I reckon a must-have location on your itinerary. Chances are it will be packed on the climb here and at the temple itself - but it's well worth the trek. The grandeur of the temple complex has to be experienced first-hand. Also, for a place that sees such heavy foot traffic, I couldn't see any litter along the way.
A floating shrine surrounded by red forests feels like stepping into a dreamlike, sacred world. The shrine itself, often painted in vivid vermilion, seems to hover gracefully over the water during high tide, its reflection shimmering in the still surface below. Beautiful and I don't suggest buying tickets. Just walk the opposite way of the red trees surrounding the track (of course we bought tickets) The surrounding red forest adds to the enchantment. In autumn, the trees blaze with fiery hues of scarlet, crimson, and orange, their vibrant colors contrasting beautifully with the tranquil blue of the water and the shrine’s striking architecture. Has a beautiful view of the city and tower in Kyoto.
The temple is incredible, but it’s hard to fully embrace the intended atmosphere of meditation and gratitude when it’s so crowded with tourists, people yelling, and long lines. I think the space itself is stunning and could have been a different kind of visit, but I just couldn’t fully connect with its energy. So, it wasn’t as memorable for me as other temples in the city, but the view is definitely beautiful.
VERY crowded, but worth a visit! GO EARLY before the tour groups arrive.
We went around 9 am on a weekday, and it was already packed with tour groups which all sort of arrived at the same time, making photo ops quite difficult. Honestly, I recommend just soaking in the architecture and vibes instead of stressing about pictures.
The temple itself is stunning, and the building and surroundings make it a must-visit if you’re in Kyoto. The intricate design and historical significance really stand out despite the crowd.
Fun fact: the entrance ticket design changes depending on the season, which is a cute touch!
Even with the chaos, it’s one of those places you’ll want to visit at least once for the experience. Try to go early, but prepare for crowds regardless.
We went on Wed about 4pm. Took bus 106 from Kyoto Bus Station and it was super packed with tourists. You will need to climb up slope to reach the temple and the street is filled with many shops as well as tourists. Entering the front part of the temple is free but you need to pay 500Y to access the back portion where the famous views are taken. Overall is just too crowded. While the view is nice, I feel that it's not worth it to be squeezing with so many people.
