Kyoto Ryoanji at a glance
Kyoto Ryoanji temple lies about 18 minutes on foot from Kinkaku-ji on the Kinukake-no-michi, the road that links Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji. The main sight is the rock garden south of the hojo, the abbot's hall, where 15 stones sit in white raked sand.
The temple was founded in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto, not by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the builder of Kinkaku-ji. Beyond the rock garden, the grounds hold a large pond, the Kyoyochi.
The rock garden
The garden lies on the south side of the hojo. It is a rectangle of white sand about 30 m from east to west and more than 10 m from north to south. Fifteen stones are set in five groups of 5, 2, 3, 2 and 3.
Take your time here. Look at how the five groups relate to each other and to the open sand around them. It is part of a working temple, so keep your voice low and leave room for other visitors.
Ryoan-ji is easy to add to a Kinkaku-ji visit on your own, but one small-group tour combines both. See the selection below, or compare all options on our Kinkaku-ji tours page.
Our pick: a coach tour with Ryoan-ji admission
The rock garden of Ryoan-ji is on the route, and admission to Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji is in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours with Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji
A small-group taxi tour with Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and the monkey park, plus guided Kinkaku-ji visits, with live prices and availability.
Ryoan-ji entry fee and opening hours
Fees and hours as of 2026. Ryoan-ji sets its own prices, so check at the gate before you plan your budget to the yen.
| Ryoan-ji | Kinkaku-ji | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | ¥600 | ¥500 (incl. high school students) |
| High school students | ¥500 | ¥500 |
| Elementary and junior high | ¥300 | ¥300 |
| March to November | 8:00 to 17:00 | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| December to February | 8:30 to 16:30 | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Regular closing days | None | None |
For most visitors the simplest plan is Kinkaku-ji at 9:00 when it opens, then the walk to Ryoan-ji. Both visits together cost ¥1,100 for an adult (as of 2026). Details for Kinkaku-ji are on our entry fee and opening hours page.
The Kinukake-no-michi: walking from Kinkaku-ji
The Kinukake-no-michi runs for about 2.5 km from Kinkaku-ji past Ryoan-ji to Ninna-ji. On foot, Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji takes about 18 minutes, and Ryoan-ji to Ninna-ji about 11 minutes more. Those are walking times only. Add time for each temple, breaks and the paths inside the grounds.
The walk turns three temples into an easy half-day route. From Ninna-ji you can take the Randen tram at Omuro-Ninnaji towards Arashiyama. See our pages on Ninna-ji and on combining Kinkakuji and Arashiyama.
By bus
On 21 to 23 and 28 to 29 November 2026, seasonal bus 109 runs from Kitaoji via Kinkakuji-michi, Ryoanji-mae and Omuro Ninnaji to Arashiyama, about once an hour between 8:00 and 16:00. It is not a year-round line. A regular city bus ride costs ¥230 for adults (as of 2026).
The Kyoyochi pond and the grounds
The Kyoyochi is a large pond within the temple grounds. Water lilies bloom here from May to July.
If you want to start your day at Ryoan-ji, note that it opens at 8:00 from March to November, an hour before Kinkaku-ji. In winter it opens at 8:30 and closes at 16:30, so plan the afternoon accordingly.
A half-day plan: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji
Walking times and fees as of 2026. Times at each temple are suggestions; stay longer where you like it.
Kinkaku-ji at opening time
Arrive for 9:00 and walk the garden around the Kyoko-chi. Plan on about 40 minutes for the visit. Entry ¥500 for adults.
Walk to Ryoan-ji
About 18 minutes on the Kinukake-no-michi. Give the rock garden and the Kyoyochi pond at least as long as Kinkaku-ji. Entry ¥600 for adults.
On to Ninna-ji
About 11 minutes more on foot. Outside cherry blossom season the main grounds are free; the Goten garden costs ¥800 for adults. Hours March to November 9:00 to 17:00.
Randen to Arashiyama
From Omuro-Ninnaji the Randen tram heads towards Arashiyama for a flat fare of ¥250 for adults, with a change at Katabiranotsuji.
If you prefer someone else to handle the transfers, the small-group tour in the list above links Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji by taxi and adds the Arashiyama monkey park. Most Kyoto day tours do not stop at Ryoan-ji, so check the itinerary before you book.
Evening special viewing in autumn 2026
In autumn 2026 there are special evening viewings at Ryoan-ji on Saturdays and Sundays from 26 September to 29 November, 16:00 to 18:30. Places are limited to 20 people, open to visitors of junior high school age and older, and must be reserved by 16:00 the day before. The fee is ¥5,000, or ¥5,500 with a special goshuin, paid in cash on site. This is a one-off seasonal programme, not regular evening opening.
For the best seasons to visit the area, including autumn leaves at Kinkaku-ji, see our best time to visit page.
Ryoan-ji: frequently asked questions
How many stones are in the Ryoan-ji rock garden?
Fifteen, set in groups of 5, 2, 3, 2 and 3 on white sand. The garden measures about 30 m from east to west and more than 10 m from north to south.
How much is the Ryoan-ji entry fee?
As of 2026, ¥600 for adults, ¥500 for high school students and ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students. Check the current fee at the gate.
How far is Ryoan-ji from Kinkaku-ji?
About 18 minutes on foot along the Kinukake-no-michi. From Ryoan-ji it is about 11 minutes more to Ninna-ji.
Who founded Ryoan-ji?
Hosokawa Katsumoto founded the temple in 1450. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who built Kinkaku-ji, was not its founder.
What time does Ryoan-ji open?
From March to November 8:00 to 17:00, from December to February 8:30 to 16:30, with no regular closing days (as of 2026).