Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion Temple - Helpful Travel Guide

Kinkaku-ji "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" or Rokuon-ji "Deer Garden Temple", is a Zen Buddhist temple.

Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto is Japan's National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape in Japan.

  Kyoto Kinkaku-ji temple is also a Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto and World Heritage Site.

The golden pavilion is three stories high, surrounded by a pond & garden, and located on the Rokuon-ji temple complex.

The pure gold-leaf coating symbolizes the purification of negative thoughts and feelings towards death.

The Kinkaku-ji pavilion functions as a Sheridan, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha's Ashes).

The pavilion at Kinkakuji has three distinct styles of architecture which are shinden (Temple), samurai, and zen, on each floor.

Visitors are not allowed inside the Pavilion but can view the pavilion as they walk through the gardens.

More useful information below in this Kinkaku-Ji Temple guide for visitors to Kyoto, Japan.

 

Kinkaku-ji Address

 

1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan

 

Kinkaku-ji Admission and Hours

Kinkaku-ji Temple Tickets :

Adult: 400 Yen per Adult
Kids:  300 Yen per Child (up to Junior High School Age)

Kinkaku-ji Temple Hours :

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Daily)

 

Getting to Kinkau-Ji in Kyoto

 

From JR Kyoto Station to Kinkau-Ji Temple :

- Take Kyoto City Bus number 101 or 205

- Exit at Kinkakuji Temple Stop (Golden Temple Road)


By Subway and Bus Combo to Kinkau-Ji Temple in Kyoto :

- Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station (and take a taxi or)

- Bus numbers 101, 102, 204 or 205 to Kinkakuji.(Golden Temple Road)

 

Recommendation and Tips for visiting Kinkau-Ji Temple

 

• This is an active temple and many Japanese come to pray so please be respectful when visiting.

• This area is extremely busy and crowded. Go early and on weekdays!

• Wear good shoes as you will be walking a lot on your visit to Kinkau-Ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto!

 

Website

 

In Japanese only: Official Kinkau-Ji Temple Website
Kyoto Morning Tour: Kyoto Imperial Palace, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle - $66.00

Soak up temple and palace sights on this half-day guided city tour, great for those who want to see Kyoto’s top attractions in a short time. Travel by coach in the morning and visit UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle and the gold-covered Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) with an informative guide. Then wander through the Kyoto Imperial Palace — home to the emperor until 1868 — and see how royalty lived.

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