# Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto > Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen temple in north-west Kyoto and a UNESCO site. The three-storey pavilion, covered in gold, is reflected in a pond among pine-clad islets. Entry is ¥500 and it's open daily 9:00 to 17:00. The garden route takes 30–45 minutes, and you can't go inside the pavilion. From Kyoto Station, take bus 205 to Kinkakuji-michi. Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kinkaku-ji - City: [Kyoto](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto), Japan - YesGo score: 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 45 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: ¥500; schoolchildren ¥300 - Hours: Daily 9:00–17:00, all year - Route: One-way through the garden, 30–45 minutes - Pavilion: Viewed from outside — no entry - Official name: Rokuon-ji, Rinzai school - Getting there: Buses 12, 59, 205, M1 to Kinkakuji-michi - Coordinates: 35.03950, 135.72850 - Facts checked: 09.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1994** — the year it joined UNESCO's World Heritage List (source: shokoku-ji.jp) - **Yoshimitsu** — the third Ashikaga shogun built his villa here (source: shokoku-ji.jp) - **1397** — the year Yoshimitsu began building the Kitayamadono villa (source: en.wikipedia) - **Rokuon-ji** — the official name — from Yoshimitsu's posthumous name (source: shokoku-ji.jp) - **Relics** — the pavilion is a pagoda for relics of the Buddha (source: shokoku-ji.jp) - **Kyokochi** — the 'mirror pond' that reflects the pavilion (source: en.wikipedia) - **¥500** — adult entry (source: shokoku-ji.jp) - **Talisman** — the entry ticket is a paper temple charm (source: travel 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. > **When to go** According to the official site, the temple is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 all year round. Arrive at opening — by day a dense crowd gathers at the main viewpoint across the pond. On sunny days the gold shines brighter, and on still days the pavilion is sharply reflected in the water. After snowfall in winter the view is especially lovely, but such days are rare. ## 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 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-ji | Ginkaku-ji | | --- | --- | --- | | Pavilion | Covered in gold | Dark wood, no silver | | Where | North-west Kyoto | North-east, by the Philosopher's Path | | Crowds | Very heavy | Lighter | | Entry | ¥500 | Separate 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 - [ ] Arrive by 9:00 - [ ] ¥500 in cash - [ ] A sunny day — the gold shines brighter - [ ] Ryoan-ji next - [ ] Time for the bus from Kyoto Station ## Kyoto temples: compare and choose Temples and shrines in Kyoto rated by YesGo. - [Fushimi Inari Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/fushimi-inari) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · free - [Kiyomizu-dera](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kiyomizu-dera) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500 - [Kinkaku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kinkaku-ji) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥500 - [Yasaka Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/yasaka-shrine) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free - [Philosopher's Path](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/philosophers-path) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free - [Sanjusangen-do](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/sanjusangen-do) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · about ¥600 - [Ryoan-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/ryoan-ji) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥600 - [Arashiyama](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/arashiyama) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500 ## 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-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kinkaku-ji) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥500 2. [Ryoan-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/ryoan-ji) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥600 3. [Nijo Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/nijo-castle) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300 ## Good to know Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is not Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion) on the other side of Kyoto. The temple's official name is Rokuon-ji. ## Tips - 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](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/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. ## How we checked Hours, 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. ## Sources - 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 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.