Map
Where is everything at Kinkakuji?
The path through the grounds runs one way: in past the ticket counter, along the pond to the Golden Pavilion, up behind it to Anmintaku and the Sekkatei tea house, and out past Fudo-do. The 20 spots are numbered in that order, as in the temple's own guide.
Tap a place to see it on the map and get walking directions.
29 places
The first gate on the approach from Kuramaguchi-dori. The ticket counter is a short walk further in.
The bell is said to date from the Kamakura period and to have come from the Saionji family, who had a villa here before Kinkakuji.
A building in the Zen style, thought to date from 1492–1504.
A giant evergreen oak, rare around Kyoto. A Kyoto City natural monument since 1983.
A gate in the Chinese style (kara-mon).
A memorial to the Heian-period monk Jozo (891–964). Visiting it is said to help wishes come true.
Kyoko-chi, the Mirror Pond (about 6,600 m²), with Ashihara Island and other islands and named rocks. The pavilion stands on its edge.
Three floors in three styles; the upper two are covered in gold leaf on lacquer, with a phoenix on the roof. Regilded in 1987.
The abbot's hall. The Rikushu Pine grows on its north side.
A pine trained into the shape of a boat, said to have been planted by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
A small shrine north of the pavilion to Kasuga Myojin, the temple's guardian deity.
Yoshimitsu is said to have drawn water for tea from this spring, which still flows.
Water that Yoshimitsu is said to have used to wash his hands.
A small stone bridge with low bamboo fences on both sides, the model for the 'Kinkakuji-gaki' style of fence.
A 2.3 m waterfall with the 'carp stone' at its foot, after the legend of a carp that climbs a waterfall and becomes a dragon.
A small pond in the woods, up a few steps. It never dried up in droughts and was used to pray for rain.
A five-ringed stone pagoda on the islet in Anmintaku.
An Edo-period tea house up the hill path, named for the view of the pavilion in the evening sun. Restored in 1997.
Temple stamps (goshuin) and amulets, near the end of the route. Card payment covers admission only, not goshuin or amulets.
Houses a stone Fudo Myo-o said to be by Kobo Daishi, a hidden image shown on 3 February (Setsubun) and 16 August. The exit is just beyond.
Buses 204, 205, 102, M1 and 25 to Kitaoji Bus Terminal, for the subway back to Kyoto Station. Bus 205 from Kyoto Station also stops here. Routes 12 and 59 stop here too.
Where buses 204 and 205 from Kitaoji arrive. Bus 205 to Kyoto Station (the slow direct route), 204 to Emmachi, 102 to Ginkakuji (weekends), M1 and 25 leave from here.
Routes 12 and 59 toward Ritsumeikan University and Ryoanji.
On Kuramaguchi-dori by the approach to the temple.
One of the temple's four car parks (250 cars in all, 8:40–17:10, ¥400 for the first hour by car).
Inside the grounds, on the route after Sekkatei. Not wheelchair accessible according to OpenStreetMap.
Near the exit side of the grounds, with an accessible toilet.
Before the Main Gate, with an accessible toilet.
On Kuramaguchi-dori, by the taxi stand.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, map images © CARTO. Toilets: only those mapped on OpenStreetMap.
Can I use a wheelchair or stroller?
According to the temple, the path is wheelchair accessible as far as the Golden Pavilion. After the pavilion there are steps, so wheelchair and stroller users, and anyone who finds steps hard, turn back to the entrance to leave. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the temple without booking, if one is free.
The temple has no lockers or luggage storage, so leave big bags at the station.
The temple's own maps
Kinkakuji publishes a guide to the 20 spots and a map of the grounds with the car parks.
Official guide to the groundsOfficial map of the grounds and car parks (PDF)Official FAQ (wheelchairs, luggage)Open 09:00–17:00. Places last checked: .
Last updated: