Trip Planner:   Asia  /  Japan  /  Kinki  /  Kyoto Prefecture  /  Kyoto  /  Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto

4.4

#2 of 45,488 in Things to do in Japan

Religious Site Tourist Spot Must See

• ©

With its top two stories completely coated in pure gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji gleams in the sunlight and reflects off the pond at its edge. This Zen Buddhist temple started as a villa for a powerful statesman in the 14th century, before its conversion to a temple by the family of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. After a high-profile arson in 1950, the temple was rebuilt in its current form with ostentatious gold leaf coating to echo the extravagance of aristocratic culture in Yoshimitsu’s time. Look out for the different historical architectural styles represented by each floor of the temple. Plan to visit Kinkaku-ji and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Kyoto attractions using our Kyoto online holiday planner .

more less

Create an itinerary including Kinkaku-ji

Start planning

Save Saved

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Kinkaku-ji Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

16,182 reviews

Google

4.5

facebook

4.7

5,003 likes

• By Demothesis

  Visited last week as part of our Kyoto adventure. Whilst this temple is one of many in Kyoto, we found this particular one to be quite stunning. The magnificent and opulence of the golden pagoda is qu...  more »

• By Dream432236

  中国人等アジアの国々の方々中心に、ものすごく混んでいて、歩くのも写真撮るのも大変でした。いつ訪れても美しいです。  more »

  It was very crowded, especially in Asian countries, such as Chinese people, and it was hard to walk and take pictures. It is beautiful whenever I visit.
  View original

View more on TripAdvisor »

Google

• By Ian Macdonald

  Really amazing to see this iconic gold temple in January with a very rare snowfall for Kyoto. The snowflakes and gold looked very cool. The only reason this doesn't get a 5 star is just that there are so many tourists and they run you through like cattle. It was very cold so we didn't want to stay long but on a warm summer day it would be nice to spend more time here.

  more less
• By Christopher Chang

  This park is a pretty good place to visit. The temple itself and the surrounding water feature present an excellent view when conditions are right. The water produced a mirror like reflection on everything and can be a sight. However the garden sections are the star with gorgeous arrangements and plants. The entree fee is low at 400yen and not super busy. There are lots of random souvenir opportunities of you do so choose to partake.

  more less

View more on Google »

Places to stay near Kinkaku-ji

Plan your trip to Kyoto

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels
  and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.