The temple grounds are beautiful. That part of the city, along with the surrounding temples, was much less crowded than some of Kyoto’s more famous attractions. As a result, it was a real pleasure to explore the area in the early morning, when we could walk around with very few other people and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Beautiful temple grounds and very relaxing. We went on a weekday and basically had the place to ourselves. Unfortunately large parts of the scenery were closed for renovation work so we were not able to see the gardens or interiors of any buildings but it was still a lovely relaxing morning. 1 ⭐️ off for such large amounts of work being done and full ticket price being charged for entry, I’d have liked to see more of the grounds because I was in Kyoto just to see this temple but it was still wonderful
I visired here 8/4/2026. The low-growing Omuro-zakura cherry blossoms create a breathtaking view and it was full blooming!
In addition to the blossoms, Ninna-ji is a temple full of highlights, including the National Treasure "Kondo" (Main Hall) and the Important Cultural Property "Five-Story Pagoda."
The limited-edition spring "Kirie" (paper-cut) I Goshuin is beautifully designed with the Niomon Gate and cherry blossoms—it made for a wonderful souvenir. The "Sakura Omikuji" (cherry blossom fortune) was also very cute.
As of early to mid-April, the Omuro-zakura are in "full bloom!" Highly recommended if you are in Kyoto during this time.
There are some fine old buildings to see here, and the five-storied pagoda is particularly impressive but I think the pricing structure for this place is crazy; dividing the area up into three parts and charging ¥1800 for all three. I see all three areas as part of the same space and in fact you could have paid just for the first area as there was no ticket check when you wandered into the other two areas. Yes, it's a worthwhile site to visit but well overpriced. I would visit Ryoan-ji instead which costs just ¥600 and has far more beautiful grounds. Another point to note is that unlike some other Temples I've visited, the cherry blossoms bloom late here and as of the 3rd April the orchard of cherry trees haven't yet come into bloom.
A Peaceful World Heritage Site with Stunning Views
Ninnaji is a historic temple in Kyoto that offers a truly serene experience. It is very famous among Japanese people due to a humorous story in classical literature called "The Priest of Ninnaji" from Tsurezuregusa. The highlights are the magnificent five-storied pagoda and the exquisite Japanese gardens. It’s much quieter than other major spots in Kyoto, making it the perfect place to enjoy beautiful scenery in peace.
