My route
Sign in
WorldJapanKyotoKinkaku-jiMy routeRoute

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto

The gold-leaf Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji reflected in the still pond, pine islets in front and hills behind
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
¥500; schoolchildren ¥300
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Hours
Daily 9:00–17:00, all year
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
45 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Route
One-way through the garden, 30–45 minutes
Pavilion
Viewed from outside — no entry
Official name
Rokuon-ji, Rinzai school
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Getting there
Buses 12, 59, 205, M1 to Kinkakuji-michi
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Coordinates
35.03950, 135.72850YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1994the year it joined UNESCO's World Heritage List
Sourceshokoku-ji.jp
Yoshimitsuthe third Ashikaga shogun built his villa here
Sourceshokoku-ji.jp
1397the year Yoshimitsu began building the Kitayamadono villa
Sourceen.wikipedia
Rokuon-jithe official name — from Yoshimitsu's posthumous name
Sourceshokoku-ji.jp
Relicsthe pavilion is a pagoda for relics of the Buddha
Sourceshokoku-ji.jp
Kyokochithe 'mirror pond' that reflects the pavilion
Sourceen.wikipedia
¥500adult entry
Sourceshokoku-ji.jp
Talismanthe entry ticket is a paper temple charm
Sourcetravel guides

What is Kinkaku-ji?

Kinkaku-ji, the 'Temple of the Golden Pavilion', is a Rinzai Zen temple in north-west Kyoto. Its official name is Rokuon-ji, and it's a branch temple of Shokoku-ji. In 1994 it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

This was once Kitayamadono, the villa of the third shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu: its gardens and buildings around the Golden Pavilion were said, in the temple's words, to evoke paradise on earth. After the shogun's death the villa became a temple, as he had wished. The Golden Pavilion itself is actually a pagoda housing relics of the Buddha; the present building dates from 1955, built to the old design.

How the temple works

Tickets cost ¥500 for adults and ¥300 for schoolchildren; the entry ticket is a paper temple charm. The garden route runs one way: first the main viewpoint across Kyokochi pond with its pine islets, then the path circles the pavilion, passes an old well and a teahouse and comes out by a shrine with stalls.

You can't enter the pavilion — it's admired from outside. The first floor is in palace style, the second and third are covered in gold leaf, and a golden phoenix crowns the roof. The whole walk takes 30–45 minutes.

What to see

  • The Golden Pavilion above Kyokochi pond.
  • Its reflection in the water.
  • Pine islets in the pond.
  • The golden phoenix on the roof.
  • The teahouse on the garden slope.
  • The paper talisman ticket as a keepsake.

How to get to Kinkaku-ji

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

Loading the map…

destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From Kyoto Station — city bus 205 to Kinkakuji-michi, about 40 minutes.
  2. Other buses — 12, 59 and M1 to the same stop.
  3. From Ginkaku-ji — bus 102 or 204.
  4. From Ryoan-ji — about 20 minutes on foot or bus 59.
  5. By taxi from the centre — about 20–30 minutes; the temple has a 250-car car park.

Kinkaku-ji or Ginkaku-ji

Kinkaku-jiyou are hereCovered in goldNorth-west KyotoVery heavy¥500
Ginkaku-jiDark wood, no silverNorth-east, by the Philosopher's PathLighterSeparate ticket

How long do you need?

Allow 30–45 minutes for Kinkaku-ji. It pairs easily with the Ryoan-ji rock garden (about 20 minutes on foot) and Ninna-ji temple — the classic north-west Kyoto route.

The bus from Kyoto Station takes about 40 minutes, and at peak times buses are packed — allow extra time or take a taxi.

Is Kinkaku-ji worth visiting?

Yes: the Golden Pavilion above its mirror pond is one of Japan's most beautiful views, and in person it shines brighter than in photos.

The YesGo take: you can't go inside, and the main viewpoint is crowded. Arrive by 9:00, pair it with Ryoan-ji, and don't expect a long walk — it's a short but memorable visit.

Before you go: checklist

Ready: 0 of 5

Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.

Kyoto temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Kyoto rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Fushimi Inari Shrine552 hFree9.0 km
Kiyomizu-dera511 h 30 min≈ ¥5007.2 km
Kinkaku-jiyou are here4845 min¥500—
Yasaka Shrine4830 minFree6.1 km
Philosopher's Path401 hFree6.4 km
Sanjusangen-do3845 minabout ¥6007.0 km
Ryoan-ji3745 min¥60019 min walk
Arashiyama283 hFree6.6 km

North-west Kyoto in a day

The Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji in the morning, the Ryoan-ji rock garden in the afternoon, and Nijo Castle towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Kinkaku-jiyou are here45 min · ¥500
  2. 19 min walk from the previous stopRyoan-ji45 min · ¥600
  3. 60 min walk from the previous stopNijo Castle1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300

3 places · about 4 h 19 min with walks · 79 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Ryoan-ji

Kyoto, Japan

45 min · ¥600 · 19 min walk

How to do it right

  • Arrive at 9:00 opening — fewer people.
  • A sunny day makes the gold brighter.
  • Keep your talisman ticket.
  • The route is one way.
  • Nearby: Ryoan-ji, 20 minutes on foot.

Questions

How much is entry to Kinkaku-ji?

¥500 for adults, ¥300 for schoolchildren.

What are the opening hours?

Daily from 9:00 to 17:00, all year.

Can you go inside the pavilion?

No, it's admired from outside.

How do I get there?

Bus 205 from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji-michi, about 40 minutes.

How long do you need?

30–45 minutes.

Why is it called Rokuon-ji?

That's its official name — from Shogun Yoshimitsu's posthumous name.

When is the best time to go?

At opening on a sunny, still day.

What's nearby?

The Ryoan-ji rock garden — about 20 minutes on foot.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Temple official site (shokoku-ji.jp/en/kinkakuji) — hours, prices, UNESCO, villa history, buses, parking (checked 09.11.2026)
  • English Wikipedia: Kinkaku-ji — 1397 and 1955, Kyokochi pond
  • Travel guides — talisman ticket, tips (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q270983 — coordinates
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedHours, prices, UNESCO status, the history of Yoshimitsu's villa, the pavilion's purpose, buses and parking are from the official site. The villa's construction date and the present building's date are from Wikipedia; we leave out the building's 20th-century history. The talisman ticket and bus times are from guides.

Top YesGo picks: Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto, Japan

1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500

Gion

Kyoto, Japan

1 h 30 min · free

Yasaka Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

30 min · free

Nijo Castle

Kyoto, Japan

1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300

Sanjusangen-do

Kyoto, Japan

45 min · about ¥600

Arashiyama

Kyoto, Japan

3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500

All places: Kyoto →