Muslim Friendly Japan
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

UNESCO World Heritage

金閣寺（鹿苑寺）

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is the common name of Rokuon-ji, an affiliate temple of Shokoku-ji. It began as the Kitayama palace of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who started building it in 1397. The three-story pavilion uses a different building style on each floor, and its second and third floors are covered with pure gold leaf, with a phoenix on the roof. It stands beside Kyoko-chi Pond, in a large garden that covers most of the temple grounds. Kinkaku-ji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

9:00–17:00. Hours may change during special exhibitions.

Closed

Open all year.

Admission

Adults (high school and older) 500 yen; elementary and junior high school students 300 yen.

Getting there

City Bus 12, 59, 205 or M1 to Kinkakuji-michi, then about 5 minutes on foot. From Kyoto Station, Kyoto City recommends the subway to Kitaoji Station, then bus 204 or 205.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

  • There are stone steps and an uphill path along the route. The garden is not barrier-free.
  • Only snapshots with small cameras for personal use are allowed.
  • There is no place on the grounds to eat a packed lunch.
  • In peak season you may not be able to board the bus.

Tips for Muslim visitors

  • There is no place to eat a meal in the garden area, so eat before or after your visit.
  • The garden route includes a mountain path that climbs up to the Sekka-tei tea house.
  • Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
  • Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
  • Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
  • Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kyoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
  • Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.

Prayer times in Kyoto

Today (5 Nov 2026)

  1. Fajr04:45
  2. Sunrise06:21
  3. Dhuhr11:43
  4. Asr14:37
  5. Maghrib16:59
  6. Isha18:25

Times are calculated for central Kyoto. Times may differ elsewhere in Kyoto.

Next 7 days →

Places to pray near Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Nijo-jo Castle
  • Ask at reception first

About 3.3 km away Last checked: 4 Nov 2026

All places to pray in Kyoto →

Halal food near Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:

Distances and walking times are estimates based on straight-line distance.

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Map

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Photo: Ifan Nuriyana, Unsplash License, via Unsplash

Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): shokoku-ji.jp, ja.kyoto.travel, kyoto.travel, pref.kyoto.jp