Kinkakuji Zen Buddhist Temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion and is one of the most beautiful monuments in Kyoto.

The Golden Kinkakuji Temple was built in 1397, damaged and rebuilt several times, and is now in the form it was built in the 14th century.

Along with 16 other sites in Kyoto, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Golden Temple in the Japanese Garden

The main building of the Kinkaku-ji complex attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world.

The building's facade is covered with 0.5 μm thick gold leaf. The use of gold is particularly symbolic. The gold was meant to purify the soul from negative thoughts towards death.

The Golden Pavilion stands on the shore of a small lake in the middle of a beautiful Japanese garden, which is at its most beautiful in the second half of November, when the leaves on the trees are turning colour.

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji Temple Park

Admission and opening hours

The grounds are open every day from 9:00-17:00.

The ticket price is 400 jpy and can be paid by cash or card.

Access is only allowed to the gardens and it is not possible to enter the interior of the Golden Pavilion.

Official website: shokoku-ji.jp/en/kinkakuji.

Entrance to Kinkakuji Temple

How to get there

Kinkaku-ji Temple is located on the northern outskirts of Kyoto and is only accessible by city buses. The bus stop about 100 meters from the entrance is called "Kinkakuji-michi".

Prices and ticket types are described in the Transportation chapter.

Kitaoji (green subway line towards the centre and Kyoto Station) - lines 102, 204, 205, journey time 15 minutes
Kyoto Station - direct line 205 (journey time 45 minutes) or take the Green Line subway to Kitaoji Station and then take the bus (journey time 30 minutes)
Nijo Castle - line 12, journey time 30 minutes
Gion - line 12, journey time 45 minutes
Ginkaku-ji - line 204, journey time 40 minutes
Shimogamojinja - line 205, journey time 30 minutes
Kyoto Imperail Palace - line 205, journey time 35 minutes
Saiin (transfer to Hankyu Railway) - line 205, journey time 30 minutes
Nishi Honganji - line 205, journey time 40 minutes
Ninnaji - line 59, journey time 10 minutes
Arashiyama - first line 59 to Yamagoe-Nakacho terminus and then line 11 bus, journey time 30 minutes