Before You Visit Ginkaku-ji: Every Cost, and What's Worth It
Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, doubled its entry fee on 1 April, its first rise in over 30 years, so many guides now show the wrong price. It's still a beautiful stop at the start of the Philosopher's Path, with a raked-sand garden and moss-covered hillside. There's the standard entry, special spring and autumn interior viewings, and walking tours of Higashiyama. Most of them sound worth paying for. You don't need any extras to have a great visit. In this guide we walk through what each option costs, what you really get, and how to choose the right time, whether that's a quiet morning or a busy early afternoon.
- Adult (high school and up)
- ¥1,000
- Elementary / junior high
- ¥500
- Under school age
- Free
- Price change
- Doubled on 1 April
- Special interior viewing
- Spring and autumn only
- Winter hours (Dec-Feb)
- 9 am-4:30 pm
- Quietest
- Opening to about 11 am-noon
Check the crowds, find the best time slot, and book through our authorised partner.
Book on the Klook website
The real total: entry price vs what a typical visit costs
Since 1 April, adults pay ¥1,000 (up from ¥500) and elementary and junior high students ¥500 (up from ¥300), according to Kyoto's official tourism site; preschool children are free. The temple cited rising maintenance and staff costs. The Tōgudō and main hall interiors open only during special viewings in spring and autumn.