Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) Tours
The Silver Pavilion temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains has no silver on it at all. Legend has it that when Shogun – or military ruler – Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa in 1482 on the grounds where Ginkaku-ji stands today, he grandly stated he wanted the entire pavilion covered with silver to imitate the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), built by his grandfather. The villa was converted to a Buddhist temple after Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, and the shining nickname persists today.
The circular route around the Silver Pavilion begins in a dry sand garden, named the “Sea of Silver Sand,” where a cone-like representation of Mt. Fuji has been dubbed the “Moon Viewing Platform.” The grounds open up to a moss garden featuring ponds with islands and short bridges, streams, and a variety of foliage. The path snakes up a hill leading to a viewing point of the entire temple grounds and the city beyond. The path comes full circle with up-close views of the Silver Pavilion itself. Unlike some of Kyoto’s famous temples, none of the buildings at the Silver Pavilion can be viewed from the inside.
The circular route around the Silver Pavilion begins in a dry sand garden, named the “Sea of Silver Sand,” where a cone-like representation of Mt. Fuji has been dubbed the “Moon Viewing Platform.” The grounds open up to a moss garden featuring ponds with islands and short bridges, streams, and a variety of foliage. The path snakes up a hill leading to a viewing point of the entire temple grounds and the city beyond. The path comes full circle with up-close views of the Silver Pavilion itself. Unlike some of Kyoto’s famous temples, none of the buildings at the Silver Pavilion can be viewed from the inside.
Practical Info
City buses 5, 17, and 100 travel directly from Kyoto Station to Ginkaku-ji in about 35-40 minutes for 220 yen ($3USD) one way. Some pilgrims and visitors choose to walk along the Philosopher’s Path; the walk is 30-45 minutes from Nanzen-ji. The temple is open from 8:30am-5:00pm from March through November and 9:00am-4:30pm from December to February, and there are no closing days. The entrance fee is 500 yen ($5USD).
Address: 2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Hours: 8:30am - 5pm Mar - Nov and 9am-4:30pm Dec - Feb
Admission: 500¥
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
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Silver Pavilion Ginkaku-ji Temple Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Enhance your visit to the UNESCO-listed Silver Pavilion—Ginkaku-ji Temple by discovering its history and top features with a guide. You’ll learn about its link to Higashiyama culture, and the life of the art-obsessed shogun who lived there. It’s a great way to find out more Japan’s ancient traditions, including the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Noh theater, and poetry.
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From
$25.27
Price varies by group size
From
$25.27
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Private Custom Tour: Kyoto in One Day
Make the most of your time in Kyoto by booking a customized private tour with an expert guide. Create your own sightseeing itinerary, choosing from among dozens of cultural and historic landmarks, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Nijo Castle or Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Choose either a half-day or full-day itinerary and travel via public transport accompanied by your guide. Transportation and lunch is included on this comprehensive and flexible Kyoto tour.
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From
$223.38
Price varies by group size
From
$223.38
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour
Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
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From
$157.00
per group
From
$157.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Cycling at Kyoto Higashiyama (Shimogamo jinja, Ginkakuji temple, Gion, etc)
Let’s ride on a bike to explore Higashiyama, the most popular area among Kyoto, where many famous temples and shrines concentrated in.
This area is well-known about its jam-up, since thousands of tourists visit at all times of the year. Resulted in overcrowded buses and even if you are luckily get in, the bus may not move forward.
There are so many bus services provided by several companies which makes you confused. Yet people surround you maybe also tourists like you who know little about the area.
Let’s not waste your time reading maps, waiting for buses, and traffic jams.
After we leave Kyoto station, we will guide you several places: Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Shimogamo jinja, Ginkakuji temple, Tetsugaku-no-michi Street (the philosophers' path), Eikando, and Nanzenji temple. We continue pedaling to Gion area then the most busiest area of Kyoto, Sanjyo and Shijyo-kawaramachi.
You can either drop the bike at the place where the tour ends or keep pedaling until Kyoto station.
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From
$340.22
Price varies by group size
From
$340.22
Price varies by group size
The right way to know Kyoto
We are a small group of people who specializes in private and personalized tours in Kyoto. Our aim is to help our customers to utilize best their precious time in Kyoto by offering specially crafted tours covering Kyoto's top attractions.
When it comes to a trip, we know that you have your goals and preferences. We would love to hear about them and help you have a unique an unforgettable Kyoto experience.
Postgraduate students with Ph.D. or MA- level scholar graduated from Japanese universities, our guides have vast knowledge about Japanese history and culture because they have been living here for several years and are experts in their fields. Their high academic level makes them proficient not only on everything Kyoto but also on the way of life in Japan and its rich history.
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From
$478.09
per group
From
$478.09
per group
1-Day Kyoto Private Custom Tour from Osaka by Chartered Vehicle
This is a full-day custom tour ideal for small group. After selecting your preferred choice of transportation from an alphard, van or bus, your group will explore the World Heritage-listed Kyoto and visit the must-see sights at your own pace, and customise the day to see only what you want to, all with the help of a guide/driver.
Design your own itinerary and experience the region’s nature and culture.
Example Tour Route:
Route A: Kinkakuji Temple -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Kiyomizu-dera Temple -- Sannenzaka Ninenzaka -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route B: Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Sanjusangendo Temple -- Nijo Castle -- Kyoto Imperial Palace -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route C: Togetsukyo Bridge -- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route D: Kifune Shrine -- Sanzen-in Temple -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
…More
From
$826.10
per group
From
$826.10
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Face masks provided for travelers
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
![KYOTO Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/07/b3/2b/02.jpg)
KYOTO Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]
Private VIP Tour in KYOTO allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations.
You have your own private tour guide for approximately 8 hours.
Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information.
<<< You customize your own Day Trip in KYOTO >>>
STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests.
STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary.
STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary.
***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling with the tour guide. Please feel free to reach our team and tour guide for recommendation at any time.
***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.
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From
$429.58
per group
From
$429.58
per group
KYOTO by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018 Customize Your Itinerary
Private VIP Tour in KYOTO allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations.
You have your own private Land Rover Discovery 2018 and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours.
Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information.
STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests.
STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary.
STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary.
***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the car. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time.
***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s).
***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.
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From
$828.83
per group
From
$828.83
per group
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Kyoto Palaces and Temples
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. Its first name was “Heian-kyo”, the capital of peace and tranquility. Today, the city has kept its splendor. Imperial, military and religious palaces were built over the century and now crisscross it. It goes without saying and everyone knows it… Kyoto is a must to visit. And here we go!
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From
$246.37
per group
From
$246.37
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Daisuki Kyoto Half-Day Drive Cruising City Tour
Drive cruising comfortably to visit four of Tokyo's popular sightseeing spots on this half-day city tour with a driver. This is a great introduction to the city. We specially designed the pick-up time starts from 9 am onwards, not too early not too late to enjoy the city tour.
Drive through Major spots of Central Kyoto City*
Please select 1 place to visit from item 1, 2 and 3.
1 (a) Nishi Honganji Temple
(b) Higashi Honganji Temple
2 (a) Ginkakuji
(b) Kinkakuji
3 (a) Kiyomizu Temple
(b) Nishiki Local Market
Note: Admission is not included, if admission necessary, guest have to pay on their own.
<<
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From
$141.91
Price varies by group size
From
$141.91
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Kyoto Japanese Garden Lover's Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visiting various styled gardens and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design.
Our nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Kyoto.
Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Kyoto for a truly memorable experience!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
…More
From
$123.19
Price varies by group size
From
$123.19
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a four-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
…More
From
$93.24
Price varies by group size
From
$93.24
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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