What other travelers are saying about Kodai-ji Temple
Beautiful light illumination experience! The main illumination show was excellent — vibrant lights, great sound, and an engaging story that I wanted to watch again, though it was a bit short (around 5 minutes).
The temple grounds themselves are calm and pleasant to walk around at night. The lighting on the trees is nice, though not particularly special. There’s also a small bamboo garden which adds to the atmosphere.
Be careful while walking: many paths have stone steps that can be slippery.
There’s no stamp available on your own booklet. Instead, they sell a pre-stamped temple paper for 500 yen. Evening illumination entrance ticket is 600 yen per person.
A lovely temple with several buildings over a spacious garden. It’s very popular with many tourists: I saw three buses in the parking lot, but it’s spacious enough that it didn’t feel crowded. It’s on a slight hill so you can go up stairs and paths up into slight wooded areas. There is a small bamboo thicket that you can pass through to get the feeling of a bamboo forest. One of the buildings requires removing your shoes to explore. There is another building where you can sit & take some tea for an extra fee. I explored this place alone, and enjoyed it a lot. It was verdant and the air was refreshing. This is one of those destinations where people take photos in their rented kimono outfits, which seemed odd to me. As a western female redhead it would never occur to me to do that but there were lots who did. There are several rental shops nearby. I took a city bus to get to the temple which was easy and inexpensive.
Going to this temple at night whenever they have their special ligh show and illumination is a wondrous experience. It is just so gorgeous. The light show is nice and fun, but the best part are the trees reflecting on the lake, all illuminated, and simply gorgeous. The fact it was fall and they had all these different pretty colors made it all even better. I have been to this temple both during the day and at night, and I found the night experience even more memorable. I would very much recommend going whenever they have their temple illuminated.
This was GORGEOUS!!!! It was amazing to see everything lit up at night and the fall colors, wow!!! They had a light show of the history with music that just lit up the the temple grounds. It was phenomenal!! This is a must see!!! The pictures don't do it justice! You just can't capture the magic and the beauty here!
A truly charming temple with beautifully landscaped gardens, quiet walking paths, and a lovely bamboo grove. Kodaiji has a peaceful vibe that makes it stand out from the busier temples in Kyoto. The buildings, tea houses, and ponds are all well maintained and full of character. A great place to unwind and appreciate Kyoto’s traditional beauty.
Visitors can explore Kodai-ji's main hall, gardens designed by prominent masters, and a mausoleum for Hideyoshi and Nene. The temple's grounds include a rock garden, a pond with artificial hills, decorative rocks, and seasonal trees. Particular highlights include the Kodaiji Makie lacquer work and two tea houses designed by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Yes, Kodai-ji Temple is renowned for its nighttime illuminations, particularly during the spring and autumn, offering a different perspective on its beauty. These illuminations are highly recommended for their unique style and the serene atmosphere they create.
Kodai-ji is nestled between Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizudera. It is accessible within a 5-10 minute walk from the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop, about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus number 206.
Photography is generally allowed in the outdoor areas of Kodai-ji Temple, including its gardens. However, photography may be restricted inside certain buildings to preserve the space's tranquility and sacredness. It's advisable to look for signage indicating photography rules or ask a staff member before taking photos inside any buildings.
While there is no strict dress code for visiting Kodai-ji Temple, visitors are encouraged to dress modestly out of respect for the temple as a place of worship. It means avoiding overly casual or revealing clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the temple grounds are expansive with various terrains.
