Kyoto Prefecture · Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)

An autumn special opening exploring the study hall associated with Emperor Go-Mizunoo and the beauty of Shōgoin

Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition

Name: Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition（Period 10）
Start: 2026-12-04
End: 2026-12-06
Location: Shōgoin Monzeki

Cultural properties

An image themed around the Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition

Festival information

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 第1期：2026/10/10 〜 2026/10/12Ended第2期：2026/10/16 〜 2026/10/18Ended第3期：2026/10/21 〜 2026/10/22Ended第4期：2026/10/23 〜 2026/10/25Ended第5期：2026/10/30 〜 2026/11/01Ended第6期：2026/11/03Ended第7期：2026/11/06 〜 2026/11/08Ended第8期：2026/11/13 〜 2026/11/15Happening now第9期：2026/11/20 〜 2026/11/23Scheduled第10期：2026/12/04 〜 2026/12/06Scheduled
Season / frequency: Autumn / Shōgoin’s autumn special opening is held every year.
Location: Shōgoin Monzeki
Area: Kyoto Prefecture・Sakyo-ku, Kyoto(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
Features: Advance registration required Paid
Participation / viewing: Spectators welcome
Participation fee: Adults: ¥800; junior high, high school, and university students: ¥600; free for elementary school students and younger (must be accompanied by a guardian). Groups of 15 or more pay ¥700 per person.
Age restrictions: Free for elementary school students and younger; must be accompanied by a guardian
Required number of participants: Groups of 10 or more must book in advance. Groups of 15 or more pay ¥700 per person.
Last updated: 2026/11/14

A special exhibition introducing the history of Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin accompanies the autumn special opening at Shōgoin Monzeki. Explore the architecture and art passed down at the temple through its Important Cultural Property study hall, the partition paintings in the Shinden, and works of calligraphy and painting associated with the imperial family.

About Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition

Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition（Kyoto Prefecture・Sakyo-ku, Kyoto） · 2026 festival poster — 2026 Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition — Created by Japanese Festivals.jp

This event combines the autumn special opening at Shōgoin Monzeki with a special exhibition introducing the relationship between Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin.

You can see normally closed buildings and temple treasures, including the Important Cultural Property study hall, said to have been designed with the involvement of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, and the Kano-school gold-and-blue partition paintings preserved in the Shinden.

Shōgoin is the head temple of Honzan Shugenshū, which traces its origins to En no Gyōja, and also preserves a history as an imperial monzeki whose head priests included members of the imperial family and regent families.

Festival highlights

A highlight is the refined design of the study hall, said to have been designed with the involvement of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.

You can examine details of the building and its decoration, including imported plate glass in the flower-shaped windows, openwork brackets, and a structure featuring slender pillars.

Around 120 Kano-school gold-and-blue partition paintings are on view in the Shinden, while the special exhibition features Emperor Go-Mizunoo’s own calligraphy, including “忍” and “研覃,” works shown for the first time, and works by Kano Tan’yū.

An autumn special opening exploring the study hall associated with Emperor Go-Mizunoo and the beauty of Shōgoin

What to expect

During the opening, visitors can see, in sequence, the Kano-school gold-and-blue partition paintings in the main entrance and the messengers’ room, the Buddhist statues and partition paintings in the Shinden, and the principal image in the main hall.

The special exhibition includes the Important Cultural Property study hall, Emperor Go-Mizunoo’s own calligraphy and a calligraphy album, related temple treasures, and works by Kano Tan’yū, including “View of Tomogashima, Kishu” and “Shakyamuni Triad.”

The exhibits may change. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission closes at 4 p.m.

How to take part

Admission is ¥800 for adults, ¥600 for junior high, high school, and university students, and free for elementary school students and younger.

Children of elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. Groups of 15 or more pay ¥700 per person, and groups of 10 or more must book in advance.

Group reservations are handled by Kyoto Shunju; the reservation fax number is 075-231-6420.

Location and access

Venue and address: Shōgoin Monzeki, 15 Shōgoin Nakamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Train and bus: Get off at Kumano -mae bus stop and walk about 4–5 minutes / Get off at Jingū-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Main Line and walk 10 minutes

Address 〒606-8324 15 Shōgoin Nakamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

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Dates and season

Period 1: 2026/10/10〜2026/10/12
Period 2: 2026/10/16〜2026/10/18
Period 3: 2026/10/21〜2026/10/22
Period 4: 2026/10/23〜2026/10/25
Period 5: 2026/10/30〜2026/11/01
Period 6: 2026/11/03
Period 7: 2026/11/06〜2026/11/08
Period 8: 2026/11/13〜2026/11/15
Period 9: 2026/11/20〜2026/11/23
Period 10: 2026/12/04〜2026/12/06

Scheduled to take place on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from October 10, 2026 (Sat) to December 6 (Sun), as well as October 21 (Wed) and the 22nd (Thu).

November 27 (Fri) to the 29th (Sun) are listed as closure days.

Opening hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (admission closes at 4 p.m.).

Additional closure days for temple duties may also occur.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

The exhibits may change.

京都市上京区にある神社

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Photo and data sources

写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Origins and History of Shōgoin Autumn Special Opening and Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Collaborative Event: “Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shōgoin” Exhibition

Shōgoin traces its beginnings to 1090, when the temple was given a name incorporating 2 characters from the phrase “Shōtai Goj” to the Great Priest Zōyo.

Around the Kan’ei era, it stood at Karasuma Kamidachiuri, in a different location from today, and Prince Dōkō, a half-brother of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, served as its head priest.

After it was destroyed in the great fire of 1675, it was rebuilt at its present site in 1676. It is said that the study hall, originally part of the residence of Empress Consort Ōshunmon’in, a consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, was relocated there at that time.

Official information

聖護院門跡公式サイト：Official website of Shōgoin Monzeki