretty to view. The gardens are also very nice to visit too.
Recommend going early as the temple opens around 8:45 am, to avoid major crowds
Wonderful temple complex with many things to see and a small bamboos forest to walk through. If you have luck you will even have time to catch some nice pictures. Can get quite busy though. Entrance fee is rather low so it is worth the visit.
Highly recommend coming here at night! (But be sure to check night opening timings because it seems to change throughout the year.) Went on a weekday night at about 8.30 or 9pm. The temple and grounds are nothing special to be honest. There is a small light show using the wall and gate as the backdrop and a lovely little pond which shows a nice reflection. But most worth coming for the small bamboo forest which is illuminated at night. There were very few people when we visited and it felt otherworldly!
This temple is established in 1606 by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It's beautifully blends with with nature and the well maintained meticulously designed gardens including the beautiful landscaped rock garden. There is also a small bamboo grove offering a serene path for reflection. The temple itself is adorned with intricate lacquerwork and gold. There is an entrance fee to visit this temple.
(Trip was made back then on 15 Nov 2022)
We visited Kodaiji Temple for the autumn night illumination on 15 Nov 2022, with high hopes of witnessing the vibrant fall foliage that Kyoto is famous for.
Unfortunately, most of the maple trees were still green, with only a few showing hints of autumn colors, which left us somewhat disappointed.
However, the experience was redeemed by two unforgettable highlights. The projection mapping show in the main hall was absolutely spectacular—an intricate blend of light, sound, and art that brought the temple’s history and spirituality to life in a modern, captivating way.
Equally enchanting was the illuminated bamboo forest. The clever use of lighting created a magical atmosphere, with the moving shimmering lights resembling tiny fireflies or fairies dancing among the tall bamboo stalks.
Though the lack of autumn colors dampened our expectations, the serene ambiance and unique nighttime displays made the visit worthwhile.
