Kyoto's maple tunnel train: Eizan Railway slows down and lights up the leaves, 7 Nov – 6 Dec
叡山電車「もみじのトンネル」徐行運転・ライトアップ
Trains to Kurama crawl through a 250 m tunnel of autumn maples by day and glide through it with cabin lights off after dark; a reserved-seat special stops inside it in mid to late November.
When7 Nov – 6 Dec 2026
WhereIchihara – Ninose (Eizan Kurama Line), Kyoto
Between Ichihara and Ninose stations on its Kurama Line, Eizan Electric Railway runs through a stretch of about 250 m lined with maple trees, known as the Momiji Tunnel. From Saturday 7 November to Sunday 6 December 2026, trains slow down through it so passengers can take in the autumn colours.
After sunset the tunnel is lit up and trains switch off their interior lights as they pass slowly through. Ninose, Kibuneguchi and Kurama stations are lit up as well. The railway's Kirara panoramic trains run some of the lit-up services.
From 13 to 30 November there is also one all-reserved Momiji light-up special train a day, running after the regular light-up ends. On the way out it stops for about three minutes inside the tunnel, and on the way back it stops for about five minutes at Ninose so riders can see the station's leaves. Dates may be extended depending on the colours.
For visitors
- Trains start at Demachiyanagi (connected to the Keihan Line). Kibuneguchi is the stop for Kibune Shrine, and Kurama for Kurama-dera temple.
- Ordinary trains need only a normal ticket; the special light-up train has a limited number of reserved seats — see Eizan Railway's notice for how to book.
- Mid to late November is peak leaf season in Kyoto — weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid on Eizan Railway.
Sources
- Eizan Electric Railway news release (22 Oct 2026, PDF) (official, Japanese)
Summarised in our own words from the sources above; last checked 3 Nov 2026. Plans can change — confirm with the operator before you travel.
