Kinkakuji Temple

4.84 Reviews
Photo: marcociannarel / Shutterstock.com

Well known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is a three-story Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto. Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) were built in the 13th century and were originally intended as noble villas for the Ashikaga shoguns. Today the building is also known as Rokuon-ji.

Overview

Address

1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture (Directions)

Hours

9:00 - 17:00 Closed now

Opening Hours

Monday 9:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 9:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 9:00 - 17:00
Thursday 9:00 - 17:00
Friday 9:00 - 17:00
Saturday 9:00 - 17:00
Sunday 9:00 - 17:00
Holidays 9:00 - 17:00

Price

¥400

Phone Number

075-461-0013

Website

https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/en/kinkakuji/

What's unique

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

General Amenities

  • Information Counter
  • Free guides/pamphlets

Access

City Bus Stop Kinkakuji-mae / City Bus Stop Kingaku-ji-michi

Related Articles

10 articles
Kinkakuji Temple in Summer

Kinkakuji Temple in Summer

Stefanus Husin

Kinkakuji Temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion in northern Kyoto. The top two floors of the pavilion is covered in gold leaf and it is surrounded with a large pond, the reflection of the temple is amazing, particularly on a sunny summer's day. You will follow a walk path that guides you around the temple area and when you are done, you will be able to enjoy tea and dessert surrounded with trees to rest your body and buy some souvenirs if you wish in the gift shop at the end of it.

Kyoto 13.1k 2
Kinkaku-ji
Culture

Kinkaku-ji

Katrina Webber

The Golden Pavilion is on of the most recognized sights in Japan. See the gold-leafed structure in all its glory.

Kyoto 16.3k 3
The Spirit of Kyoto
Culture

The Spirit of Kyoto

Elena Lisina

Kyoto is rich with temples, shrines, souvenir & gift shops, people dressed in kimono and other attractions, but there are also many places that are rather quiet, where you can just rest - like at the embankment of Kamogawa River.

Kyoto 7.3k 2
Kinkakuji
Culture

Kinkakuji

Steve Leavett-Brown

Kinkakuji, more commonly known as the Golden Temple, is as beautiful as it is enigmatic. Originally constructed as a villa, so when you are strolling around its extensive grounds, there is a feel of a perfectly manicured country garden, rather than a place of enlightenment.

Kyoto 11.4k 3
Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji
Culture

Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji

Andre Moreira

Kyoto was named the world's best city by Travel and Leisure in 2014, and when you visit gardens like Kinkaku-ji (also called the Golden Pavilion), it is easy to see why. It also attracts a large number of local and overseas visitors, so the place is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon. However seeing groups of Japanese school children here adds to its own charm.

Kyoto 8.3k
View all articles

Kinkakuji Temple

4.8

4 Reviews
  • 5 star 3
  • 4 star 1
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0

Reviews

Near Kinkakuji Temple

Matsui House
Accommodation

Matsui House

Hal Jones

Mrs. Matsui’s family home was previously a workshop that produced hand-woven obi sashes. Today, the guest room is open for guests to experience an authentic side of Kyoto, with views of the courtyard garden on two sides.  Experience sleeping Japanese style on the futon bedding, laid out on a tatami straw mat. There is air conditioning and heating, as well as tea making facilities.  Like many old houses, the shower and bathroom are located in the courtyard.  Alternatively, walk down to the public bath or sento, or try the bicycle to explore further afield.  Kinkakuji, or the Golden Temple is a short ride away, as is the Ryoanji stone garden.

Kyoto 7.6k 2
Ryokan Yamazaki
Accommodation

Ryokan Yamazaki

Erik OBrien

A hidden gem, Ryokan Yamazaki is worth the 30 minute bus ride from central Kyoto. Tranquil surroundings, hearty food and family treatment will start & end your day right.

Kyoto 10.0k 3
Aburi-mochi at Ichiwa & Kazariya
Food

Aburi-mochi at Ichiwa & Kazariya

Meg Sing

Ichiwa is an thousand year old store with longstanding connections with Yasurai Matsuri festival at Imamiya Shrine selling aburi-mochi, grilled glutinous rice flour cakes.

Kyoto 26.3k 2
Sarasa Nishijin
Food

Sarasa Nishijin

Shinobu Ishikawa

An 80-year-old bathhouse is transformed into a cafe, whilst retaining its features reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award winning film 'Spirited Away'.

Kyoto 4.7k 9
Kitano Tenmangu
Culture

Kitano Tenmangu

Known for its academic blessings, Kitano Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto’s Kamigyo ward that is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, an influential scholar and politician. The shrine was built in 947 AD and is Japan’s first shrine to enshrine an actual person as a deity. Although there are numerous shrines throughout Japan dedicated to Michizane who is mainly known as a god of academics, Kitano Tenmangu is the original one. The massive Ro-mon Gate stands as the border between the city and the shrine grounds. This wooden structure, detailed with gold-and-wooden carvings, serves as an introduction to the architectural mastery ahead. Upon entering, it is customary to go to the chozuya and perform a hand-cleansing ritual. After you complete the ritual, explore the shrine’s tranquil grounds.

Kyoto 1.1km away
Ryoan-ji Temple
Culture

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoanji Temple is home to Japan’s most famous Zen stone garden and one of Kyoto’s most iconic scenes. Believed to be built back in the Muromachi period (14th - 16th century), the origin and designer of the garden is still unknown to this day. The stones in the garden are intentionally placed so that one cannot view all 15 stones from any one angle. The meticulous design of this karesansui (Japanese rock garden) leads many to credit the celebrated artist, Soami, as the garden’s creator—albeit unproven. The 248-square meter garden bears little trace of greenery, and is instead immaculately lined with raked white gravel. The seemingly random placement of the stones adds to the mystique of Ryoan-ji, its abstract layout leaving visitors questioning the meaning and purpose of the garden. While the garden remains a mystery, the history of Ryoanji Temple is well documented. The temple buildings were originally a Heian Period villa, and were converted into a Zen temple in 1450. Now, Ryoanji is part of the Myoshin-ji school in the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. In 1994, Ryoanji’s immaculate zen stone garden was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is also designated as a Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto.

Kyoto 1.1km away
Ninna-ji Temple
Culture

Ninna-ji Temple

Ninna-ji Temple was founded in 888 and is a Buddhist temple in northeast Kyoto that is closely associated with the imperial family of Japan. It is the main temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. There are many Omuro School temples throughout Japan and many priests from these temples come to Ninna-ji to attend Buddhist services and to study and train in the main temple of their sect. Ninna-ji Temple is known not only for the building itself, but also for its prime location as a viewpoint for the late cherry blossom. He also has a beautiful Japanese garden from which you can see the famous five-story pagoda. Behind Ninna-ji Temple is the Omuro Pilgrimage, a shorter version of the Shikoku pilgrimage. This route can be covered in about two hours on foot, but is believed to have the same meaning as the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Kyoto 1.7km away
Explore Kyoto