From Arashiyama area to Kinkakuji Temple (golden pavilion) 

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1. Overview

How to get to Kinkakuji Temple from Arashiyama area ?

Visitors Question

You can go by Keifuku Railway (Randen) + Kyoto City Bus (or Walk) or by JR line + Kyoto City Bus.

Locals Answer

The recommended way to Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) from Arashiyama area is “by Keifuku Railway + Bus (or Walk)” or “by JR line + Bus”.
There is no direct bus service available between them.

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

From Arashiyama to Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion), firstly please head for Keifuku Railway (Randen) or JR line station.

The locations of those two stations are separated (10 minutes’ walk), and station names are also a little bit different (Arashiyama : Keifuku Railway, Randen,  Saga-Arashiyama : JR Sagano line).
So, use nearer station from your last locaiton in Arashiyama.

Check the location map below, showing time to each station from main attractions in Arashiyama.

If you don’t know which one to take, please use Keifuku Railway (randen).

The reason is that the arrival station of the Randen is more convenient for Kinkakuji temple.
Bus services are a lot, or you can walk to Kinkakuji temple (20 minutes,  0.9 mile / 1.5 km) even if those buses are crowded or delay.

By Kiefuku Railway (Randen), it takes 20 minutes ride and ¥250.
Trains are operated almost every 10 minutes.
From the arrival station (Kitano-Hakubaicho) to Kinkakuji, it takes at least 5 minutes by bus (¥230) plus 2 minutes walk.

By JR line, it takes 7 minutes ride and ¥190.
Trains are
 operated almost every 15 minutes.
From the arrival station (Enmachi) to Kinkakuji, it takes at least 9 minutes by bus (
¥230) plus 2 minutes walk.

The followings are the detail.

2. By Keifuku Railway (Randen) + Bus for Kinkakuji Temple

2-1 By Keifuku Railway (Randen) : From Arashiyama to Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta.

Keifuku Railway (Randen) Arashiyama station is located between Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Forest.

It takes 2 minutes from the Togetsukyo Bridge, 5 minutes from the Bamboo Forest.

By Keifuku Railway, the nearest station for Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) is Kitano-Hakubaicho.

All trains depart from Arashiyama station don’t go to the nearest station, Kitano-Hakubaicho directly.
You need to change trains on the way, at Katabirano-tsuji Station.

The followings are the details.

1. Take any trains at Arashiyama Station.

For Kinkakuji temple, take any trains departing from Arashiyama station.

All trains are bound for Shijo-Omiya, near downtown area.

2. Change Trains at Katabirano-tsuji Station.

Please transfer at Katabirano-tsuji station, the fifth station from Arashiyama.

Trains from Arashiyama arrive at track No.2.
And, trains for Kinkakuji wait for you at track No.3 or 4.
(The Picture : Track No.2 and 4)

Transfer time is short, but don’t worry.

It’s easy to transfer because track No.2, 3 and 4 is the same platform.
And, the trains depart after all passengers ride on completely.

(The Picture : Track No.3 and 4)

3. Arrive at Kitano-Hakubaicho Station in 12 minutes

From Katabirano-tsuji station, the trains arrive at Kitano-hakubaicho station in 12 minutes.

Kitano-hakubaicho station is the last stop, so it’s easy when you get off.

2-2  By Bus : From Kitano-Hakubaicho Sta. to Kinkakuji

From Kitano-Hakubaicho station to Kinkakuji temple, you can take Kyoto City Bus No.  204  and  205 .

Many bus services are available in total.
The name of the bus stop you ride is also Kitano-Hakubaicho.

All buses depart from bus stop F.

In at least 5 minutes, the buses arrive at the nearst bus stop, Kinkakuji-michi.

The followings are the details including how to transfer.

1. After Getting out of the Randen Station, Walk to the left direction.

After getting out of the Kitano-Hakubaicho station, walk to the left direction at the big intersection in front of you, and head for Kitano-Hakubaicho bus stop F.

