What other travelers are saying about Kodai-ji Temple
A lovely temple with several buildings over a spacious garden. It’s very popular with many tourists: I saw three buses in the parking lot, but it’s spacious enough that it didn’t feel crowded. It’s on a slight hill so you can go up stairs and paths up into slight wooded areas. There is a small bamboo thicket that you can pass through to get the feeling of a bamboo forest. One of the buildings requires removing your shoes to explore. There is another building where you can sit & take some tea for an extra fee. I explored this place alone, and enjoyed it a lot. It was verdant and the air was refreshing. This is one of those destinations where people take photos in their rented kimono outfits, which seemed odd to me. As a western female redhead it would never occur to me to do that but there were lots who did. There are several rental shops nearby. I took a city bus to get to the temple which was easy and inexpensive.
Kōdai-ji is such a peaceful and beautiful temple to visit in Kyoto. The gardens are stunning — especially with the reflection ponds and bamboo grove that give off a calm, relaxing vibe. The temple buildings are elegant, and the pathways are well kept. If you visit in the evening, the light-up display makes it even more magical. It’s not as crowded as some other Kyoto spots, so it feels more relaxing and personal. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy nature, history, and quiet moments.
I visited this temple on another rain soaked morning. It has been drizzling since breakfast and in spite of that, many tourists like us was undeterred and pressed on! We bought tickets at the front counter and explored the grounds. The buildings and surroundings were well kept and neat. There were clear signs to guide us along the path. Some paths may be slippery because of the rain so caution is advised. The compound is beautiful and you can almost feel the history when you step into the old temple and feel the original woodwork. There is a tea house inside as well as quaint cafes outside so if you feel peckish, there are nice, quite places to stop and replenish and rest.
Kōdaji Temple while beautiful and relatively less crowded is unfortunately littered with bright orange cones and barriers in multiple areas to demarcate which areas cannot be accessed. This is a little bit of an eyesore, but also understandable for them to protect the buildings.
A JPY600 entrance ticket is required to enter the temple compounds. Entrance tickets are sold till 5PM and the compounds are closed at 5.30PM.
A pamphlet available in several languages is given to explain a little more about the history of this temple and its quite helpful to read even though the map is a little confusing.
There’s also a small bamboo forest in the compounds of the temple.
I have a wonderful experience here. It's definitely worth to visit. The garden is great and it also has a small bamboo forest. The ticket is 600Y (4$).
I visited there on 1 August 2025. This temple is not too crowded. So, chill!
Visitors can explore Kodai-ji's main hall, gardens designed by prominent masters, and a mausoleum for Hideyoshi and Nene. The temple's grounds include a rock garden, a pond with artificial hills, decorative rocks, and seasonal trees. Particular highlights include the Kodaiji Makie lacquer work and two tea houses designed by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Yes, Kodai-ji Temple is renowned for its nighttime illuminations, particularly during the spring and autumn, offering a different perspective on its beauty. These illuminations are highly recommended for their unique style and the serene atmosphere they create.
Kodai-ji is nestled between Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizudera. It is accessible within a 5-10 minute walk from the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop, about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus number 206.
Photography is generally allowed in the outdoor areas of Kodai-ji Temple, including its gardens. However, photography may be restricted inside certain buildings to preserve the space's tranquility and sacredness. It's advisable to look for signage indicating photography rules or ask a staff member before taking photos inside any buildings.
While there is no strict dress code for visiting Kodai-ji Temple, visitors are encouraged to dress modestly out of respect for the temple as a place of worship. It means avoiding overly casual or revealing clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the temple grounds are expansive with various terrains.
