Temple
Ryoan-ji
龍安寺
A Zen temple converted from an aristocrat's villa in 1450, known for its rock garden of 15 rocks set in raked pebbles, viewed from the Hojo. A pond park lies below the main buildings. It is part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
Key facts
- Station
- Ryoanji (Keifuku Kitano Line)10 min walk
- Admission
- Paid entry
- Typical visit
- 45 min
- Hours
- 8:00 to 17:00 (March to November); 8:30 to 16:30 (December to February)
- Website
- www.ryoanji.jp
Tip
Opening at 8:00, it can be visited before Kinkaku-ji opens; the two are about a 20-minute walk apart.
01Where to stay
Stay nearby
This place is near Kinkaku-ji and Kitano. Median hotel rate in the latest sample: US$431 per night. Where to stay near Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Prices and availability come from the booking sites and can change.
02Map
Nearby places
- Temple Ninna-ji 仁和寺 Founded in 888 by the reigning emperor and long headed by members of the imperial family, Ninna-ji is part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Paid entry 1 h 3 min walk
- Temple Myoshin-ji 妙心寺 A large Rinzai Zen complex with about 50 subtemples. Paid entry 1 h 5 min walk
- Temple Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 金閣寺（鹿苑寺） Formally Rokuon-ji, the former retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf. Paid entry 40 min 7 min walk
- Shrine Hirano Shrine 平野神社 A shrine a few minutes north of Kitano Tenmangu with around 60 varieties of cherry trees that flower in succession over about six weeks. Free entry 20 min 7 min walk
Sources · Verified 24 September 2026