Gio-ji Temple
Gio-ji Temple
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto is home to some of the city's best eccentricities. Kyoto's Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period, where old homes have been transformed into tea houses and eateries. Pleasure boats drift down the riverbank, under wooden bridges that beckon nature lovers to hiking trails and botanical walks. The area's famously tall bamboo groves, monkey park, and impressive vistas during the Hanami cherry blossom viewing season mean that it is busiest in warmer months, though also gorgeous in the fall, when the mountains and hills along the banks turn multi-colored. Historic and engaging, even the rail cars in Western Kyoto seek to exemplify its traditional nature and scenic beauty. Many people, including natives, come to visit the 1,200 rakan statues at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, which is still in use as a religious site.
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
417 reviews
Excellent
230
Very good
145
Average
33
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Mark Harris
Melbourne, Australia90 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Stunning! Although the garden can be walked through in 5 minutes, you could comfortably spend up to 15 minutes here soaking it in. The ultimate moss sanctuary. Only 15 minutes walk from the Bamboo Grove.
Two bonuses are 1: Tourists don't seem to know about this place, so it's fairly quiet 2: The walk there has lots of unique shops and restaurants (cash only).
Two bonuses are 1: Tourists don't seem to know about this place, so it's fairly quiet 2: The walk there has lots of unique shops and restaurants (cash only).
Written 16 November 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.
Chris P
Troy444 contributions
July 2023
Easy stop if you go to the bamboo forest. If you do go it is a cash only entrance fee. The grounds are pretty. It is a small temple
Written 5 July 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.
Cheryl B
Honolulu, HI407 contributions
Apr 2023
Thereʻs nothing like moss gardens in Kyoto. When we were there a person was gently raking the fallen leaves. It was a peaceful place to be (until the person with the lawn blower down the hill started;). Definitely worth a visit.
Written 9 May 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.
Oscar Tegni
Stockholm, Sweden34 contributions
Jan 2021
About 15-20min from the Bamboo walk, so its a bit secluded. Its beautiful and calm compared to the more touristy areas nearby. So a nice place to visit for not much time investment.
Written 26 October 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.
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada794 contributions
Dec 2019
There are so many temples in Kyoto to view and one has to be selective especially if you have to pay an admission fee. We elected to visit the Gio-ji temple and we were not disappointed. This is one of the prettiest temple grounds in Kyoto. It is quite small and intimate, so peaceful and serene. As you walk through this small garden area, the trees, rocks, bamboo and of course, the moss area flow and mesh seamlessly together and one is completely entranced with this enchanting experience. There is a small hut which has some floral displays. This hut and likewise all the ornaments and ground decoration completes the temple's enchanting setting.
Written 30 July 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.
Carolyne T
Tannum Sands, Australia218 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Just beautiful. So we went here. If you love gardens you will really appreciate this temple. We went in mid December and there were still lots of autumn leaves.
Written 17 January 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.
Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan15,193 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Gio-ji is an old temple in Sagano area. The name of temple comes from a lover of Tairano Kiyomori, a ruler in Heian Period. She was later discarded by him, and passed a retired life in this place. The moss in the garden is really beautiful. It is worth visiting.
Written 6 January 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.
Poon P
227 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
Small yet really really beautiful in autumn. The autumn leaves against green moss was worth the ticket price. Less crowded and more able to enjoy the feel of temple and autumn. Worth to drop by if u are in arashimaya.
Written 8 December 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.
betterdigitalmag
Sydney, Australia24 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a small, incredibly lush garden located a good distance from the JR station, against the hills of western Areshiyama. My suggestion is to take a taxi from the station to Gio-ji, then walk back in the direction of the bamboo grove. Because this tiny garden and shrine is off the regular tourist route, it is very peaceful - there were only 20 or so visitors there when I visited in November and about the same in May. Entrance is only yen300 - in the autumn the colours are spectacular. Well worth the side trip for the peace and quiet.
Written 4 December 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.
Abirder_12
San Francisco, CA16 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Located away from the craziness of the Arashiyama neighborhood is a small temple that one can walk around in one minute...or spend a lifetime there. This small temple near the Bamboo Forest, is focused on the moss garden. It is quiet and beautiful. In a word, I found it sublime.
Written 20 November 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.
We would Like to visit Gio -Ji in mid February, can someone advise if it is open. We understand that Saiho-ji is closed at this time, so would like to make sure this and the Bamboo Forest is open?
Written 12 January 2020
How do I book a ticket for Gio Ji visit visit in October?
Written 19 August 2017
You don't need to book tickets in advance to come here, you just show up and pay in person at the entrance gate.
Written 20 August 2017
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