1-Day Northern Kyoto Itinerary: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji & Ninna-ji
Last Updated on March 22, 2026 by Charlotte
Northern Kyoto doesn’t get the same attention as Arashiyama or Gion, but I’d argue it deserves it just as much. This corner of the city is where you’ll find three of Kyoto’s most quietly extraordinary temples: one sparkling with gold leaf, one centered around a zen rock garden, and one with a multi-story pagoda that most visitors never quite make it to.
While I walked the whole route, I’d recommend a mix of walking and bussing for this itinerary, depending on your energy levels. Northern Kyoto isn’t particularly well-serviced by train, and the temples are spread out enough that walking between all three will clock some serious steps.
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Northern Kyoto 1-Day Itinerary Overview
This itinerary covers three temples in roughly 5–6 hours, including transit time between stops. If you’re short on time or energy, Ninna-ji (marked with a *) is the most optional of the three. But, if you’re already in the neighborhood, it would be a shame to skip it!
Map of Northern Kyoto Itinerary
Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)
Today, you’ll start your day at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion of Northern Kyoto. Be sure to arrive early, because this shrine sees over 5 million visitors annually, and often there is a wait to get in. I showed up fifteen minutes before opening, and the entrance was already packed with school groups.
Kinkaku-ji temple is dripping with real gold leaf, reflected in the pond in front of it on a clear blue day. On the temple grounds, the gravel path loops through the surrounding gardens before depositing you back at the exit, almost before you realize it. Don’t leave without drawing an omikuji (a paper fortune) from the wooden box near the exit.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 500 yen
- Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes
From Kinkaku-ji, it is about a 20-minute mostly flat walk, or a 10-minute bus ride to Ryoan-ji via City Bus #59 for 160 yen.
Ryoan-ji Temple
Ryoan-ji (龍安寺) is best known for its Zen rock garden and incredible fall foliage, and cherry blossoms in the spring. Once an aristocratic estate, the temple became a Zen monastery in the 15th century and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unlike Kyoto’s more dramatic temples like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi-inari, Ryoan-ji doesn’t dazzle with gold leaf or towering gates. But I found that I actually liked this temple more than Kinkaku-ji, because I felt more at peace here.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 600 yen
- Hours: 8:00am–5:00pm (March–November); 8:30am–4:30pm (December–February)
- Time needed: 45 minutes–1 hour
From Ryoan-ji, it is about a 10-minute walk Southwest to our final temple of the day, Ninna-ji.
Ninna-ji Temple *
Ninna-ji began as a summer residence for the imperial family before the temple was officially founded in 888 AD, with the imperial family acting as head priests. Ninna-ji even has its own palace buildings on the grounds called the Goten (御殿), that feature elegant tatami rooms and painted corridors opening onto a private inner garden.
Today, the free portion of the complex includes the main grounds, pagoda, and outer gardens, while the Goten requires a separate ticket.
I visited in peak autumn, but if you’re visiting in the springtime, Ninna-ji is worth visiting for its dwarf omuro zakura cherry trees. These trees bloom about two weeks after the rest of Kyoto, making it one of the best spots in the city if you’ve just missed the main sakura season.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 800 yen (Goten Palace); Walking around outside on the grounds is free
- Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm (March–November); 9:00am–4:30pm (December–February)
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Plan Your Visit to Northern Kyoto
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your perfect day in Northern Kyoto:
How to Get to Northern Kyoto
Northern Kyoto isn’t on a convenient train line, so most visitors arrive by bus or taxi. I personally took the bus, and while the ride was long, it was a pretty straight forward ride.
- By bus: From Kyoto Station, bus #205 stops at both Kinkakuji-michi (for Kinkaku-ji) and Ryoanji-mae (for Ryoan-ji), taking about 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Bus #26 connects to Omuro Ninnaji-mae for Ninna-ji Temple.
- By subway + bus: Take the Karasuma Line to Kitaoji Station, then transfer to bus #101, #102, or #204 for a shorter ride to the temple area (about 30 minutes total from Kyoto Station).
- By taxi: A direct taxi from central Kyoto takes about 20–30 minutes and is worth considering if you’re traveling with a group to split the fare.
Once you’re in the area, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Ninna-ji are all within about a 30-minute walk of each other, so you can move between them on foot or use local buses to hop between stops.
Best Time to Visit Northern Kyoto
Autumn is my personal favorite time of year to visit Northern Kyoto. The maple trees around Ryoan-ji’s pond and the gardens of Ninna-ji turn vivid reds and golds, and the cooler temperatures make the walking much more comfortable.
I visited in early December and found the crowds quite manageable, although I was disappointed that the pagoda (in the image above) was covered with scaffolding. Nevertheless, all of the stops on this itinerary are also very beautiful for cherry blossom season, especially Ninna-ji.
Where to Eat In Northern Kyoto
There are fewer places to eat in Northen Kyoto, so it is worth planning ahead.
- There are small snack vendors and cafés (like GOGO Coffee) near the Kinkaku-ji exit.
- For a proper sit-down lunch, head toward the Kinugasa or Kitaoji areas, which have a handful of casual restaurants and noodle shops.
- Or you can always grab something from a Konbini
What to Pack
- Cash: Most temples don’t accept cards, so bring enough yen for all three admission fees (approximately 1,900 yen total).
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll be on your feet for most of the day, and some paths are uneven stone.
- A bus IC card or day pass: Makes hopping between temples much smoother than buying individual tickets.
- Layers: Northern Kyoto can be cooler than the city center, especially in the morning.
- Portable charger: I had to go to a cafe to charge my phone on my Northern Kyoto outing because between the long bus ride from Kyoto station and all the walking around, my phone died.
Where to Stay in Northern Kyoto
Most travelers choose to stay more centrally in Kyoto, but, those seeking a quieter resort experience might enjoy something like Roku Kyoto, LXR Resort.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Kyoto?
Be sure to check out our guide on where to stay in Kyoto for the best hotels and neighborhoods. And if you have a few more days, be sure to check out our Arashiyama self guided walking tour itinerary!
