Tofuku-ji Temple
Tofuku-ji Temple
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Southern Kyoto
Southern Kyoto has a reserved air. Though the Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's major tourist attractions, the surrounding nature, parks, gardens, temples, and shrines provide less-visited spaces for strolling and reflection. The Fushimi Inari Shrine itself is made up of 32,000 sub-shrines, and the mountain they are dotted across beckons hikers, picnickers, and lovers of the outdoors. Many of the mountain's off-set paths aren't frequented by tourists, and the mountain's serenity can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Southern Kyoto is the place to enjoy being outside, and to pay your respects to the ancient architecture and gods of the land that are celebrated here.
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Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,056 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- wengkiongSingapore, Singapore16 contributionsStunning autumn foliageIt's like stepping into an autumn wonderland with gorgeous autumn foliage in every corner. Your eyes are filled with brilliant maple reds and brilliant ginkgo yellows. No wonder this is one of the top autumn spots in Kyoto!Visited December 2022Written December 7, 2022
- tsai2009Orange County, California497 contributionsAutumn FoliageCompares to 2016’s first visit, the main area viewing maple leaves from the long hall bridge wasn’t as grand as it was, but still there were lots of them still standing as red as it can be. The weather sure play as a big factor, this year again came a bit late. However for the first goers it was still beautiful as it us. We still enjoy it very much.Visited December 2022Traveled with friendsWritten December 29, 2022
- carloscharmyBangkok, Thailand703 contributionsMarvelous, even in springTōfuku-ji Temple is marvelous, even in spring! Set aside at least 2 hours to fully immerse in its beauty. The gardens are simply breathtaking, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the seasonal blossoms. Despite the spring crowds, the temple's serenity prevails, providing an enriching and memorable experience. A must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility in the heart of Kyoto.Visited March 2023Written July 22, 2023
- liucy752Taipei, Taiwan1,231 contributionsA temple with exceptionally beautiful landscapeOne of the temples with exceptionally stunning landscape in Japan. The Tongtian Bridge (通天橋), the Woyun Bridge (臥雲橋) and temples among the green mountains and blue waters are like a fairyland on earth. As other famous spots for viewing fall foliage, this place will become crowded with people when the maples turn red a month later. The scenery will be more beautiful but lose its elegance and serenity.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 15, 2023
- E CVictoria, Australia266 contributionsOverpriced!As a previous reviewer has mentioned this place is a rip off! Most shrines are approx ¥5000-6000 to get in, this one was ¥10,000 which wouldn’t be so bad if it gave you access to all the other buildings and gardens on the site, but no the want ¥10,000 for each building! The autumn colours were lovely but without those I don’t think this would be anything worth visitingVisited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 17, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,838 reviews
Excellent
1,008
Very good
660
Average
142
Poor
17
Terrible
11
Siddharth B
Seattle, WA549 contributions
Sep 2019
Tofukuji is best viewed in autumn, and we went too early as we went end of September. The beautiful view of the temple tucked in between the mountains and red bush is barely visible. However there are trails with beautiful sights of mossy trees as well as a beautiful area of shrubs adjoining the temple with a crossing bridge. If you’ve already seen many Japanese shrines, this might not amaze you but it’s beautiful otherwise. Amongst other features there is a rock garden here too, as well as an exhibit where you’ve to pay seperately for the garden with square-shaped design on the floor (see pics). There are many nice temples in the complex. Overall a good temple to stop by, especially given it’s walkable from here to Fushmi Inari (which is IMO the best temple in Japan), but not unmissable.
Written February 10, 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.
jarmwr40
British Columbia, Canada3,125 contributions
Oct 2020
wandered here through the sennyu-ji temple, a beautiful area.
maple trees just starting to turn colors.
we were visiting beloved kyoto for our third and most likely last time.
lucky to be able to meet up with our friend who was born here and have her show us her fav temples.
this buddhist temple was founded in 1236 and rebuilt in the 15th century.
it is one of the 5 great zen temples of kyoto.
the main gate is the oldest sanmon in japan, at 2 stories high and 5 bays wide.
the temple includes 24 sub temples.
there are large numbers of maple rees that pop with color in the fall, we were a little early to see that.
a beautiful sunny day, girls in rented kimono strolling about.
kyoto at its best.
we came here in oct. 2019 and due to covid I'm only just getting at sharing my experiences.
a beautiful spot.
maple trees just starting to turn colors.
we were visiting beloved kyoto for our third and most likely last time.
lucky to be able to meet up with our friend who was born here and have her show us her fav temples.
this buddhist temple was founded in 1236 and rebuilt in the 15th century.
it is one of the 5 great zen temples of kyoto.
the main gate is the oldest sanmon in japan, at 2 stories high and 5 bays wide.
the temple includes 24 sub temples.
there are large numbers of maple rees that pop with color in the fall, we were a little early to see that.
a beautiful sunny day, girls in rented kimono strolling about.
kyoto at its best.
we came here in oct. 2019 and due to covid I'm only just getting at sharing my experiences.
a beautiful spot.
Written February 11, 2021
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.
ClemRobyns
Brussels287 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I have visited dozens of temples in Japan. This is the first one that manages to charge entry for every building SEPARATELY, and again for the garden. And the fees, at 1000 yen for each building and 500 for the garden, are the highest I've seen in Japan. This is not a temple, this is a rip off.
