Ginkakuji Tickets & Tours
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Kyoto Hop-On Hop-off sightseeing bus by Skyhop Bus (1day / 2days ticket)
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(696) • 30K+ booked
US$ 27.89
Spring deal
Kyoto Higashiyama Half-Day E-Bike Tour with UNESCO Sites
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(9) • 50+ booked
US$ 87.40
Bamboo Artistry & Zen Serenity Tranquility with Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
US$ 180.59
Kyoto Highlights Private Day Trip (Departure from Osaka/Kyoto)
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Private tour
English guided
(9) • 50+ booked
US$ 582.59
US$ 308.39
Spring deal
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Kyoto Temples
Private tour
English guided
Private group
US$ 378.69
Spring deal
Half-Day Private Guided Tour to the Silver Pavilion in Kyoto
Private tour
English guided
Private group
US$ 279.65
Spring deal
Kyoto Ginkaku-ji Half-Day Historical Walking Tour
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English guided
Free cancellation
(2)
US$ 76.49
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Kyoto: Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option
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English guided
Morning departure
(3.2K) • 10K+ booked
US$ 5.70
Spring deal
Kyoto: Ring Making Workshop : Vintage Japanese Coin Ring
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English guided
Morning departure
(1.6K) • 7K+ booked
US$ 8.59
Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Orizuruya, Gion
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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(5) • New Activity
US$ 53.65
Where to stay in Ginkakuji
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US$ 78.97
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US$ 181.22
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US$ 58.25
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US$ 54.68
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US$ 58.25
Transport to & from Ginkakuji
US$ 8.95
Kyoto City Subway and Bus 1 Day Ticket
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(138) • 20K+ booked
US$ 8.49
US$ 160.75
Eizan Electric Railway 1-Day Pass “Ee Kippu” & Kurama Onsen Set Ticket
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(5) • 100+ booked
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US$ 17.79
US$ 4.89
Kyoto Car Rental with Driver to Nara/Osaka/Kobe/Uji/Lake Biwa/Wakayama - English/Chinese Speaking Driver
Free cancellation
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(5) • New Activity
US$ 268.19
Retail: US$ 296.35
Hieizan Free Pass (Unlimited 1-Day Rides on 6 Types of Transport)
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New Activity
US$ 24.39
Kyoto Private City Transfers to Kyoto Station/Kyoto City(One way)
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(5) • 100+ booked
US$ 67.05
Retail: US$ 68.39
Kyoto - Tokyo Night Bus by VIP Liner
(131) • 3K+ booked
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US$ 68.29
Kyoto Departure Private Car Charter | Uji, Nara & Surrounding Areas
Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
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(95) • 1K+ booked
US$ 268.19
From
US$ 22.89
US$ 24.09
Shinagawa to Kyoto - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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US$ 94.05
Restaurants near Ginkakuji
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Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto
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Free cancellation
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(261) • 9K+ booked
US$ 27.79
US$ 82.75
Higashiyama Traditional Japanese tofu cuisine Souhonke Yudofu Okutan Kiyomizu Kyoto
Free cancellation
(8) • 300+ booked
US$ 40.55
US$ 52.95
Gion Maruyama (祇园丸山) and Kenninji Gion Maruyama - Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Kyoto Gion
Free cancellation
(9) • 700+ booked
US$ 73.15
Nikuyanodaidokoro - Wagyu Beef Roasted Meati in Kyoto,Sanjo Kawaramachi
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(18) • 600+ booked
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US$ 24.39
US$ 67.19
US$ 78.75
Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant
Set menu
24-hour confirmation
(15) • 1K+ booked
US$ 158.85
Yamabana Heihachidiya in Kyoto - Centuries old Japanese Traditional Kaiseki
Free cancellation
(21) • 900+ booked
US$ 39.00
US$ 76.65
Michelin sushi series restaurant - Kaiten sushi ginza onodera KYOTO Kaiten sushi ginza onodera KYOTO conveyor belt sushi - Kyoto
Set menu
48-hour confirmation
(13) • 500+ booked
US$ 27.89
More to explore
The ultimate entertainment experience lighting up Kyoto's night. DRUM TAO Live Wadaiko Drum Show
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(28) • 500+ booked
US$ 69.65
From
US$ 19.09
Free Voucher
Bic Camera Tourist Privilege Discount Coupon in Kyoto
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Instant confirmation
(111) • 6K+ booked
Free Voucher
Same-Day Luggage Delivery Service | Osaka/Kyoto <-> Hiroshima/Hakata
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(9) • 100+ booked
US$ 28.20
US$ 66.19
Ginkakuji Reviews
Klook User
2026-04-12 13:22:41
We had A as our tour guide and he was absolutely amazing he was so informative when explaining everything was very funny and made the tour great all around
Klook User
2026-06-21 13:48:58
Great way to explore Kyoto. Our guide and driver was super efficient- he came on time and ensured the trip was customised to our requirement
Klook User
2026-06-21 01:07:25
Excellent experience to bike around local temples and world heritage spots around the Gion area. Miki our guide, adopted our itinerary based on our interest and limited time. It was nice to see some of sites before the 9 am rush of tourist. This e-bike is perfect for those who comfortable riding bikes in city traffic and some uphill climbs. We had a beautiful experience visiting the sites in the this part of Kyoto.
Alvaro *******
2026-09-22 11:14:04
It is incredible. Not only do they explain what sumo is, but they make you feel and experience it. The staff is very attentive and fluent in multiple languages, and the wrestlers are very nice and fun. I had a great time and had the opportunity to observe and try to move a professional sumo wrestler.
Christine ****
2026-09-28 10:53:29
Really enjoyed this tour. We lucked out with multi lingual Charles who was excellent throughout - lots of knowledge and insight, helpful, and good fun. From the 07:45 pick up to drop off the trip was very well run and our driver managed to beat the traffic too giving us more time to explore beautiful Ine Bay. The boat ride was eventful with the seagulls, almost Hitchcockian! The rain came on at Amanohashidate however the views were still good and would definitely recommend the chair lift over the monorail. good value, fun trip, and so good to get out of the noise of Dotonbori for the day.
Klook User
2026-09-15 01:56:13
My family and I rented kimonos and paid extra for pictures taken by a photographer that they provided. The kimonos were beautiful and the pictures came out really nice. 100% will recommend and I will suggest to pay extra for pictures because the memories are what matters the most and to have something beautiful to remember is worth every. Also, the staff was very helpful in picking the kimonos, helping us put it on and picking the perfect hairstyle that went well with the kimono each of us picked.
Klook User
2026-09-26 23:55:24
Our guide Apple was so lovely and explained everything so well. The schedule was tight and the drive nearly 2 hours but the views were breathtaking. The weather was not our friend but we enjoyed the day.
Klook User
2026-09-11 13:44:11
One of the BEST experiences of our Japan trip! From arrival, everyone was kind, patient and welcoming. We were three generations: my mom, me and my 4-year-old daughter, and they found matching kimonos for ALL of us! My mom and I are plus-size, and we had beautiful options without needing the ¥5,000 celebratory upgrade. They even had my daughter’s size and gave her a sweet little add-on.
We also booked the 60-minute photography session directly through the kimono shop, and DO IT! 📸 Our photographer was amazing. He posed and directed us, chose beautiful locations, and captured individual, mother-daughter and three-generation photos. It was HOT, we needed restroom breaks, and we had a 4-year-old, but he was incredibly patient and never made us feel rushed. Just LOOK at these photos! We left with more than vacation pictures; we have family keepsakes we’ll treasure forever. 👘💕
Jane ***
2026-09-09 00:58:02
Our guide Ms Shion was amazing! She is very enthusiastic and engaging. The walk covers quite a lot at a good pace but we didn’t spot any maikos or geishas which was my main objective. I wonder if the route could be reversed so there’s a higher chance of spotting the talented artistes at the the Queen of Geisha district?
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What to know about Ginkakuji
Ginkakuji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a beautiful Zen temple located in the eastern mountains of Kyoto. Originally, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built it as a retirement villa, but later it became a Buddhist temple after Yoshimasa's death. When you visit Ginkakuji, you can check out its amazing Japanese garden. It has an interesting dry sand garden with a massive sand cone that looks like Mount Fuji. There's also a moss-covered garden with a path that lets you enjoy peaceful views and carefully designed landscapes. But that's not all! Don't forget to climb up to the moon-viewing platform. From there, you'll get breathtaking views of the temple grounds and the surrounding mountains. As a must-see temple, Ginkakuji gives you a fascinating look at Kyoto's Zen traditions. Plus, it's close to the Philosopher’s Path, making it easy to continue exploring Kyoto’s beautiful temple buildings and gardens.
Ginkakuji, Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8402, Japan
What to know before visiting Ginkakuji
Things to do at Ginkaku-ji Temple
Explore the Main Temple Building
Explore the Main Temple Building at Ginkakuji, also called the Silver Pavilion. Even though it was never covered in silver like planned, its beauty comes from its simple and elegant design. As you walk through, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time to when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa lived, who built the temple as a place to retire.
Walk around the Temple Grounds and Gardens
The temple grounds at Ginkakuji are famous for their amazing Japanese gardens. Follow the circular route and make sure to stop by the big sand cone and dry sand garden, which stands for Mount Fuji and the sea. This peaceful place shows off Zen Buddhism and the Higashiyama culture.
Experience a Tea Ceremony
Join a traditional tea ceremony at Ginkakuji to get a true taste of Zen Buddhist customs. This activity lets you enjoy matcha tea in a quiet setting surrounded by beautiful gardens. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese traditions.
Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement
Ginkakuji is a fantastic place to learn about flower arranging, which is an important part of the Higashiyama culture. The temple sometimes offers classes and shows how to do this delicate art.
Go to the Philosopher's Path
After you're done at Ginkakuji, take a relaxing walk along the Philosopher's Path. This lovely path, lined with cherry blossoms, is perfect for soaking up Kyoto's natural beauty. You can also stop by the cute cafes and shops along the way for a nice afternoon break.