Kinkakuji Temple’s Golden Pavilion is probably Kyoto’s most famous sight. Covered in glittering gold leaf, the pavilion dazzles admirers as it shimmers in the sunlight over its mirroring pond. Both the temple and its delightful Zen stroll garden are a must visit location for any visitor to Kyoto. The only problem is its location. Kinkakuji Temple is located in the far north west of Kyoto and is not located near any major train lines. In this article we will explore your best options when considering how to get to this iconic Kyoto landmark.
A vision of Zen beauty, the world famous Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto City Bus
The easiest, cheapest and most direct way to get to Kinkakuji Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus. Buses for Kinkakuji depart from the main bus terminal on the north side of the Kyoto Station building. Take Kyoto City Bus #205 bound for Kinkakuji and Kitaoji Bus Terminal, and get off at Kinkakuji-michi. From there it is a short walk to the temple entrance. The standard flat-zone city bus fare is 230 yen for adults and 120 yen for children. In light traffic the ride takes around 40 minutes, but it can take longer when the roads are busy.
Check the #205 destination display for Kinkakuji-michi before boarding
Buses that go to Kinkakuji will have the destination written in English beside the route number
Bus stop letters and boarding positions can change, so it is best to check the route number and destination display before boarding rather than relying only on a remembered stand number. Do not use Kyoto City Bus #101 for Kinkakuji from Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station that route serves the Gojozaka and Kiyomizudera side of the city, not Kinkakuji.
Always check the route number and destination sign before boarding a Kyoto City Bus
The color or design of the bus is less important than the route number and the destination shown on the front and side of the vehicle.
A distinctive bus design does not replace checking the route number and destination
If you are unsure about which bus to take, don’t worry. There is usually a staff member at the Kyoto Station bus terminal who can advise you about the best bus to take.
Alternative Routes
How you decide to go to Kinkakuji Temple will depend on what other tourist locations you want to visit on the same day and how much time you have available. There are a number of touring options available. Here are our recommendations:
The Kyoto City Bus Circuit
If you know which buses to take, you can easily and cheaply do a one day circuit of Kyoto city taking in some of its major sites. For a simple return trip between Kyoto Station and Kinkakuji by regular city bus, paying the standard fare each way is cheaper than buying a day pass. If you plan to combine several bus and subway rides, however, the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass can be useful. It costs 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children, and is valid for one day on Kyoto Municipal Subway, Kyoto City Bus, and many Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus routes, with some exclusions. You can buy it at Kyoto Station’s city bus and subway information counters, including the Kyoto Station information center and Kotochika Kyoto.
Transport information counters at Kyoto Station can help with route advice and passes
Using regular city buses, you could first take Kyoto City Bus #205 to Kinkakuji-michi for Kinkakuji Temple. From there, Kyoto City Bus #204 or #102 can take you across the city toward the Silver Pavilion of Ginkakuji. If you want to add Kiyomizudera Temple to the same day, check the stop timetable or route planner before setting out, because the sightseeing bus network uses different route numbers and some limited express sightseeing buses have a higher single-ride fare of 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children unless you are using a valid Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass. For more information on bus routes and discount tickets, check our article on Taking a Bus in Kyoto.
Kyoto Sightseeing “OKOSHI” Bus Tours
The Kyoto sightseeing tour bus
Organized bus tours can take the stress out of planning your tour of the city as everything is done for you. Keihan Bus operates Kyoto Sightseeing “OKOSHI” Bus tours from the JR Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit OKOSHI Bus Terminal, close to Isetan department store and the Kyoto Central Post Office. Some tours include a Japanese-speaking guide and GPS audio guidance in English, Chinese and Korean.
The Classic Kyoto tour to Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera is a good choice for first-time visitors who want to see three of Kyoto’s most famous temples in one outing. The tour takes about 5.5 hours, departs at 10:00, and costs 6,900 yen for adults and 3,450 yen for children. Admission to Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera is included.
Another option is the Kyoto Highlights tour, which visits Tenryu-ji Temple and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. This tour takes about 6.5 hours, departs at 09:50, and costs 6,900 yen for adults and 3,530 yen for children. Admission to Tenryu-ji Temple and Kinkaku-ji Temple is included.
To find out more details of these tours or to reserve a tour, visit the Kyoto Sightseeing “OKOSHI” Bus website. You can also make enquiries and bookings directly at the Kyoto Sightseeing “OKOSHI” Bus Terminal outside Isetan department store.
Kyoto Sightseeing Bus Center
The Sky Bus Tour
The Kyoto Sky Bus
The Sky Bus Kyoto is an open top double decker sightseeing bus. It is a fun way to get an elevated view of central and eastern Kyoto, but it is not a way to visit Kinkakuji Temple. The W2 Sky Bus Kyoto Open-top Drive Around Tour takes about one hour and, on operating days, has departures at 9:30, 11:30, 14:00 and 16:00. The fare is 2,300 yen for adults and 1,150 yen for children.
The route passes or views places such as Nishi Hongwanji Temple, Nijo-jo Castle, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Heian Jingu Shrine, Chion-in Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto Minamiza Theater and Kyoto Tower. Some services allow passengers to get off at Gion. For more details check our article on the Kyoto Sky Bus. Sky Bus tours and regular OKOSHI Bus tours depart from the sightseeing bus stand outside Isetan department store on the north side of Kyoto Station.
The Keifuku Randen Line
If you have plenty of time available, you might consider visiting Kinkakuji as part of a more focused but relaxed tour of north western Kyoto. After taking the bus to Kinkakuji, you can continue west along the Kinukake-no-michi area toward Ryoanji Temple with its famous rock garden. From the Ryoanji and Myoshinji area, stations on the Keifuku Randen Kitano Line give access toward Kitano-Hakubaicho, Omuro-Ninnaji, and onward connections toward Arashiyama. For more information about the best sightseeing spots along this route check our Keifuku Randen Line article.
Another side to Kinkakuji
Hire a Taxi
If you want to splash out on a more personal service several taxi companies in Kyoto offer tours of the city with English speaking drivers that can be custom tailored to your requests. Check our article on Taxis in Kyoto for more details about hiring a private taxi service.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 04-Jul-2026.
