Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)金閣寺
A pavilion covered in gold leaf, mirrored in its pond. Especially beautiful on a sunny morning.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Nature
- about 45 min
- Paid entry
- Wheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 50 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Kinkakuji-michi; or subway to Kitaoji and change to a bus
What you can do here
See the Golden Pavilion across the pond
The pavilion, its upper two storeys covered in gold leaf, is mirrored in Kyoko-chi pond. A phoenix stands on the roof.
Walk the garden
The garden is a nationally designated Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The route passes the Ginga-sen spring and Ryumon waterfall.
Pray at Fudo-do
The hall enshrines a stone Fudo Myo-o said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi. It is a hidden image and not normally shown.
Goshuin (temple seal)
There is a goshuin office in the grounds.
Popular and not to be missed
Kyoto guide
Japan's capital for over a thousand years, full of temples, shrines, gardens and old streets. The sights are spread widely, so combine trains and the subway with buses to get around.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A shrine where red torii gates climb all the way up the hill. The full loop takes about 2 hours, and crowds thin out as you climb.
Many overseas visitors
3rd among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (50.4%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
- Activities
about 2 hrFree
Train · About 15 min from Kyoto ・ JR Nara Line to Inari; the shrine is right outside the station ・ 9.0km from here
- 2
Kiyomizu-dera
A wooden stage built out over a hillside, with a view across Kyoto. The sloping lanes up to it are lined with souvenir shops.
Many overseas visitors
1st among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (67.8%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 35 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Gojozaka, then about 10 minutes uphill on foot ・ 7.1km from here
- 3
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A pavilion covered in gold leaf, mirrored in its pond. Especially beautiful on a sunny morning.
Many overseas visitors
5th among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (46.1%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Nature
about 45 minPaid entryWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 50 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Kinkakuji-michi; or subway to Kitaoji and change to a bus ・ 100m from here
- 4
Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Grove)
A long bridge over the river, a path through bamboo and the garden of Tenryu-ji. Very crowded in cherry and maple seasons; go early.
- Nature
- Views
- Temples, shrines & churches
about 2 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 30 min from Kyoto ・ JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama, then about 10 minutes on foot ・ 5.6km from here
- 5
Gion and Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji street with its teahouses, and a shrine lit by lanterns at night. Photography is banned on some private lanes.
Many overseas visitors
The Gion area was 4th among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (50.0%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- History & buildings
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Night views
about 1.5 hrFree
Bus · About 25 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Gion; also walkable from Gion-Shijo on the Keihan Line ・ 6.0km from here
- 6
Nijo Castle
The Tokugawa shoguns' castle in Kyoto. Walk through the palace to see gold-ground screen paintings and floors that chirp underfoot.
Many overseas visitors
2nd among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (62.1%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 1.5 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Subway · About 20 min from Kyoto ・ Karasuma Line to Karasuma-Oike, then Tozai Line to Nijojo-mae ・ 3.3km from here
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Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
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