Kongobu-ji Temple
Kongobu-ji Temple
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
79 within 3 miles
Attractions
113 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
520 reviews
Excellent
286
Very good
194
Average
35
Poor
4
Terrible
1
travelerscal
Sacramento, CA1,649 contributions
Feb 2020
The place is a very impressive Temple with outstanding wall painting, intricate layout and the biggest rock garden in Japan.
We used a free English speaking tour guide just for two of us. It was fun to chat with a local lady.
Of course, it must be visited while in Koyasan.
We used a free English speaking tour guide just for two of us. It was fun to chat with a local lady.
Of course, it must be visited while in Koyasan.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BestRegards FromFar
Cape Town Central, South Africa674 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Absolutely loved the rock garden and the paintings in the sliding doors. This has become one of my favourite temples visited in Japan. It is large and a great one to explore as there is a lot to see. Highly recommend it.
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AB_Stb_OZ
Oud-Zuilen, The Netherlands601 contributions
Dec 2019
Kongobu-ji temple is the center of the Shogun Buddhist community. There are many temples and subtemples and there is an interesting (huge) Zen Garden. Staff is highly accomodating to visitors.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert Y
Hong Kong, China99 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Kongobuji is the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. The screen paintings and the large rock garden are very impressive. Do spend some time sitting down in complete silence on the edge of the rock garden, you may find that you're in another world.
Written May 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug B
Cleveland, Ohio, United States18 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
One is tempted to bypass this temple when visiting Koyasan and spend ones time at the cemetery. If you have 45 minutes, I would recommend a visit. Beautiful painted screens and an amazing stone garden, the largest in Japan.
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tonsterl
Sydney, Australia153 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I visited there early in the morning when there was hardly any tourist buses started coming.
I didn't take any audio guide and strolled the various rooms. Fascinating artwork in each of the rooms.
Don't miss the rock garden! Absolutely amazing!
I didn't take any audio guide and strolled the various rooms. Fascinating artwork in each of the rooms.
Don't miss the rock garden! Absolutely amazing!
Written December 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaurav B
Hong Kong, China53 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We went to this place while we were just walking around in koyasan as it is one of the recommended places to go. There were a number of old halls and structures but being from India, we've seen our fair share of these things. Maybe it means a lot to somebody who knows more about the place but for us it was quite normal.
Written April 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beroccstar
Ubud, Indonesia136 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
..and by definition I guess that means it's also the biggest in the world ;) Really worth paying to go in to see the rock garden otherwise it's just another temple.
At the moment they have a special night session from 6.30pm-8pm. We went at night and for a few moments really enjoyed the tranquility of the silent dark air on the precisely laid rocks. Unfortunately the serenity was quickly ruined by the entry of a family whose children ran around playfully screaming.. ah well. No tea or crackers at night and we missed the temple kitchen others speak of. Personally I wish we went in the daytime as the night lights don't do a great job of revealing the whole garden so we couldn't see it all.
At the moment they have a special night session from 6.30pm-8pm. We went at night and for a few moments really enjoyed the tranquility of the silent dark air on the precisely laid rocks. Unfortunately the serenity was quickly ruined by the entry of a family whose children ran around playfully screaming.. ah well. No tea or crackers at night and we missed the temple kitchen others speak of. Personally I wish we went in the daytime as the night lights don't do a great job of revealing the whole garden so we couldn't see it all.
Written September 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marathonwinner
Toronto, Canada113 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
The building is sort of ordinary if you've visited many other temples. There are some fine wall murals and good display labels that are fairly inspirational.
But make sure you follow the slightly hidden signs leading to the "Japanese Tea Service." This is code for free tea. More important, the tea area is slightly off the beaten path but seems to be the only way to see the famous rock garden - the largest rock garden in Japan. This is well worth seeing as it stretches around three sides of the temple and is really very good.
For some reason no one on site mentioned the tea or the garden to us, and there were few signs. We only stumbled upon it in our desperate drive for warmth.
But make sure you follow the slightly hidden signs leading to the "Japanese Tea Service." This is code for free tea. More important, the tea area is slightly off the beaten path but seems to be the only way to see the famous rock garden - the largest rock garden in Japan. This is well worth seeing as it stretches around three sides of the temple and is really very good.
For some reason no one on site mentioned the tea or the garden to us, and there were few signs. We only stumbled upon it in our desperate drive for warmth.
Written April 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristinePeregrina
Seabeck, WA347 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
This is a beautiful site - but avoid the crowds and tour buses and visit at night. You won’t be sorry.
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
関西空港から車では72kmくらいの距離です。1時間20分くらい。
電車では南海特急で天下茶屋まで行って、南海高野線急行で橋本まで行ってください。そこまで80分くらい。各駅停車に乗り換えて極楽橋まで50分。南海高野山ケーブルカー（3月リニューアル）で5分。そこからは徒歩かバスで周遊してください。加油！
Written May 6, 2019
Can I purchase a wooden Goshuin from the temple and how much would it cost in Yen?
Written October 29, 2017
You can get a goshuin but I am not sure about a wooden version. Did you mean an ema, those wooden plaques? I do not remember seeing those too.
Written October 30, 2017
Can I purchase a wooden covered Goshuin at the temple and what does it cost?
Written August 29, 2017
hola,
quisiera saber donde reservar para visitar kongobu ji temple ya que se me esta haciendo complicado encontrar algún link o email para pedir la reserva. alguien me podría indicar como lo hizo? muchas gracias
Written April 4, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing