1. Overview
How to get to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) from Kiyomizu Temple ?
Visitors Question
You can go by Bus. For example…
〈1〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.206 +Walk,
〈2〉 by Kyoto City Bus No.206 + Change Buses at Kitaoji Bus Terminal
Locals Answer
The recommended way to Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) from Kiyomizu Temple is “by Bus”.
There is no trains or direct bus service available between them.
The map below is the overview of the bus routes, stops, time and fare.
From Kiyomizu Temple, there are 2 nearest bus stops, Gojozaka and Kiyomizu-michi.
Fromt these bus stops to Kinkakuji Temple, there is no direct bus service available.
But, if you don’t mind walking, Kyoto City Bus No.206 directly take you to one stop before Kinkakuji Temple, Senbon-Kitaoji bus stop, located in 10 minutes’ walk from the temple.
If you don’t mind changing buses, or you are subway & bus one-day pass holder, actually many bus routes are available. Amang them, I recomend you take bus No.206 or No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal first, and transfer at Kitaoji Bus Terminal to take other buses (No. 204 , 205 , 102 ) for Kinkakuji Temple. The reason is that many bus services are availavle between these sections, Kiyomizu Temple to Kitaoji Bus Terminal, and the Terminal to Kinkakuji Temple.
Bus No. 206 and No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal departs from Gojozaka bus stop C, or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B.
The way to these bus stops from Kiyomizu Temple is refer to the map above.
On the way from the gate of Kiyomizu Temple, the downhill street divides in two.
At the place, Gojozaka bus stop is toward the left, and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop is toward the right.
It takes about 10 minutes’ walk to both of the bus stops.
Bus fare is ¥230 per ride.
(Unfortunately, from April 2023, discounts for bus transfers using IC Cards have been discontinued.)
If you change buses at Kitaoji Bus Terminal, it takes just 3 minutes’ walk from the arrival Kinkakuji-michi bus stop to Kinkakuji Temple, compared with 10 minutes’ walk from Senbon-kitaoji bus stop where you arrive by No.206 without transfer.
Please note that the buses are likeiy to take much more time on peak season becouse of heavy traffic jam.
The followings are the details.