Introducing the sightseeing route to Kinkakuji Temple, a symbol of Kyoto's splendor
There are ways to tour Kyoto that don't stray too far from Kyoto Station, but we recommend you try the route to Kinkakuji Temple. Many people may recognize it from their social studies textbooks in elementary school. It's a little far from Kyoto Station, about 35 minutes by train and bus. However, its beauty is definitely worth the trip. This time, we will introduce a route to visit Kinkakuji Temple while wearing a kimono.
●Kimono rental is available at VASARA Kyoto Station, a kimono rental shop located right in front of Kyoto Station.
VASARA Kyoto Ekimae is a kimono rental shop located right in front of Kyoto Station. There are many kimono rental shops around Kyoto Station. Kyoto Station is the perfect starting point for sightseeing in Kyoto, as it is the departure and arrival point for various public transportation services, including trains and buses. Change into a kimono here and start your trip. A set of kimono rental and dressing starts from 2,900 yen (online reservation price). The 2,900 yen kimono has a plain and simple design. Kinkakuji Temple is gorgeous with its gold color, so if you want to match it, we recommend the Three Star Plan (online reservation price 6,900 yen). Kimono with a furisode pattern are included in this plan. Of course, if you see the kimono in the store and feel that this plan is better, you can change the plan from the time of reservation! (※Refunds cannot be made for downgrades)
Once you have decided on a kimono, a professional dresser will help you put it on. The estimated time is about 10 minutes for choosing a kimono, 20 minutes for dressing, and 15 minutes for hair styling, totaling about 45 minutes. It is quite possible that it will be crowded, so it is best to allow yourself about an hour just to be safe.
The road to Kinkakuji Temple
To get to Kinkakuji Temple, take the San-in Main Line to Marumachi Station from Kyoto Station, then take the city bus 204-B or 205-B from the Nishinokyo Marumachi (JR Marumachi Station) bus stop to Kinkakuji-michi. The fare is about 420 yen. Once you reach Kinkakuji-michi, it's about a 6-minute walk to Kinkakuji Temple.
●World Heritage Kinkakuji Temple
The golden Shariden Hall, which symbolizes the splendor of the thousand-year-old capital, is officially called Rokuon-ji Temple, but it is so famous for its grounds, which are said to represent the Pure Land, its gorgeous scenery, and its golden Shariden Hall that it came to be called Kinkaku-ji Temple. In addition to being a rare three-story building at the time, the Shariden Hall was covered in gold leaf at the request of its builder, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and its beauty reflected on the water surface like a mirror is enough to take your breath away.
There are many parts of Kinkakuji Temple that you should see, so I will give you the details.
-Buddha Hall Construction
The Shariden is a wonderful blend of three different architectural styles. The top part is a Zen Buddhist style Buddhist temple with a complex curved flower head window. The interior walls and ceiling are also covered in gold leaf. Incidentally, the shining bird at the top of Kinkakuji is a phoenix, symbolizing Kitayama culture, which developed under the influence of Chinese culture. This is also covered in gold leaf, of course.
・Shinden-style + Shoin-style
The first floor is built in the Shinden-zukuri style, which was a style of aristocratic residence in the Heian period. The second floor is built in the Shoin-zukuri style, which was favored by samurai and has had a strong influence on modern Japanese-style homes. There is no roof between the two floors, and they are united as one.
・Kyoho Pond
The beauty of the garden that spreads out around the Kyokochi Pond is also one of the highlights. The pond, which is about 6,690m2 in size, represents the sea, and is a stroll-style garden with many islands.
If you visit this beautiful Kinkakuji Temple in a kimono, you are sure to take some great photos.
Admission fee: 400 yen
●To the World Heritage Sites around Kinkakuji Temple
Ryoanji Temple and Ninnaji Temple are located close to Kinkakuji Temple. These are also famous World Heritage sites, so why not visit them together?
・Ryōan-ji Temple (Admission fee: 500 yen)
Founded during the village town period, this is a temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The simple rock garden, with 15 large and small stones arranged in a layer of white sand, represents the state of Zen enlightenment.
・Ninna-ji Temple (Admission fee: 500 yen)
Ninna-ji Temple is full of things to see, including the national treasure Kondo, the important cultural property five-story pagoda, and the Niomon Gate. In the spring, you can't miss the beauty of the Omuro cherry blossoms.
If you go to Ninnaji Temple, you will find a bus stop called "Omuro Ninnaji" where you can take city bus 26 back to Nishinokyo Marumachi (JR Marumachi Station) where you used to go to Kinkakuji Temple. From there, return to Kyoto Station and return your kimono to finish your trip.
Summary
What did you think? We have introduced the sightseeing route to Kinkakuji Temple in a kimono. The whole walk will take about 3 to 4 hours, so you can do it as a day trip. Or, if you are staying overnight, you can take the train to Arashiyama, see the bamboo forest lit up at night and the Kimono Forest lined up at Arashiyama Station, and then return the kimono the next day. Whatever route you take, we hope you will make use of VASARA kimono rental store at Kyoto Station, which is the perfect place for you.
For more information about the VASARA kimono rental store in front of Kyoto Station, please click here.
