Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Kinkaku-ji. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Perfect Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour

• Hidden Kyoto E-Biking Tour

• Kyoto 6-Hr Private Tour With Government-Licensed Guide

• 10 Must-See Spots in Kyoto 1-Day Private Tour

• 1-Day Tour of Kyoto's Highlights From Osaka/Kyoto

Admission to Kinkaku-ji costs ¥500 for adults and senior high school-aged teens, and ¥300 for elementary and junior high school-aged kids. If you’re self-driving, note that only paid parking is available, so it may be better to take public transportation or take a tour with included transportation. It costs ¥400 to park a passenger car for 60 minutes, and ¥200 for every 30 minutes thereafter.

Yes, Kinkaku-ji is definitely worth visiting—it's one of Kyoto's top tourist attractions for good reason. The gleaming gold exterior is unlike other Japanese temples and shrines, which tend to be more understated, and the tranquil landscaped grounds provide a lovely counterbalance. Visit independently or on a guided tour of Kyoto—many half- or full-day sightseeing tours include a stop here.

Per one customer who booked the 10 Must-See Spots in Kyoto 1-Day Private Tour, "Our guide Yoshi was amazing, and he took us to TEN phenomenal sites in Kyoto! This would be impossible on our own without his knowledge of the itinerary layout, plus the means to navigate the transportation. We saw everything we desired—Golden Temple, Bamboo forest and gardens, Kimono Forest, major temples and shrines."

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.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Kinkaku-ji. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Kyoto:

• Arashiyama Park

• Chion-in

• Fushimi Inari Shrine

• Gion Corner

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Kyoto.