Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺
Kyoto, Japan UNESCO World Heritage Site
Kinkaku-ji is a Buddhist temple and Japanese garden located in the Kita-ku district of Kyoto. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and the Shinbutsu Reijō Junpai no Michi. As a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, it is the 12th most looked-up sight in Japan and is dedicated to Guan Yin and Āryāvalokiteśvara.
Planning a visit
The temple is open Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. Admission is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children. Travelers can reach the site using Osaka Itami International Airport, which is 39 km away, or from Tokyo, which is 367 km from the temple.
The weather is warmest in August, with an average high of 30 °C and a low of 22 °C. The wettest months are July and June, which receive about 228 mm and 225 mm of rain. For cooler weather, January and February have average lows of -1 °C. Other months like April and October offer milder temperatures, with highs of 17 °C and 20 °C. Nearby attractions include Ryōan-ji, which is 1.1 km away, as well as Nijō Castle (3.3 km), the Kyoto Imperial Palace (3.5 km), and Shimogamo Shrine (4.1 km).
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is July, with about 228 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 6 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 9 |
| Average low, °C | -1 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 1 |
| Rainfall, mm | 74 | 86 | 126 | 126 | 172 | 225 | 228 | 136 | 191 | 134 | 88 | 68 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 17 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
