Sunrise
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Area: Fushimi Ward
The thousand torii gates get crowded by day; around sunrise the crowds thin out and the light is softest, making it the best time to photograph the gate tunnels.
A city-focused calendar of blue hour, golden hour, sunrise, sunset and moon phase for planning dawn, dusk, cityscape and travel shoots in Kyoto.
| Date | Blue hour | Golden hour | Sunrise | Sunset | Tonight's Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-27 | 04:58-05:24 / 18:32-18:58 | 05:24-05:58 / 17:58-18:32 | 05:24 | 18:32 | Waxing Gibbous 99% |
| 2026-08-28 | 04:59-05:25 / 18:31-18:57 | 05:25-05:59 / 17:57-18:31 | 05:25 | 18:31 | Full Moon 100% |
| 2026-08-29 | 05:00-05:26 / 18:29-18:55 | 05:26-06:00 / 17:56-18:29 | 05:26 | 18:29 | Waning Gibbous 99% |
| 2026-08-30 | 05:00-05:27 / 18:28-18:54 | 05:27-06:00 / 17:54-18:28 | 05:27 | 18:28 | Waning Gibbous 96% |
| 2026-08-31 | 05:01-05:27 / 18:27-18:53 | 05:27-06:01 / 17:53-18:27 | 05:27 | 18:27 | Waning Gibbous 90% |
| 2026-09-01 | 05:02-05:28 / 18:25-18:51 | 05:28-06:02 / 17:52-18:25 | 05:28 | 18:25 | Waning Gibbous 83% |
| 2026-09-02 | 05:03-05:29 / 18:24-18:50 | 05:29-06:02 / 17:50-18:24 | 05:29 | 18:24 | Waning Gibbous 74% |
Today the Sun rises from East (76°) and sets toward West (283°); choose the foreground by direction before timing the shot.
Daylight in Kyoto is shrinking by about 14 minutes week over week; today lasts about 13h 08m.
Today’s morning/evening golden-hour windows in Kyoto are about 34 / 34 minutes.
Across these seven days, 2026-08-28 has the brightest moon (100%), while 2026-09-02 is darkest (74%); choose by whether you want foreground light or stars.
Use the local times above to plan when to arrive, then choose a viewpoint by direction: east and southeast for sunrise, west coast for sunset.
Sunrise
Area: Fushimi Ward
The thousand torii gates get crowded by day; around sunrise the crowds thin out and the light is softest, making it the best time to photograph the gate tunnels.
Sunset
Area: Nishikyo, Arashiyama
The Katsura River, the bridge and the hills behind it all catch the warm sunset light together — Arashiyama's classic evening view.
Sunset
Area: Higashiyama Ward
The elevated wooden stage looks out over Kyoto city and the distant hills; at dusk the temple lights contrast with the darkening sky, especially popular in autumn foliage season.
This calendar lays out upcoming twilight windows so you can choose warm light, cool light, silhouettes, or Moon shots before leaving.
Blue hour
Before sunrise and after sunset, the sky still has tone while street and building lights become visible. It is strong for bridges, streets, skylines, and reflections.
Golden hour
Low Sun angles create softer light and longer shadows. Landscapes, portraits, coastlines, and ridgelines gain clearer direction in this window.
Moon
Bright moonlight can reveal foreground detail but may reduce star contrast. If you want the Moon in frame, also check moonrise, moonset, and direction.
The best light lasts only minutes. Having a visual idea before arrival is more reliable than searching at the peak.
Arrival
Sunrise and sunset change quickly. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to test composition, safe movement, and backup angles.
Frame
Reflections, wet pavement, street lamps, silhouettes, ridgelines, and buildings often carry the image. The timetable tells you when light arrives; the scene makes the photo.
Backup
A blocked sunset is not a failed trip. Cloud texture, silhouettes, street lights, wet reflections, and blue hour can all become alternative subjects.
Related tools: Sunrise & Sunset · Photography Golden Hour Planner · Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score