Shinyo-do Temple

Shinyo-do Temple is a beautiful temple located atop Yoshida-yama Hill. The main hall here is sublime and the ground is dotted with cherry and maple trees.

Shinyo-do Main Hall – image © Chris Rowthorn

Shinyo-do Temple will always be one of my favorite temples in Kyoto. I lived directly next to the temple for years and I walked through the grounds almost every day. Even after hundreds of visits, I was always struck by the beauty of the place. You can tour the grounds of the temple for free. If you are really interested in Buddhism and Japanese gardens, you can pay Y500 to enter the main hall and view the inner garden. For most people, however, just strolling the superb grounds will be sufficient. Don’t forget to walk behind the main hall, which is where you’ll find the best Japanese maples.

Shinyo-do is a few hundred meters north of Kurodani, another fine temple, and it’s pretty easy to connect the two by walking out of the main gate of Shinyo-do and then turning left on the first road and walking for about 5 minutes.

Here are the walking directions to Shinyo-do from the Kinrin Shako-mae bus stop: After getting off the bus, walk north on Shirakawa-dori (the same direction as the bus from Kyoto Station was heading). Turn left toward the Family Mart convenience store, and go left in front of the shop. Walk through the narrow allow and then take a right. You’ll pass Hiyoshi-jinja Shrine on your left, then the road jogs right then left. Walk up the narrow lane. At the crest of the steep hill, you’ll see a cobblestone road going uphill on your left. Follow this uphill to reach the temple.

Walking Tour: Shinyo-do Temple features in our Private Walking Tour of Northern Higashiyama Highlights and Secrets

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Destination

Check-in date

Mon 14 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Tue 15 Oct 2024

English address:
82 Shinyo-cho, Jodoji, Sakyo-ku

Japanese address:
左京区浄土寺真如町８２

Opening hours:
grounds: dawn to dusk
inner garden and main hall: 9am to 4pm

Admission:
Admission to grounds: free
Admission to inner garden and main hall: Y500

Non-smoking area: Yes

Nearest Transport:
Bus No 203 from downtown or bus No 5 from Kyoto Station, both to Kinrin Shako-mae bus stop, then walk for about 10 minutes

Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near to Shinyo-do Temple on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone: 771-0915

Website:
Official Website (Japanese)

Where Is This Place Located?

See these places on our Kyoto Google map:

• Open the Kyoto map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
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• If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Near To Here:
Shinyo-do Temple is located in Kyoto’s Northern Higashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Northern Higashiyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Kyoto District Map

• Arashiyama
• Central Kyoto
• Northwest Kyoto
• Nishijin
• Northern Higashiyama
• Southern Higashiyama
• Downtown Kyoto
• Kyoto Station Area
• South East Kyoto