Ninnaji Temple

Ninnaji Temple (Ninna-ji) is a Buddhist temple in Ukyo ward in northwest Kyoto and the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. It was founded in 888 and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is best known for its Omuro cherry trees, the latest-blooming cherries in Kyoto. Outside cherry blossom season, the main grounds are free to enter.

Emperor Koko began the temple in 886 and died a year later. Emperor Uda completed it in 888 and became its first head priest. Members of the imperial family then served as head priests until 1867, which is why Ninnaji is known as a monzeki, or imperial temple. Its residence was called the Omuro Palace, and the area around the temple is still called Omuro.

Ninnaji Temple admission fees

• Temple grounds: free outside cherry blossom season

• Goten (palace and gardens): 800 yen for adults

• Reihokan museum: 500 yen for adults, open only in April to May and October to November

• Cherry blossom season: 800 yen for adults to enter the area past the Chumon inner gate where the Omuro cherries grow

High school students and younger enter all areas free. Groups of 15 or more pay a reduced rate. The cherry season fee period changes each year with the bloom, so check the temple's admission table before you go.

What to see at Ninnaji

Niomon gate and the five-story pagoda

The massive Niomon gate faces the main road and marks the temple's entrance. Inside the grounds, the five-story pagoda was built in 1644 during the temple's rebuilding in the Kan'ei era and stands about 36 meters tall. In spring it is framed by cherry trees. To compare it with other temples in the city, see our list of Kyoto temples and ticket prices.

Kondo (Golden Hall)

The Kondo is the temple's main hall and a National Treasure. It was originally the Shishinden, the ceremonial hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and was moved to Ninnaji during the Kan'ei-era rebuilding in the 17th century. In spring, Somei Yoshino cherries bloom in front of it.

Goten palace and gardens

The Goten is the former residence of the imperial head priests, a set of halls linked by covered corridors with painted sliding doors. Its gardens include a raked white-sand garden and a pond garden. According to the temple, the Goten garden is the only temple garden in Kyoto with a view of a five-story pagoda. This is the main paid area outside cherry season, and the best reason to visit in fall and winter.

Omuro 88 pilgrimage

On Mount Jojuyama behind the Kondo, a trail called the Omuro 88 Pilgrimage links 88 small halls. A head priest created it in 1827 as a miniature of the Shikoku pilgrimage, with sand from each Shikoku temple buried under its hall. It takes about two hours to walk. Storms have damaged parts of the trail, and the temple is repairing it in stages, so watch for closed sections.

Omuro cherry blossoms at Ninnaji

The Omuro cherries grow in a grove on the west side of the grounds, just past the Chumon inner gate. They are the last cherry trees to bloom in Kyoto, so Ninnaji is a good choice if you arrive after the city's main bloom has passed. The trees are short, so the blossoms are close to eye level. The grove has been a national Place of Scenic Beauty since 1924. Weeping cherries by the bell tower and Somei Yoshino cherries by the Kondo flower earlier. Our list of cherry blossom spots in Kyoto shows where else to go before and after.

The temple asks visitors to use public transportation during cherry blossom season, since streets around it get crowded.

How to get to Ninnaji Temple

• By Randen tram: Omuro-Ninnaji Station on the Randen Kitano Line. The Niomon gate is in sight as you leave the station.

• By JR Bus from Kyoto Station: the Takao-Keihoku Line to Omuro Ninnaji in about 30 minutes

• By city bus from Kyoto Station: Kyoto City Bus 26 to Omuro Ninnaji in about 40 minutes

• By JR: Sagano Line to Hanazono Station, then a 15-minute walk, or to Emmachi Station and City Bus 26 for about 10 minutes

A Randen day pass covers Omuro-Ninnaji, Kitano-Hakubaicho and the line to Arashiyama.

Ninnaji sits at the western end of Kinukake-no-michi, a road that links it with Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji. Ryoan-ji's rock garden is the closest of the two and makes an easy pairing for a half day in northwest Kyoto.