2. Soon, you come to Kitano-Hakubaicho Bus Stop “F”

In just a minute, you come to Kitano-hakubaicho bus stop F.

Please ride any early bus. (No.204 or 205)

(the picture : No.204 at Kitano Hakubaicho bus stop F)

In about 5 minutes’ ride, the buses arrive at Kinkakuji-michi bus stop, Please get off.

3. By JR train + Bus for Kinkakuji Temple

3-1 By JR (Sagano line) : From Arashiyama to Enmachi Sta.

JR (Sagano line) Saga-Arashiyama station is located about 10 minutes’ walk to the east from Bamboo Forest.

By JR line, the nearest station for Kinkakuji temple (golden pavilion) is Enmachi.

All trains depart from Saga-Arashiyama station go and stop the nearest station, Enmachi.

The followings are the details.

1. Take any Trains bound for Kyoto Station

Local and rapid type of trains are available at Saga-Arashiyama station.

The rapid train also stop the Enmachi station, so please take any type of trains bound for Kyoto Station.

Normaly, the trains depart at track No.1 or 2.
Only trains that start from Saga-Arashiyama station depart at track No.4.

So, check the track by an electric noticeboard before riding.

2. Get Off at Enmachi Station, the 3rd Station from Saga-Arashiyama

In 7 minutes by local trains, trains arrive at Enmachi station, the third station from Saga-Arashiyama station.

Please be careful that if you ride rapid train, next stop is Enmachi station, taking just 3 minutes.

3-2  By Bus : From Enmachi Sta. to Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop

From Enmachi station to Kinkakuji temple, you can take Kyoto City Bus No.  204  and  205 .

No.204 and No.205 run the same route for Kinkakuji temple from Enmachi station.

The name of the bus stop you ride isNishinokyo-Enmahci“, a little bit different from just “Enmachi” station.

In 9 minutes, the buses arrive at the nearst bus stop, Kinkakuji-michi.

The followings are the details including how to transfer.

1. At Enmachi Station, Turn Left after Getting out of the Ticket Gate.

When you get out of the tickete gate at Enmachi station, please turn left and walk to the main street. (named Marutamachi Street)

2. At the main Street, Walk to the Right.

When you come to the main street (Marutamachi Street), walk to the right direction.

3. Keep Walking untill a big Intersection, and Turn Left.

Please keep walking along the Marutamachi Street untill a big intersection, and turn left.

4. After Turning left, Cross the Street.

Cross the Marutamachi Street at the intersection, and follow the sidewalk of the road.

5. Soon, You Come to Nishinokyo-Enmachi Bus Stop “E” for Kinkakuji.

After crossing the street, soon, you come to the Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop “E” for Kinkakuji temple.
please ride any early buses. (either No. 204 or No. 205)

About in 9 minutes, buses arrive at Kinkakuji-michi bus stop, the sixth bus stops from Nishinokyo-Enmachi bus stop.

4. The Way to Kinkakuji Temple after Getting Off the Bus

The location of the Kinkakuji-michi bus stop is the same whichever bus you take from Kitano-Hakubaicho or Nishinokyo Enmachi bus stop.

 Please walk to the backward direction after getting off, and soon you will find out the street lined with trees on your right.

In 2 minutes’ walk on the tree-lined street, you come to the gate of Kinkakuji Temple.

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

1. After Getting off, Head for the Backward Direction.

After getting off your bus, please walk to the backward direction, and turn right to the street lined with trees.

(Kinkakuji-michi bus stop C : Bus No.204, 205)

2. Walk on the Street lined with Trees.

Please walk along the tree-lined street.

3. Finally, the Gate of Kinkakuji Temple !

In 2 minutes’ walk, you come to the gate of Kinkakuji Temple.

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5. Kinkakuji Temple Information 

Opening Hours :

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (open all year round)

∗recommended to enter at least 30 minutes before the closing time

Admission Fee  :

¥400 (16 yars and over) / ¥300 (6 – 15 yars old)

Best time to visit  :

at anytime you want to visit