From Kyoto Station to Ginkakuji Temple (silver pavilion)

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1. Overview

You can go to Ginkakuji Temple by Subway & Bus or by Only Bus including Limited Express from Kyoto station.

The chart below is the overview of the location, transportation, time and fare.

SUMMARY

Location & Distance

Ginkakuji temple is located in the northeast of Kyoto city.

The distance from Kyoto Station is 4.7 mile.

Transportation & Time

It takes about…

 Subuway & Bus 30 – 35 min
 Only by Bus  : at least 37 to 44 min
 Limited Express Bus  : 24 min 

 Taxi  : 25- 30 min
 Bicycle  : 45 min

You need more time and taxi fare on peak season because of heavy traffic jam.

 Near Bus Stops & Time to the Temple

(1)  walk 4 min from Ginkakuji-mae bus stop

(2)  walk 7 min from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop

 Near Stations & Time to the Temple   actually not near…

(1)  walk 30 min ( 1.5 mile /2.4 km) from Demachiyanagi station (Keihan / Eizan Railway)

(2)  walk 35 min (1.75 mile / 2.8 km) from Keage station (Subway Tozai line)

Please note that…

because Ginkakuji temple close at 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Dec. to Feb.),
you need to enter at least 30 minutes before closing time.

2. By Subway & Bus

If you take subway & bus for Ginkakuji temple, it will save time to move.
Even on peak season, it takes about 35 minutes to get to the bus stop near the temple.

The fare is ¥490 in total.

Subway & Bus One-Day Pass (¥1100) is recommended, if you plan to take subway or bus three times or more on the same day after Ginkakuji temple.

2-1 Best Routes

How to go to the Ginkakuji temple by Subway & Bus ?

The following 2 ways are the best.

From Kyoto station, take Subway Karasuma line to Imadegawa station or Marutamachi station.

Then, change to Kyoto City Bus for Ginkakuji temple.

2-2 Via Imadegawa Station

At Imadegawa station, change to Kyoto City Bus No. 203 . On weekends & holidays, you can also take bus  No.102 , one of the Rakuraku-Line bus services.

When you arrive at Imadegawa station, please find out “Exit 3”  .

Get out of the Exit 3, walk to the left, then you can see Karasuma-Imadegawa bus stop “A”.

Please check, Transfer Map above.

2-3 Via Marutamachi Station

At Marutamachi station, change to Kyoto City Bus No. 204 .

When you arrive at Marutamachi station, please find out “Exit 1”.

Get out of the Exit 1, then you can see Karasuma-Marutamachi bus stop “A” just in front of you.

Please check, Transfer Map above.

2-4 All Route Map for Ginkakuji by Subway & Bus

In about 15 minutes, bus No. 102 , No. 203  or  204  arrive at Ginkakuji-michi bus stop. For directions from the bus stop to Ginkakuji temple, please refer to the next section.

The map below is all routes from Kyoto station to Ginkakuji temple by using subway & bus.

3. Only By Bus

From Kyoto station to Ginkakuji temple, Kyoto City Bus No.7 and 5 are available. (Bus No.7 used to be operated by No.17)
(Bus No.5 by way of Gojo street is also OK)
It takes about over 40 minutes by any bus route.

If weekends or holidays, Limited Express Bus No.100 or normal Bus No.105, are available, and recommended! These buses are called  “Rakuraku-Line Bus“, meaning special express bus for visitors to go sightseeing in Kyoto easily.
Although bus No.105 takes 44 minutes, the Limited Express Bus No.100 takes just 24 minutes!

Please note that…

it takes much more time on peak season because of heavy traffic jam.

∗ Peak season : cherry blossam (the end of March to the beginning of April), autumn leaves (November) and consecutive holidays in Japan (the end of April to the beginning of May)

3-1 Bus Stops Information at Kyoto Station

There ara many bus stops in Kyoto Station.

When you ride, which bus stop in Kyoto Station can you ride those buses for Ginkakuji temple ?

Please find out the bus stop displayed…

 A2   for Bus No.7

 A1    for Bus No. 5 and No.105 

 D1   for Limited Express Bus No.100

3-2 Bus Stops Information near Ginkakuji Temple

There ara 2 different bus stops near Ginkakuji temple.

One is Ginkakuji-mae, the other is Ginkakuji-michi.

Ginkakuji-mae bus stop is the nearest, where  Limited Express bus No.100  and bus  No.105 , named “Rakuraku-Line“, arrive. Please note that these buses are operated only on weekends & holidays.
All the other Bus No. 5 7 102 ,  203 204  stop at Ginkakuji-michi, the second nearest bus stop. But, it is just 7 minutes walk to the temple, so not so far.

On the way to Ginkakuji temple after getting off the bus, there is the Philosopher’s Walk, famous for its rows of cherry trees.

3-3 Bus Route Maps

If you want to know the route or ride time of the Bus No.7, No.5, No.105 and Limited Express Bus No.100, please check the maps below.

4. 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