Kyoto attractions: Comparing temples, shrines and sightseeing areas

Compare selected Kyoto attractions using official details on visiting hours, admission fees, transport access and restrictions, with a checklist for planning each stop.

Last checked:

  • Kyoto
  • Shrines, temples and parks
  • Independent travel

Kyoto’s temples and shrines have different opening hours and admission rules, and some offer extended evening hours in certain seasons. This page compares official details for major attractions and explains etiquette in Gion and Nishiki Market. The information is based on official pages checked on 2026-10-28. Confirm hours and fees again before departure. Return to the Kyoto travel guide, or see Kyoto transport for how to get around.

Key points

  • Kinkaku-ji is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00; admission for high-school students and older is 500 yen.
  • Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00 and closes at 18:00 from 1 September to 20 November 2026. From 21 to 30 November, it extends opening to 21:30, with final admission at 21:00.
  • Tenryu-ji garden opens from 8:30 to 17:00, with adult admission at 500 yen; entry to the temple buildings costs an additional 300 yen.
  • Byodo-in garden admission for adults is 700 yen. Entry to the Phoenix Hall interior costs another 300 yen and is managed in groups subject to capacity.

Attraction comparison (checked on 2026-10-28)

Attraction Access Hours Admission Notes
Kiyomizu-dera () The temple recommends the Kiyomizu-zaka and Chawan-zaka () approaches; map services may mark the entrance incorrectly 2026-09-01 to 11-20: 6:00 to 18:00; 11-21 to 11-30: extended to 21:30 The official page does not list the regular admission fee Sightseeing buses EX100 and EX101 operate on holidays; adult fare 500 yen
Kinkaku-ji () City bus stop “Kinkakuji-michi” 9:00 to 17:00, open year-round High-school students and older 500 yen; elementary and junior-high school students 300 yen
Fushimi Inari Taisha () JR Inari Station or Keihan Fushimi-inari Station The official access page does not list visiting hours Not listed on the official access page Public transport is encouraged
Tenryu-ji () Arashiyama, JR Saga-Arashiyama Station Garden 8:30 to 17:00, final admission 16:50 Garden: high-school students and older 500 yen; temple buildings another 300 yen The buildings close on some days; during the special autumn 2026 period the garden opens from 7:30 on 14 to 30 November (north gate still 8:30)
Byodo-in () Uji, about 16 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR Nara Line rapid train Garden 8:45 to 17:30, last entry 17:15; Phoenix Hall interior 9:30 to 16:10 Garden (including Hoshokan Museum): adults 700 yen; Phoenix Hall interior another 300 yen Interior visits are admitted in groups subject to capacity; admission may close early if the day’s places fill up

Etiquette: Gion and Nishiki Market

Place Official guidance
Gion () Do not chase, touch or photograph geiko () and maiko () without permission; do not enter private property
Private land and alleys Avoid entering private property or photographing private land, and do not block roads
Nishiki Market () Eat in areas designated by the shop where you bought the food rather than while walking

How to choose

Situation Consider first
Want to avoid congestion on direct buses from Kyoto Station Kiyomizu-dera: the official recommendation is rail plus walking; on holidays, EX100 and EX101 go to Gojozaka ()
Want to visit in the morning Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00; Tenryu-ji has special early opening at 7:30 in autumn 2026
Want an evening visit Kiyomizu-dera has extended evening hours in spring 2026 (27 March to 5 April) and autumn (21 to 30 November); official dates for 2027 have not yet been announced
Want to use the railway Fushimi Inari (JR or Keihan), Arashiyama (JR), Uji (JR)

Reminders

  • No single official time is given for completing the full pilgrimage around Mount Inari, so this page does not provide one.
  • The desktop version of Fushimi Inari’s official page says its car park closes from 30 December to 6 January over New Year, while the mobile version says from 29 December to 6 January. The two versions differ. The shrine encourages public transport.
  • Dates for evening visits and special openings change from year to year. Check each temple or shrine’s official website.

Further reading

Sources