Myoshin-ji Temple

Myoshin-ji Temple is a walled-in world of Zen temples that easily merits a half-day or even full day of leisurely exploring.

image © Damien Douxchamps

Most tourists headed up to this corner of Northwest Corner head right past Myoshin-ji Temple en route to Kinkaku-ji Temple or Ryoan-ji. This is puzzling, because it’s actually one of the most appealing temple compounds in the city. Whether you enter from the north or south gate, you’ll find a whole world of lanes and beguiling subtemples to explore.

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You should definitely make a point of seeing the eponymous Myoshin-ji Temple, the main temple here, as well as Taizo-in, one of Kyoto’s finest gardens, but don’t be afraid to poke your head into smaller temples and keep your eyes peeled for special openings. There are a few temples here that are only open a few days a year – if you pass by one of these, go in: you won’t be disappointed.

See our complete guide to the Myoshin-ji temple complex on our Finding Zen In Myoshin-ji page.

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English address:
64 Myoshin-ji-cho, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku

Japanese address:
右京区花園妙心寺町64

Opening hours:
Main temple buildings:

• 9:00am to 4:00pm (last entry 3.30pm):
• 9:10-11:40am (every 20 min)
• 12:30pm (only once)
• 1:00pm-3:30pm (every 20 min)
• Closed irregularly

Admission:
Admission to main temple buildings:

• Adults: ¥200
• Junior high school students: ¥200
• Elementary school students: ¥100
• Other areas of the complex: Free

Non-smoking area: Yes

Nearest Transport:
15min walk from Hanazono Station, JR Sagano-san-in line

Telephone: 461-5226

Website:
Official Website (English)

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Near To Here:
Myoshin-ji Temple is located in Northwest Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Northwest Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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• A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
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