Special autumn viewings began on October 13th at Ninnaji Temple (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City), the head temple of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism. A new ''sea of clouds'' has been added to the illumination, and the precincts will be illuminated in a dreamlike manner with clouds, which are deeply connected to Buddhism as the vehicle of the Buddha.
The illumination of Ninna-ji Temple has been held in spring and autumn since 2019, except for 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. This fall's project cost will be approximately 28 million yen, and will be subsidized by the Japan Tourism Agency's ''Tourism Restart Project.''
Along the approximately 150-meter approach path that connects the Chumon Gate and the Kondo Hall (a national treasure), 336 nozzles are lined up to spray microscopic water particles that look like clouds. A sea of clouds floated through the temple grounds, illuminated by light, and buildings that were designated national treasures floated in the darkness.
Ninnaji's chief executive, Sanon Obayashi, said, ''We came up with a plan that many people would want to visit.We want them to experience a different space that they don't normally see.''
During the special viewing, the five great kings depicted on the inner wall of the ''Ura-do'' on the north side of the main hall will be exhibited for the first time in five years.
Light-up applications will be accepted from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Fridays through Mondays and holidays (excluding November 20th and 27th and December 1st) until December 3rd. In addition to the light-up hours, Godai Myoo is illuminated from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October 14 to December 3 (excluding October 31 and November 1, 16, and 17). Applications will also be accepted until 4:00 p.m. There is an admission fee for both, but it is free for high school students and younger.
