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Murou-ji Temple Autumn Leaves Festival

Murou-ji Temple is the Kansai region's best kept secret for autumn foliage and this year, along with their traditional autumn leaves festival, the temple is offering an exclusive premium tour package with fine dining, traditional workshops and night-time private tours.

Murou-ji Temple is located upstream along the Murou River, near the border of Nara and Mie Prefectures. The temple grounds are home to national treasures such as the Golden Hall (Kondo) and the Five-story Pagoda. The scenery during the autumn foliage season, with vibrant maple and ginkgo trees, is particularly stunning. A highlight is the path from the Taiko Bridge to the Main Hall. Especially noteworthy is the nighttime illumination, where a dragon ascending the Five-story Pagoda—a symbol tied to the temple's connection with dragon deities—is projected.

During the festival, a premium tour will be offered, where participants can visit normally restricted national treasures and cultural assets with commentary from temple monks.

Here's a rundown of the 3 exclusive tours available

Premium Tour

Artistic Journey to Enjoy Stunning Autumn Foliage with Traditional "Kyogen" Performance, Concert, and Dinner

A private tour of Murou-ji Temple adorned with beautiful autumn leaves. Enjoy a special nighttime viewing led by monks and experience a traditional Japanese "Kyogen" performance. After the performance, indulge in a special dinner featuring locally sourced Haibara beef, only available in this region.

Date: November 25–26, 2024

Cost: ¥70,000

Traditional Arts & Workshop

"Revitalize Mind and Body through Traditional Arts"

Kyogen Performance by Female Kyogen Masters Izumi Junko and Miyake Tokuro & Special Workshop

Built around 1,400 years ago, Murouji Temple was one of the few temples that allowed women to worship when other sacred sites like Mount Koya were restricted. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese aesthetics and graceful movements through a Kyogen performance by Japan’s only female Kyogen masters.

Date: November 23–24, 2024

Cost: ¥20,000

Private Night Tour

Private Night Tour of Murou-ji Temple During the Autumn Leaves Festival Led by Monks

Murou-ji Temple is renowned as a hidden gem for autumn foliage in Nara. During the festival period, the temple grounds will be illuminated at night. Monks will guide participants on an exclusive nighttime tour of the temple’s grounds, including national treasures such as the Golden Hall and Five-story Pagoda. Participants will also gain access to normally restricted areas like the Golden Hall.

Date: November 2–December 1, 2024

Cost: ¥8,000