To reach Kinkaku-ji without a taxi, take a city bus from the centre or from Kyoto Station, then walk the last short stretch to the temple gate. Use the operator's bus map to find the right stop, pay with an IC card or a day pass, and allow more time than you think you need. A taxi is possible, but a bus is cheaper and easier to plan in the busy hours.
Kinkaku-ji is in the north-west of the city, in the area covered by the Kita: Kinkaku-ji and Kitano area guide. For the rest of the city, read the Kyoto city guide.
Why buses, not trains
The north-west of Kyoto has few train lines near the temple. Most visitors use the bus network, which reaches the area from the centre and from Kyoto Station. The train and the bus meet at the main stations, so you can change at the station and continue on a bus.
Do not plan the trip around a single train. Use the bus map, and choose the route that fits your starting point.
Check first: Check the bus route, the stop name and the timetable on the operator's map or website before you leave your hotel. Routes can change for roadworks and special events, and some buses run less often at weekends or in the evening.
Plan the bus
Start the trip with a map. Find the stop closest to your starting point, and the stop nearest the temple. Read the route number and the destination on the front of the bus, and check that the bus goes to the stop you need.
- Look at the bus map at the station or the stop before you board.
- Use a bus map app or the operator's site to check the stops in order.
- Count the stops on the map so you know when to get off.
- Ask a station staff member if you are not sure.
The buses can be full in the morning and in the afternoon, when visitors travel to the temples. Try to travel outside the busiest hours. If you must travel at a busy time, stand near the front door so you can get off without a rush.
Board and pay
Many Kyoto city buses have you get on at the back door and pay when you get off at the front. Check the sign inside the bus, because the rule can differ between routes. Take a ticket from the machine at the door if you need one, and keep it until you leave the bus.
An IC card is the simplest way to pay. Tap the card on the reader when you board or get off, as the sign says. A day pass can also help if you plan many bus rides in one day. Keep some small coins in your wallet in case the card reader does not work.
Walking from the bus stop
The walk from the bus stop to the temple gate is short. Follow the signs and the crowd, and the path is easy to find. The path is mostly level, but some parts can be busy with visitors and tour groups.
If you want to walk from a station or from the centre instead of taking a bus, plan the route on a map first. The walk can be long, and some streets have no pavement. Walk on the side that the map shows, and keep to the main roads after dark.
Check first: Check the walking route and the time on a map app before you set out. The distance from the centre is longer than it looks, and a walk can take much longer than a short bus ride.
Taxis and rides
A taxi goes to the temple gate and is useful with luggage or in bad weather. Taxis can wait in traffic at busy times, so a bus is often quicker in the morning. If you use a taxi, ask the driver to stop near the gate, and keep the receipt.
With children or a buggy
Buses in Kyoto have space for buggies, but the space is small in busy hours. Fold the buggy before you board if the driver asks you to, and use a carrier for a young child in a crowded bus. Check the temple site for access and any rules for buggies inside the grounds.
Who this suits
This plan suits solo travellers and families who like to plan the day step by step. It works well for a half day at the temple, followed by a walk or a bus back to the centre. For couples, the trip is simple too, but the buses are busy, so plan the return before the crowd arrives.
If you want to see more of north-west Kyoto after the temple, use the planner to add the nearby temples to your route.
What to do next
Use the planner to build your day, check the bus map before you leave, and read the city guide for other places you want to visit.
