Ninna-ji
仁和寺
A royal temple founded in 888 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its late-blooming, low Omuro cherry trees and five-story pagoda. It is located west of Kinkaku-ji.
Ninna-ji was founded in 888 by Emperor Uda. Its abbots were traditionally drawn from the imperial family, earning it the name “Omuro Goshō.” Highlights include the tall Niō gate, the five-story pagoda from the Edo period, the National Treasure Kondō hall, which was moved here from the imperial palace's Shishinden, and the white gravel gardens and shinden (palace hall) of the Goten palace. About 200 Omuro cherry trees on the grounds are short and bloom late. In mid-April, when they are in full bloom, they are nearly the same height as people, marking the grand finale of Kyoto's cherry blossom season. Most areas of the temple are free to enter. The Goten costs about 800 yen, and a separate entrance fee applies during cherry blossom season. Getting there: it is about a 3-minute walk from Omuro-Ninnaji Station on the Randen tram. You can combine it with Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji for the classic Kinugasa-Omuro route, or continue on the Randen to Arashiyama.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00 (until 16:30 Dec–Feb; last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Nearby sights
- Ryoan-ji
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kitano Tenmangu
- Daitoku-ji
- Sagano Romantic Train
- Nijo Castle
- Togetsukyo Bridge
- Tenryu-ji