From Kinkakuji (golden pavilion) to Ginkakuji (silver pavilion)

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1. Overview

How to get to Ginkakuji Temple (silver pavilion) from Kinkakuji Temple (golden pavilion) ?

Usually, you can go by Kyoto City Bus  No. 204  . Currently, only on Weekends & Holidays, bus No.102 are availabie.

SUMMARY

The recommended way to Ginkakuji temple (silver pavilion) from Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) is “by Bus”. There is no trains available between them.

The map below is the overview of the bus stops, routes, time and fare.

Please take  Bus No. 204  for Ginkakuji temple (silver pavilion) from Kinkakuji temple (Golden pavilion). Only on weekends & holidays,  Bus  No. 102   (Rakuraku-Line) is also available.

Bus  No.204  is operated in both directions in a loop, and the each direction takes almost the same time. So you can ride either direction. 

Bus fare is ¥230 for any route.

The name of the bus stop these buses come is Kinkakuji-michi.

Please be careful that Bus  No. 204  departs from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop B or C, depend on the route. And,  Bus  No. 102  departs from bus stop B.

The followings are the detail.

2. By Bus for Ginkakuji Temple

2-1  By Kyoto City Bus No.204 (& No.102 on weekends & holidays)

Bus  No.204  , operated both direction in a loop, departs from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop B and C. (On weekends & holidays, bus  No.102  departs from bus stop B)

The bus stop B is located on your right side after crossing the road (called Nishioji street), when you come from Kinkakuji temple.

The bus stop C is located on your left side before crossing the Nishioji street.

The buses at bus stop C take at least 36 to 40 minutes, via subway Kitaoji station.

Some delayed buses stop running at Kitaoji station to adjust operation schdule.
But, don’t worry, you can ride next bus without extra fare.

The buses at bus stop B, take at least 38 minutes, via subway Marutamachi station. (If bus  No.102  takes at least 33 minutes.)

The bus  No.204  is operated at least every 15 minutes in both direction.
And, bus  No.102  is operated every 30 minutes during the daytime (about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) only on weekends & holidays.

Please get off at Ginkakuji-michi bus stop.  

The map below is bus  No.204  and  No.102  route, please check if necessary.

3. The Way to Ginkakuji Temple after Getting Off

Each bus arrives at different Ginkakuji-michi bus stop, but, please head for big intersection and find out the path along a stream after getting off any bus.

In 7 minutes’ walk, you come to Ginkakuji Temple.

The followings show the way to Ginkakuji temple from the bus stop.

1. After Getting off, Head for the big Intersection.

The bus stop you get off will be different depend on bus routes.

After getting off your bus, please head for the big intersection having traffic lights located beside a stream. 

2. Walk on the path along a stream.

From the intersection, please keep walking on the path along the stream.

3. Cross the Bridge, and Follow the Street.

In 4 minutes, you come to the small bridge crossing the stream. Then cross the bridge, and go up the slightly uphill street in front of you.

From that bridge, the path along the stream is called “Philosopher’s Walk” or “the Path of Philosophy”. (“Tetsugaku-no-michi” in Japanese)
You can also visit Eikando Temple or Nanzenji Temple through the walk after visiting Ginkakuji Temple (1,2 mile, 2 km, about 25 minutes’ walk).

Keep walking the uphill street.

4. Finally, the Gate of Ginkakuji Temple !

In 3 minutes from the small bridge where the Philosopher’s Walk starts, you finally come to the gate of Ginkakuji Temple (silver pavilion).

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4. Ginkakuji Temple Information 

Opening Hours :

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Mar. 1 – Nov. 30)
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Dec. 1 – Feb. 28)
∗need to enter at least 30 minutes before the closing time

Admission Fee  :

¥500 (adult) / ¥300 (6 – 15 yars old)

Best time to visit  :

at anytime you want to visit