Night light-ups are seasonal
Special night openings and light-ups at Higashiyama temples, near the station and some gardens cluster around cherry and maple weeks — not every night year-round. Check that temple’s seasonal notice; without a light-up, do not night-hop axes for a checklist.
Reservations: moss temple / villa class
Saiho-ji (moss), Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin often require advance booking or lottery per public notices — same-day walk-ups usually fail. If a spot is not in this pack, do not pivot the axis to force it; use temples open that day. Official pages win.
Gion Matsuri and peak weeks
Gion Matsuri is mainly July (float schedules follow that year’s notice); Shijo and Gion are packed — start Higashiyama earlier or skew off peak hours. New Year, cherry and maple weeks: one axis — do not add a second.