Written November 14, 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.
wengkiong
Singapore, Singapore16 contributions
Dec 2022
It's like stepping into an autumn wonderland with gorgeous autumn foliage in every corner. Your eyes are filled with brilliant maple reds and brilliant ginkgo yellows. No wonder this is one of the top autumn spots in Kyoto!
Written December 7, 2022
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.
E C
Victoria, Australia266 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
As a previous reviewer has mentioned this place is a rip off! Most shrines are approx ¥5000-6000 to get in, this one was ¥10,000 which wouldn’t be so bad if it gave you access to all the other buildings and gardens on the site, but no the want ¥10,000 for each building!
The autumn colours were lovely but without those I don’t think this would be anything worth visiting
The autumn colours were lovely but without those I don’t think this would be anything worth visiting
Written November 17, 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.
Paul W
2 contributions
Sep 2020
Amazing Zen garden by Mirei Shigemori!
It's a big temple complex. With several sub temples and Zen gardens.
And many of the Zen garden were design by one of the greatest Japanese garden designer of all time. I love each and every on of those gardens.
It's a big temple complex. With several sub temples and Zen gardens.
And many of the Zen garden were design by one of the greatest Japanese garden designer of all time. I love each and every on of those gardens.
Written August 18, 2021
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.
tsai2009
Orange County, CA497 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Compares to 2016’s first visit, the main area viewing maple leaves from the long hall bridge wasn’t as grand as it was, but still there were lots of them still standing as red as it can be. The weather sure play as a big factor, this year again came a bit late. However for the first goers it was still beautiful as it us. We still enjoy it very much.
Written December 29, 2022
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.
carloscharmy
Bangkok, Thailand703 contributions
Mar 2023
Tōfuku-ji Temple is marvelous, even in spring! Set aside at least 2 hours to fully immerse in its beauty. The gardens are simply breathtaking, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the seasonal blossoms. Despite the spring crowds, the temple's serenity prevails, providing an enriching and memorable experience. A must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility in the heart of Kyoto.
Written July 23, 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.
Rebecca_Bee_8
Bristow, VA58 contributions
Mar 2020
Tofuku-ji is a lovely place for a walk. The gardens are simple but breathtaking, and the whitewashed temples are beautifully maintained. I only had time to walk around for about 45 minutes, but I definitely could have spent twice that long there. A very peaceful place.
Written March 23, 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.
ChesireCats
Langkawi, Malaysia279 contributions
A beautiful scenery with a view to die for. Crowded at outside with a pleasant environment inside. Although you need to fork out ¥500 for the entrance fee, it is worth every money that you spent. Please avoid driving your car to these place as the the situation/traffic is worse during fall foliage season.Take a train from Kyoto's station as the temple is just 2 station stop from there. Oh! Dont forget to bring your camera as well!
Written January 27, 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.
barbadosbybus
Toronto, Canada88 contributions
Would we need to climb a lot of stairs to get to the Tsutenkyo bridge? My mum is elderly and can climb stairs but not too many.
jnish2002@yahoo.com
Grand Junction, CO105 contributions
There’s very few stairs. There’s a lot to see without going up the steps. To get inside one of the temples there are a few steps, however, I don’t think it should be much of an issue.
ChouquetteSG
Singapore133 contributions
Is this temple stroller friendly ?
helloogieee
Singapore, Singapore115 contributions
There are many flights of steps to get to the temple. Some of the pavement are laid with gravels. Suggest you carry your baby in a sling.
elemah
10 contributions
Quanto tempo ci vuole per visitarlo?
How long does it take to visit it？
wanderer8888
284 contributions
Tofukuji temple has four garden its name The Southern,Western,Eastern & Northern garden. Admission ¥400. It will be beautiful view if visit on Autumn because the Momoji turns red at the side of bridge. To enjoy Tsutenkyo Bridge admission ¥ 400.
There is a big wood Budha.
Unfortunately its closed when I visit on Oct last year. One hour its enough to enjoy this temple. Same route with Fushimi Inari Shrine. Catch Roku bus one day pass gor ¥500. I hope my answer help you to enjoy Tofukuji temple.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tofuku-ji Temple
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Tofuku-ji Temple:
- Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour (From $300.00)
- Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide (From $191.69)
- Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons) (From $684.61)
- Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (From $143.77)
- Full Day Biking Tour Exploring the Best of Kyoto (From $116.38)
- Hotels near Tofuku-ji Temple:
- (0.79 mi) Piece Hostel Kyoto
- (0.83 mi) MIMARU KYOTO STATION
- (0.29 mi) Rinn Tofukuji Riverside
- (0.80 mi) Hyatt Regency Kyoto
- (0.78 mi) Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto
- Restaurants near Tofuku-ji Temple:
- (0.14 mi) Cafe Kasei
- (0.31 mi) DRAGON BURGER Tofukuji
- (0.20 mi) Shinbo
- (0.65 mi) Wagyu Sushi Roll
- (0.22 mi) Kyoryori Takasawa
- Attractions near Tofuku-ji Temple:
- (0.07 mi) Ryogin-an Temple
- (0.18 mi) Atelier Sushi
- (0.11 mi) Fundain Sesshuji
- (0.08 mi) Ikkain
- (0.08 mi) Tentokuin
Tofuku-ji Temple Information
Excellent Reviews | 1,008 |
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Very Good Reviews | 660 |
Tofuku-ji Temple Photos | 3,232 |