Aug. 18, 2020 UPDATE
Kodai-ji Temple
- 高台寺 -Traveler Friendly
There are brochures in English at the entrance.
The tourist information center is alongside the Nene-no-michi (street), which is next to the Daidokoro slope that leads to the entrance of the temple.
A free map in English of the area around the temple is offered.
Information
Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and more
(around 10 languages are available)
Languages spoken
Japanese Only
Story & Recommendation
See a traditional Japanese garden in the Gion area
Kodai-ji Temple is located between the popular sightseeing spots of Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. It was established in 1606 by a noble woman called Nene to mourn her husband Hideyoshi, a famous samurai general who was one of the unifiers of Japan during the Sengoku period (1467-1603). Kodai-ji Temple is well known for its beautiful Japanese garden, with its ponds and numerous historical structures carefully placed throughout. It is open at night during special periods of the year and the garden illuminated for you to enjoy a magical landscape.
Details
Open Hours
9am - 5pm (gates close at 5:30pm and last entry at 5pm)
Reservations
All explanations during the tea ceremony are in Japanese. Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance and bring your own translator.
For groups of seven or more, ¥3000 per person
For the genuine style of tea ceremony (2-6 persons) ¥4000 per person
The temple admission fee is included in these prices. The same fee is required for translators as well.
Closed
None
Price range
Adults: ¥600
13 - 18 years olds: ¥250
Groups: (30 people or more) ¥500
Discount for 3 places (Kodai-ji Temple, Kodai-ji-sho museum and Entoku-in temple): ¥900
Elementary school children must be accompanied by a guardian (Elementary school child are free)
Credit cards
Not accepted
Other
Please do not eat or use selfie sticks, tripods, or monopods on the temple grounds, and do not enter prohibited areas.