Ginkakuji Kyoto at a glance
Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, is a temple in eastern Kyoto and one of the 17 parts of the UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. A normal visit takes you through the gardens along a set path. The pavilion itself, the Kannonden, is not open inside, and other buildings open only for special viewings with their own ticket.
The temple sits at the northern end of the Philosopher's Path, a canal walk of about 2 km. With Nanzen-ji and Eikan-do further south, this makes a half-day walk in eastern Kyoto. If you would rather go with a guide, our page on Kyoto tours compares walking tours and day tours.
Ginkakuji entry fee and opening hours 2026
Open daily. The times below are the hours for entry; the grounds empty about 20 minutes after the last entry.
| 1 March to 30 November | Winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 8:30 to 17:00 | 9:00 to 16:30 |
| Last entry | 17:00 | 16:30 |
| Adults | ¥1,000 | ¥1,000 |
| Elementary and junior high school | ¥500 | ¥500 |
| Special viewings | Separate ticket | Separate ticket |
The adult price in 2026 is ¥1,000. The bus stops are Ginkakuji-michi and Ginkakuji-mae; city buses cost ¥230 for adults within the flat-fare zone, and the Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass costs ¥1,100 (2026). The garden route itself takes about 30 minutes, so most of your time here goes on the walk to the south.
Kyoto walking tours and day tours
Guided walks and day tours in Kyoto that you can combine with a self-guided half day on the Philosopher's Path. Check the route and the meeting point before you book.
The Philosopher's Path
The Philosopher's Path follows a canal for about 2 km between Ginkaku-ji and Kumano Nyakuoji, near the Nyakuoji bridge. The walk is free. Anraku-ji and Honen-in are small temples close to the path, if you want a detour.
Do not expect the path to run straight into Nanzen-ji: it ends near Nyakuoji, and the temples further south are separate visits with their own tickets. How long you need depends on how often you stop; plan the walk as a relaxed part of the day rather than a timed route.
Cherry blossom and autumn leaves
The busiest weeks in Kyoto are cherry blossom season at the end of March and early April and the autumn leaves from mid November to early December. Both seasons bring crowds to this walk too. Start at Ginkaku-ji when it opens to have the gardens and the canal quieter. No one can predict the exact peak, so check our page on the best time to visit Kyoto for the usual dates.
Nanzen-ji Kyoto: tickets and hours
The temple at the southern end of this walk. Its grounds and the brick aqueduct are one thing; the gardens and halls you pay for are another.
| Area | Adults | High school | Elementary and junior high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hojo garden | ¥600 | ¥500 | ¥400 |
| Sanmon gate | ¥600 | ¥500 | ¥400 |
| Nanzen-in | ¥500 | ¥450 | ¥350 |
Each area has its own ticket (2026). Visitors with a disability certificate and one companion enter free. Hours are 8:40 to 17:00 from March to November and until 16:30 in winter; ticket sales stop 20 minutes before closing. General viewing is closed from 28 to 31 December. If time is short, pick one area rather than all three; the aqueduct and the grounds are not the same as the paid areas.
Eikan-do in autumn 2026
Eikan-do is another temple in this part of eastern Kyoto. Regular entry is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥800 for university students, ¥600 for junior high and high school students and ¥200 for elementary school children. During the autumn exhibition from 11 November to 6 December 2026, day entry costs ¥1,500 for adults, ¥1,000 for students and ¥800 for junior high and high school students, with tickets sold 9:00 to 16:00 and closing at 17:00.
The evening viewing runs from 20 November to 6 December 2026, 17:30 to 20:30, closing at 21:00, for ¥1,000 from junior high school age. Day and night are separate tickets, and you cannot stay on from one to the other. There is no advance sale: you buy on the day. Tripods, photos inside the halls, eating and drinking are not allowed, and there is no parking for private cars. The Garyuro and Senbutsudo are closed during the autumn period.
A half day from Ginkakuji to Nanzen-ji
A walking plan from north to south.
Ginkaku-ji at opening
Arrive by bus at Ginkakuji-michi or Ginkakuji-mae. About 30 minutes in the gardens.
Temples and shrines →Along the canal
Walk the 2 km of the Philosopher's Path south. Add Honen-in or Anraku-ji if you like.
Best time to visit →Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji
Pick one or both, depending on your energy and the season. Each has its own ticket.
Where to stay →If you also want to see the golden pavilion, this comparison of Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji helps you decide how to fit both in.
Ginkakuji: frequently asked questions
How much is Ginkakuji in 2026?
¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary and junior high school students. Special viewings of other buildings cost extra.
Can I go inside the Silver Pavilion?
No. The Kannonden is not open to the public. A normal visit covers the gardens; other buildings open only for special viewings.
How long do I need at Ginkakuji?
About 30 minutes for the garden route. With the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji or Eikan-do, plan half a day.
How long is the Philosopher's Path?
About 2 km along the canal between Ginkaku-ji and Kumano Nyakuoji. Stops at temples on the way add time.
Does one ticket cover Nanzen-ji?
No. The Hojo garden, the Sanmon gate and Nanzen-in each have their own ticket, from ¥500 to ¥600 for adults (2026).