Ginkaku-ji Temple

Ginkaku-ji Temple: Our most recommended tours and activities

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  1. Kyoto: Private Customized Walking Tour with a Local

  Discover Kyoto like a local and see the top attractions on a 2, 4, 6, or 8-hour private walking tour. Meet your host and get insider tips on what to see and do, learn about the culture and discover hidden gems along the way. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Book your preferred tour duration at least 72 hours in advance so that the best experience can be created in advance. You will be contacted shortly after booking to chat about your needs and interests. A like-minded host will then be provided, along with a bespoke, but flexible, itinerary exclusive to you. Visit sacred sites like the shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha or Kinkajuki Temple, explore the cultural district of Gion or get off the beaten path in historic neighborhoods with the help of y...

  The guide was extremely well versed in Japanese culture as well as sights and attractions. Japanese and English was fluent. 10 out of 10 would recommend this tour guide specifically Taibi.

  Reviewed by Chris, 9/8/2021
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  2. Kyoto: Japanese Gardens Private Customizable Tour

  Explore the many gardens of Kyoto on this customizable tour with a private guide. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly.  Visit various styled gardens and experience traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and the entire design. Relax at both, artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples. Learn about the meaning and the history of the gardens from your knowledgeable guide. Most popular places to visit for this tour: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kinkakuji Temple Ginkakuji Temple Ryoanji Temple Honen-in Nanzenji Temple Tofuku-ji Temple Kyoto Imperial Palace Shugakuin Imperial Villa Daitoku-ji Temple Kokedera Suzumusidera Katsura Imperial Villa Kyoto Botanical Garden

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  3. Welcome to Kyoto: Private Walking Tour with a Local

  Transform the way you travel and make it as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Get a welcome to Kyoto from a local host eager to share all the tips and tricks to help you make the most of your stay. Meet at your hotel or accommodation and get familiar with your local neighborhood. Learn about the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around. Alternatively, arrange to meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Hear about the top things to do, customized to your interests. By the end of the tour, you will feel more comfortable navigating the city on your own with all the information you need.

  Our guide Agustin was so helpful and friendly. He took us to a lovely temple that wasn't on the main tourist trail, which was a great opportunity to escape the crowds of Kyoto in the autumn colours season. Our walking tour included all the things that we'd expressed interest in when booking. After the tour, Agustin also kindly emailed me information that he had researched for us about a museum exhibition and antique shop because we'd explained that we were interested in Japanese netsuke. Thank you Agustin!

  Reviewed by Clare, United Kingdom, 12/8/2019
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  4. Kyoto: Ginkaku-ji, Philopher's Path and Nanzen-ji Tour

  Enjoy a 3-hour walking tour covering some of central Kyoto's best-kept secrets in the Higashiyama area. First stop is Ginkaku-ji temple, which dates back to the 15th century and was restored 10 years ago. The temple was constructed with heavy wooden beams, and has an elaborate roof and typical Japanese sliding wooden doors with rice paper. You’ll then explore the surrounding gardens. Experience the starkness between carefully raked stones, moss, and then more elaborately presented grasses, plants, and trees. Learn about Buddhism from your guide and how its teaching are linked to the design of the temple and its gardens.  Next, head down a quaint, traditional shopping street that lead to the Philosopher's Path, or "Tetsugaku-no-michi" in Japanese. You’ll walk approximately 2 km (about 1.25 miles) down this gently winding, flat path that mostly runs along a lovely stream and beneath a ca...

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  5. Kyoto: Small-Group Guided Tour by Minivan

  Meet your driver guide and head to Sanjusangendo in eastern Kyoto, famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Continue to Shogunzuka Mount and take in panoramic views over the entire city of Kyoto, a valley surrounded by mountains. Journey to ramen street in the northern part of Kyoto for lunch (not included). Enjoy the authentic local atmosphere with many ramen restaurants competitively crowded together in one street. For vegetarians suitable restaurants are available as well. After the lunch break, walk along the cherry tress of the Philosopher's path. Marvel at the cherry blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn. Meet your driver guide at the end of the path and be escorted to Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) known for its tea ceremony room and the beautiful gardens. Then, visit Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto and see a variety of local foods such as sea...

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  6. Kyoto: 1-Hour Ginkaku-ji Temple Guided Walking Tour

  Take a short, fantastic, and value-packed trip to the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji Temple accompanied by a nationally-licensed guide. Discover the history of the Silver Pavilion, or Ginkaku-ji Temple, along with its beautiful and unique gardens of moss and dry sand. Built in the late 1400s, Ginkaku-ji was originally planned as a retirement villa for an art-obsessed shogun. Initial plans involved covering it with silver foil. Those plans were never realized, but the name remained. You can learn more about the history of this temple from one of your guide while strolling through the grounds and admiring the aesthetic beauty of the gardens and buildings.

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  7. Kyoto: Guided Walking Tour around Philosopher’s Path

  Meet your friendly guide at JR Kyoto station and get on the bus together. Arrive at 'Ginkaku-ji' and start exploring the philosopher's world. Visit Ginkaku-ji Temple, the silver temple, located at starting point of the Philosopher’s Path. Learn why it is called a silver temple even though it isn't covered with silver. Taste soft serve with a piece of gold or silver leaf on it. You can choose between gold and silver. Discover why Philosopher’s Path is famous among locals. Experience the perfect place to stroll while being lost in thought. Gaze at cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. Continue to Otoyo Shrine, one of the unique shrines located alongside the Philosopher’s Path. Shrines like this one usually have a statue of dogs made from stone, but this site has a rat statue which is unique to this shrine. Then, experience Nanzen-ji Temple, said to...