
Visiting Kyoto for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Make the most of your first time in Kyoto, Japan, with our top tips.
The temple is located at 526 Shimogawara-cho Kodaji, Higashiyama-ku. Access is by city bus 206 or 207 (get off at Higashiyama Yasui). From the JR Kyoto Station or Kintetus Kyoto train stations, the temple is a 15-minute taxi ride. No private car parking is available.
The temple and museum are open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission includes both attractions and is sold from a bank of ticket windows near the entrance for $5.80 (600Y) for adults and $2.40 (250Y) for children. A tri-pass, which also includes entry to nearby Entokuin temple, costs $8.70 (900Y).
The Kodai-ji Temple has special late hours—with white lights and paper lanterns illuminating blooming cherry trees or colorful autumn leaves—for limited weeks in spring, summer and fall.