From Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Kinkakuji (golden pavilion)
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1. Overview
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How to get to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) from Kiyomizu Temple ?
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
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.
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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.
2. By Kyoto City Bus No.206 + Walk for Kinkakuji Temple
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From Kiyomizu temple to Kinkakuji Temple (by bus No.206 plus walk from Senbon-Kitaoji bus stop), it takes in total at least 77 minutes including walking and average waiting time.
Bus No.206 for Kinkakuji Temple departs from Gojozaka bus stop C or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B.
Usually, either bus stop is fine, but, on peak season such as cherry blossom or autumn leaves, Gojozaka bus stop is better because buses are likely to be full of passengers when arrive at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop.
This Bus No.206 doesn’t go to near bus stop to Kinkakuji Temple (Kinkakuji-michi bus stop), so you need about 10 minutes’ walk from Senbon-Kitaoji bus stop.
1. Head for Bus Stops : Gojozaka C or Kiyomizu-michi B, and Take Bus No.206
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After getting out of Kiyomizu Temple, walk downhill street in 10 minutes until you come to Higashioji Street. Gojozaka bus stop C and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B are located at west side of the Higashioji Street.
(Please refer to the map in the previous section)
(the picture : the normal loop type of No.206 at Gojozaka bus stop C)
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Please be careful that bus No. 206 has 2 types.
One is normal loop type, and the other is boud for Kitaoji Bus Terminal.
Please take normal No. 206 for Senbon-Kitaoji bus stop.
This normal type buses are operated every 15 minutes in the daytime.
2. Get off at Senbon-Kitaoji Bus Stop, and Walk to the backward direction
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In about 50 minutes’ ride from Gojozaka bus stop, buses arrive at Senbon-Kitaoji bus stop.
After getting off, walk backward direction, and head for the intersection ahead (Senbon-Kitaoji intersection).
At the intersection, turn left and cross the crosswalk.
(Now, you are on the Kitaoji Street)
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After crossing the crosswalk, go past an other bus stop, and keep walking along the Kitaoji street.
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In about 5 minutes’ walk from Senbon-Kitaoji intersection, you come to the curving road.
Walk along the curving road, then, you’ll see Kinkakuji-mae intersection ahead.
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At Kinkakuji-mae intersection, turn right, cross the crosswalk and head for tree-lined street.
The gate of Kinkakuji is at the end of the street. (a few minutes’ walk)
3. Finally, the gate of Kinkakuji Temple (golden pavilion) !
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In about 10 minutes’ walk from Senbon-KItaoji bus stop, you finally come to the gate of Kiyomizu Temple !
3. By changing Buses : No.206 + Others for Kinkakuji Temple
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To go by changing buses from Kiyomizu Temple to Kinkakuji Temple, it takes about 75 minutes in total, including walking and average wating time.
Subway & Bus One-day Pass is available.
The bus fare is ¥460 in total.
Please change buses from No.206 or No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal to 204 , 205 or 102 at Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Sta.).
The followings are the details.
1. Head for Bus Stops : Gojozaka C or Kiyomizu-michi B, and Take Bus No.206
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Please head for the same bus stops (Gojozaka bus stop C and Kiyomizu-michi bus stop B) as bus No.206 for Senbon-Kitaoji.
From Kiyomizu Temple to these bus stops, it takes about 10 minutes’ walk.
(Please refer to the map in the first section)
(the picture : Bus No.206 bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal at Gojozaka bus stop C)
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Although bus No.206 has 2 types, you can take both types.
(One is normal loop type, and the other is boud for Kitaoji Bus Terminal)
These buses are operated by turns, every 7 or 8 minutes in the daytime.
2. Get off at Kitaoji Bus Terminal, and Change to Bus No.204, 205 (or 102).
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In at least 40 minutes’ ride from Gojozaka bus stop, buses arrive at Kitaoji Bus Terminal.
After getting off, head for Bus Stop F or G on blue platform of the Bus Terminal.
Then, take Bus No.205 or No.102 at bus stop F or Bus No. 204 at bus stop G .
Currently, No.102 is operated only on weekends & holidays.
These buses are operated a lot in total.
3. Get off at Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop, and Head for backward tree-lined street
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In about 11 minutes’ ride, buses arrive at Kinkakuji-michi bus stop.
After getting off, walk backward direction, soon you come to the Kinkakuji-michi Intersection.
Then, turn left, and head for tree-lined street.
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