Note: This is a provisional (unofficial) English translation of the Japanese page published on our Japanese site (Japanese original). The Japanese original takes precedence. The translation may be revised without notice.
Kitayama Rokuon Zenji (北山鹿苑禅寺), commonly known as Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), is a temple in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. This article gives an overview of its sect, principal image, history, and access.
Basic information
| Temple name | Kitayama Rokuon Zenji (北山鹿苑禅寺), commonly known as Kinkaku-ji |
|---|---|
| Mountain name (sangō) | Kitayama |
| Sect | Rinzai, Shokoku-ji branch (臨済宗相国寺派) |
| Principal image (honzon) | Shō Kannon (聖観音), principal image of the hōjō (abbot’s hall) |
| Address | Kinkakuji-chō 1, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
History
- 1397 (Ōei 4): Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満) built the Kitayama Villa, which became the origin of the temple. Musō Soseki (夢窓疎石) is named as the invited founder (kanshō kaisan).
- 1399 (Ōei 6): The current Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku, the Shariden reliquary hall) was completed.
- 1408 (Ōei 15): Ashikaga Yoshimitsu died.
- 1420 (Ōei 27): The Kitayama Villa became a Zen temple and was named Rokuon-ji, after Yoshimitsu’s title Rokuon-in-dono (鹿苑院殿).
- 1950 (Shōwa 25): The National Treasure Shariden (Golden Pavilion) and its Buddhist statues were destroyed by arson.
- 1955 (Shōwa 30): The dedication ceremony for the rebuilt Kinkaku was held.
- 1986–1987: A major Shōwa-era restoration was carried out.
- 1994 (Heisei 6): Registered as a World Heritage Site under the name “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
The garden is designated by the state as a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The wall paintings (shōheiga) by Itō Jakuchū (伊藤若冲) in the Ōshoin (large study) are among the designated Important Cultural Properties.
Visitor tips
Visitors are said to receive an ofuda (お札, talisman) instead of a regular entrance ticket as their admission ticket.
Visiting guide (fees, hours, parking, etc.)
| Visiting hours | 9:00–17:00. |
|---|---|
| Admission fee | Adults (high school and older): 500 yen. Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen. |
| Goshuin | Issued at the goshuin counter on the way from the Golden Pavilion to Yukatei (夕佳亭), just before the path descends from the hill. Recording in the goshuin book is said to end at 16:30. |
| Parking | A paid parking lot with about 250 spaces, according to available information. |
This guide is based on the information in each source as checked on September 19, 2026. Fees, hours, and events may change. Please check the latest information with the temple or local tourism association before your visit.
Access and map
About 2 minutes on foot from the Kyoto City Bus stop “Kinkakuji-michi.”
Other temples in Kyoto Prefecture
- Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
- Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺, Jishō-ji)
- Tō-ji (東寺, Kyōō-gokoku-ji)
- Ryoanji (龍安寺)
- Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Rengeō-in)
- Daigo-ji (醍醐寺)
For ancestor researchers
If you are looking for a family temple (bodaiji, 菩提寺) or the location of a necrology register (kakochō, 過去帳), you may also wish to see the list of temples in Kyoto Prefecture by municipality.
