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Kodai-ji Temple, Kyoto

4.3
#14 of 687 in Historic Sites in Kyoto
Religious Site · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot
Find tranquility and history at Kodai-ji Temple, a Buddhist shrine founded in the 17th century. Originally established in 1606, this site belongs to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and features ornate interiors and Zen gardens. Enter through the main hall, redone in 1912, explore the rock and tsukiyama-style gardens, and walk uphill to the site's mausoleum and two teahouses. The premises also contain a secondary temple with its own Zen gardens. With our custom trip planner, Kyoto attractions like Kodai-ji Temple can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.
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Tours to Kodai-ji Temple

FROM $180 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto One Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private
4.4
Duration: 8 hours
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FROM $113 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto Private Night Tour: From Gion District To Old Pontocho, 100% Personalized
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
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FROM $100 BOOK WITH VIATOR Carefree Private Exploration of Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kiyomizudera, and More
Duration: 4 hours
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Kodai-ji Temple reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
1,489 reviews
Google
4.3
TripAdvisor
  • By Lance_Kerwin
    this temple is located in a beautiful part of Higashiyama Ward. It sits atop a slight hill. Kodai-ji is a jewel of Momoyama Period architecture. Getting there: Kodaiji is located in the Higashiyama....  more »
  • By 828muhammadrizalf
    beautiful japanese garden, not so crowded. inside mainhall is prohibited to take pothograph (where the Hideyoshi wife live). but we can enjoy the garden here.  more »
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Google
  • By not so helpful person
    Contrary to other places, I'm relieved to know it's crowded, the view is great, I'm lucky to be there for the night illumination
  • By Mary Silvia
    Love the layout of this temple and garden. Beautiful in the fall for momiji. There is a tea house where you can have matcha and wagashi. Also a small bamboo area if you can’t get to arashiyama.
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