Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

You can’t enter the pavilion itself, but crowds come to admire its stunning architecture, enjoy views of the temple across the mirror pond, and stroll around the temple gardens.

Tours of Kyoto’s shrines and temples stop at the Golden Pavilion. A temple tour generally includes a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kyoto Cultural Forest. Alternatively, take the scenic route on a bike tour, visit with a professional photographer guide to maximize your chances of capturing postcard-worthy shots, or combine it with Kyoto attractions, such as Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. It’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Osaka or Nara, or as part of a multi-day Japan itinerary from Tokyo.

• There is an admission fee to enter the temple grounds.

• Plan between 30 minutes and an hour to admire the temple, take photos, and explore the gardens.

• A traditional Japanese teahouse is in the temple grounds, and souvenir shops, food vendors, and restaurants are just outside the gates.

• The temple grounds and walkways are wheelchair accessible.

The Golden Pavilion, at the foot of Kinugasa Hill in northwest Kyoto, is a short taxi ride from downtown Kyoto. Bus 100 and 205 run there from Tokyo Station, and it’s a brief bus or taxi ride from the closest subway, Kitaoji Station (Karasuma Line).

The Golden Pavilion can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. Get there before tour buses show up or before closing for the best chance of a crowd-free view. For the best photos, avoid the midday sun, visit in autumn for a colorful and interesting backdrop, or be there on one of the year’s coldest days to snap a shot of the snow-covered temple.

The Golden Pavilion began as shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s 14th-century villa and transformed into a Zen Buddhist temple after his death. Numerous wars over the years have burned down and destroyed it, but the current temple, rebuilt in 1955, retains unique architectural details. Each floor showcases a different style: the Shinden-style first floor, the Bukke-style second floor, and the Chinese Zen hall-inspired top two floors.

Kinkaku-ji is a Zen temple that dates back to 1398. It was built as a private villa for retired Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. In 1950, it was destroyed by a fire, but then was painstakingly restored in 1955. Now, it’s one of Kyoto’s most recognizable UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The easiest way to get to Kinkaku-ji Temple from Kyoto Station is to take the bus from the main bus terminal, which is located on the northern side of Kyoto Station. If you take bus #205, it usually takes around 40 minutes to get to the temple.

To avoid crowds at Kinkaku-ji, it's best to visit early in the morning, shortly after it opens when crowd numbers tend to be smaller. Weekdays also tend to be less crowded than weekends and holidays. Alternatively, visit during the late afternoon, an hour before closing, to avoid the peak afternoon crowds.

No, visitors can’t go inside the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji; however, it’s possible to see the pavilion’s statues from afar, as its sliding doors are usually left open. This popular landmark attracts visitors to admire its exteriors as it’s incredibly photogenic from afar, especially if looking from across the pond.

No, photography isn’t allowed inside Kinkaku-ji as you can’t go inside the temple building itself; however, you can take photos of the temple from afar. There may be restrictions for the use of tripods or flash photography, so it’s always advisable to respect signs and instructions provided by the staff.

Yes, there are guided tours available to see Kinkaku-ji. Some of these focus on the temple grounds and gardens, while others combine Kinkaku-ji with other Kyoto temples and shrines, such as Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizudera Temple. For a more personalized experience, some travelers choose to customize their itinerary on a private tour.