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Ginkakuji Temple vs Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Ginkaku-ji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple are both praised by professional travelers. On balance, Kiyomizu-dera Temple ranks slightly higher than Ginkaku-ji Temple. Kiyomizu-dera Temple comes in at #1 in Kyoto with endorsements from 6 publications including Fodor's, Time Out and Atlas Obscura.
Ginkakuji Temple
Fodor's
Concierge
Michelin Guide
Frommer's
2 Ginkakuji-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8402
From $0 /night
Fodor's
"The Temple of the Silver Pavilion... is an exercise in elegance and restraint."
Full review
Concierge
"Breathtakingly modern though half a millennium old, its sculpted sand garden would transport anyone into a Zen state (if not for the crowds)."
Michelin Guide
3 Stars
" It is cited as an example of "East Mountain" culture, combining aesthetic concepts related to the Zen philosophy with a hint of wabi-sabi (refined simplicity). The garden is magnificent."
Full review
Frommer's
"Ginkakuji, considered one of the more beautiful structures in Kyoto, was built in 1482 as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa."
Full review
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Fodor's
Atlas Obscura
Michelin Guide
Time Out
U.S. News & World Report
Show All Reviews
Mt. Otowa, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
From $0 /night
Fodor's
"Pilgrims have climbed Higashiyama's cobblestone streets lined with tea shops and craft vendors to this gorgeous mountainside temple for centuries."
Full review
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Take off your shoes before descending the stairway for a metaphoric journey into the soul
Atlas Obscura
"A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child. "
Full review
Michelin Guide
3 Stars
"Dedicated to merciful Kannon, Kiyomizu-dera dates back to the 8C, although the current buildings date from the 17C."
Full review
Time Out
"If you only visit one temple in Kyoto, make it this World Heritage behemoth."
Full review
U.S. News & World Report
2.0
"Situated on Otowa Mountain in eastern Kyoto, Kiyomizu Temple wows travelers with its stunning natural scenery, which visitors say is best viewed from the verandah off the temple's main building"
Full review
