A night event at Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site. It runs in the rain but may be canceled in severe weather. Junior high school students and younger are free.
KyotoNijo-jo Castle
18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
Price: High school age and up: Mon–Thu ¥2,000, Fri–Sun and holidays ¥2,400. Junior high school age and under free
A night event at Higashi Honganji Temple and Shosei-en Garden. On Nov 6–8 and Nov 25, only Shosei-en is open.
KyotoHigashi Honganji & Shosei-en
18:00–22:00 (Higashi Honganji last entry 21:00, viewing until 21:20)
Price: Junior high school age and up: Mon–Thu ¥2,100, Fri–Sun and holidays ¥2,300. Elementary school age ¥1,500 / ¥1,700 (different prices on Shosei-en-only days)
Image: Keihan Hotels & Resorts (press release)
A real fir tree about 7 m tall stands on the hotel's grand staircase. There's also a Christmas parfait afternoon tea (Nov 27 – Dec 25, ¥7,400 per person, book by noon two days before) and free concerts beside the tree.
KyotoTHE THOUSAND KYOTO (1F grand staircase, 2F TEA AND BAR)
Concerts on Dec 19, 20, 23, 24 and 25 (times to be announced on the official site)
Image: PISTA & TOKYO (press release)
A pistachio sweets specialist from Tokyo comes to Kyoto for a limited time, with pistachio sandwich cookies (5 pieces ¥1,350) and more. It's right in the Kyoto Station building area, so it's easy to stop by for a gift.
KyotoJR Kyoto Isetan, B1F east entrance promotion space
10:00–20:00
Image: Hilton Kyoto (press release, background partly AI-generated)
A Christmas-only sweets buffet with reindeer Paris-Brest and ornament-style sweets, plus Mont Blanc and hot chocolate finished in front of you. Reservation required.
KyotoHilton Kyoto, 1F all-day dining Teori
15:00–16:30 (last order)
Price: Adults ¥5,800, ages 6–11 ¥2,900, 5 and under free (tax and service included)
A courtyard installation for the hotel's 40th anniversary that changes with the seasons. The Christmas edition runs in the evening and is free to enter (workshops cost extra).
KyotoThe Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, courtyard
17:00–23:00
Price: Free entry (workshops cost extra)