1,001 Buddhist Statues Illuminated at Kyoto Temple Hall in Limited-time Event

The Yomiuri Shimbun

19:13 JST, November 22, 2025

KYOTO — The Sanjusangendo temple hall in Kyoto was filled with a solemn atmosphere when its 1,001 golden Buddhist statues were illuminated on Friday evening, the day before the start of its first special evening event for the public.

Established in 1164 on the order of Emperor Goshirakawa, the 120-meter-long hall houses the 1,001 gold-leafed statues, each of which are 1.6 meters tall. They stand arrayed on 10 steps.

On Friday, the statues were lit up as a test, with all the hall’s 70 paper screen doors removed. Visitors can enjoy seeing the illuminated statues from a garden in front of the hall.

Being held through Monday, the special evening session is the first event of its kind for the temple. It received many requests for such an event after the illuminated statues were featured in a popular TV program.

Admission is ¥2,000 except for preschoolers. Visitors are accepted from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.