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Ninnaji Temple

Ninnaji Temple

4.4 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Place Of Worship・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich history and stunning beauty. Founded in 888 by Emperor Uda, it has served as an important religious and cultural center for over a thousand years. The temple is part of the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and has been home to many generations of imperial family members who served as its head priests.

The temple grounds are vast and include a variety of beautiful structures and gardens. One of the main attractions is the five-story pagoda, which is an iconic feature of the temple. The Goten, or former residence of the head priest, is designed like an imperial palace and offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the past.

Ninnaji is particularly famous for its Omuro cherry trees, which bloom later than other cherry trees in Kyoto, providing a second chance to enjoy the cherry blossom season. The cherry trees are shorter and have a unique charm, drawing many visitors each spring.

The temple also features a beautiful rock garden and various halls filled with historical artifacts and artwork. A visit to Ninnaji Temple offers a deep dive into Japan's cultural and spiritual heritage, making it a must-see for anyone exploring Kyoto.

Hours:

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (March to November)

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (December to February)

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Cherry Blossom Season)

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Admission Fee:

Free

500 yen (Cherry Blossom Season Admission Fee)


Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone
+81 75-461-1155
Website
ninnaji.jp

The area

Address
33 Omuroōuchi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8092, Japan

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What other travelers are saying about Ninnaji Temple

Beautiful world heritage site without many tourists. The garden was specially gorgeous and the atmosphere was peaceful and tranquil. Definitely one of the more underrated temples in Kyoto. The surrounding streets were nice to walk and catch a glimpse of old city Kyoto. There were some cafes to wind down after a long walk and the train station is worth checking out as it is old timey too.
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Daniela Cervera
Jun 9, 2025
Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of Kyoto's great temples that are listed as World Heritage Sites. Ninnaji is also famous for a grove of locally cultivated, late blooming cherry trees called Omuro Cherries. Because the trees are late blooming, Ninnaji is a good place to visit towards the end of Kyoto's cherry blossom season, which is usually around mid April.
This is a Buddhist temple in North west Kyoto that is deeply related with the Imperial family of Japan. The temple is especially famous for its Omuro Sakura cherry trees which are the latest blooming cherries in the whole of Kyoto. But we havent seen the Sakura trees yet here
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Ardith Telewik
Mar 27, 2025
A lot of the Goten and Shinden temple section is under reconstruction, so you don't see a lot of palace and garden for ¥800. But the bits I did see were lovely. It's also a bit naughty that I had to pay an extra ¥500 to access the area with the Kondo Main Hall, Kannon-do and five-storey pagoda because it was the "cherry blossom season" even though there was no blossom at all.
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David Bowman
Mar 24, 2025
A very important heritage place with great variety of temples and buildings to explore + a beautiful garden.
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Robert Magyar
Jul 14, 2025


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