Timeline
06:39
Arrive at Myōman-ji before the sun crests the horizon. The grounds are free, so you can wander the quiet paths and find a quiet spot in the garden or near the main hall to wait for the light.
07:04
Watch the sunrise. On 15 January, the sun sets toward the WSW, but in the morning it rises in the east, casting long, golden shadows across the temple complex and the replica of Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple.
07:29
Walk 12 minutes to Cafe Libra for a warm drink to start the day. It is open from 09:00 until sunset on weekends and holidays, making it a perfect post-sunrise stop.
Local tip
Myōman-ji entrance to the main hall and garden is ¥300. The grounds themselves are free.
Check before you go
- Cafe Libra is open Fr, Sa, Su, PH from 09:00-sunset.
- Check the route to Myōman-ji in advance as directions are not provided in the local guide.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kyoto (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).