Yoshiminedera (P) is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism located in Kyoto's western mountains. Similar to Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of town, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountain side and looks out onto Kyoto. The temple grounds are spacious, and there are many buildings distributed up the mountain side.
A priest from Enryakuji, named Gesan, established Yoshiminedera as a personal retreat in 1029. In 1467 the temple was destroyed in the Onin War but was rebuilt in 1621. The temple's main objects of worship are a Kannon statue carved by Gesan and a Kannon statue given to the temple by Emperor Gosuzaku in 1042.
Yoshiminedera's main building, the Hondo, is located just after the Sanmon, the temple's main entrance gate. Beside the Hondo stands a treasure house, where some of the temple's artifacts are on display. Paths lead up the mountainside from these buildings with numerous smaller temple structures along the way. The views onto the city below are quite impressive.
In addition to the buildings, the temple has a few revered trees. One of these is a unique 600 year old pine tree that is only 2 meters tall but 40 meters wide. The temple area is particularly beautiful in combination with the changing colors of the fall season, which attract considerable crowds and are usually best in the second half of November.
Getting there and around
Hankyu Bus stopped providing public transportation to Yoshiminedera in May 2025, and it is now difficult to access the temple without a car.
Take either the JR Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Mukomachi Station (7 minutes, 200 yen) or the Hankyu Kyoto Line from central Kyoto to Higashimuko Station (20 minutes, 240 yen). From either station, take Hankyu Bus #63 to Haigata (D, 15 minutes, 290 yen one way, every 2 hours), from where it is about 3.5 kilometers or a 45-60 minute walk to the temple.
Alternatively a taxi ride from either station to the temple takes about 20 minutes and costs around 3000-3500 yen one way.
How to get to and around Kyoto
Hours and Fees
Hours
8:30 to 17:00 (from 8:00 on weekends and public holidays)
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing.
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing.
Closed
No closing days
Admission
500 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Kyoto
-
-
![]()
SponsoredNISHIYAMA RYOKAN Established in 1953Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto.View siteSponsored -
![]()
SponsoredRyokan HirashinA traditional hotel with spacious rooms and high speed Wi-Fi. Conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto city. 3min to Shijo Karasuma Sta. and 5min to the famous Nishiki Market.View siteSponsored -
![]()
Sponsored
-
Top rated in Kyoto
Budget:
-
-
![]()
Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Mitsuki KyotoView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Mitsuki Kyoto in Kyoto offers a 3-star ryokan experience with air-conditioned rooms featuring private bathrooms, baths, and garden views. Each room includes a tea and coffee maker, refrigerator, and free toiletries.Exceptional Facilities
Guests enjoy a serene garden, a cosy bar, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a coffee machine, ground-floor units with inner courtyard views, and a quiet street setting. Private check-in and check-out, concierge service, and daily housekeeping ensure a comfortable stay. Breakfast is served in-room with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, featuring local specialities. The ryokan provides a welcoming host, highly rated for its breakfast and garden. Itami Airport is 46 km away. -
![]()
AzukiyaView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Azukiya in Kyoto offers family rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and garden views. Each room includes a tea and coffee maker, refrigerator, and free toiletries.Exceptional Facilities
Guests enjoy a garden, hot tub, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a shared kitchen, laundry service, and bicycle parking.Delicious Breakfast
A variety of breakfast options are available, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free. Breakfast is served in the room, ensuring a pleasant start to the day.Convenient Location
Located 47 km from Itami Airport, Azukiya is situated on a quiet street. Nearby attractions include the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. -
![]()
Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASSLocated in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Ryokan ToriRyokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Gallery Nozawa InnGallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Kyo-Anthu InnView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Kyo-Anthu Inn in Kyoto offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and soundproofing for a pleasant stay.Relaxing Facilities
Guests can enjoy a serene garden and a comfortable breakfast in the room with continental options featuring fresh fruits. The property provides full-day security and a quiet street view.Convenient Location
Located 44 km from Itami Airport, the guest house is highly rated for its friendly host, family-friendly environment, and convenient location. Reception staff speak English and Japanese. -
![]()
Hotel MusoView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Hotel Muso in Kyoto offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a tea and coffee maker, free toiletries, and a work desk.Essential Facilities
Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lift, hot tub, concierge service, and daily housekeeping. Additional services include express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, and breakfast in the room.Prime Location
Situated in the city centre, the hotel is 45 km from Itami Airport. Nearby attractions include Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Gion District. Guests appreciate the convenient location and excellent service. -
![]()
Miru Kyoto GionView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Miru Kyoto Gion in Kyoto offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a tea and coffee maker, bidet, hairdryer, and free toiletries.Essential Facilities
Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lift, 24-hour front desk, full-day security, and luggage storage. Additional features include a bath, ground-floor unit, tatami floor, and sofa.Convenient Location
Located 47 km from Itami Airport, the hotel is highly rated for its attentive staff, convenient location, and comfortable rooms. -
![]()
Hotel Gion IchirinView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Hotel Gion Ichirin in Kyoto offers adults-only rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a bath, tea and coffee maker, and free toiletries.Relaxing Facilities
Guests can enjoy spa facilities, a sauna, and a private open-air bath. Additional amenities include bathrobes, a coffee machine, and a wine or champagne.Convenient Location
Located 46 km from Itami Airport, the hotel is highly rated for its convenient location and excellent service. Reception staff speak English, Japanese, and Chinese.
-
Kyoto Restaurants
Recommended in Kyoto
-
-
![]()
Sushi HayashiAwarded One Star in 2024 - A unique sushi restaurant that blends traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi with Kyoto-style sushi, such as mackerel sushi and steamed sushi, in its courses. The head chef, who trained as a sushi artisan in Switzerland, carefully selects Swiss wines, making them a perfect pairing to enjoy with the meal.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Noguchi TsunaguAwarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chef’s hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Kamoryori TabuchiWithin a historic wooden house over 100 years old, savor exquisite dishes crafted with the finest premium brand duck, Kawachi Duck. Raised on feed free from pesticides and delivered fresh every morning, Kawachi Duck is so fresh it can even be enjoyed raw. Indulge in a superb multi-course duck cuisine experience that only a specialty restaurant can offer.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Enyuan KobayashiAwarded One Star in 2024 - Under the skillful craftsmanship of a master chef trained at renowned establishments, this restaurant offers tempura that highlights seasonal ingredients, including richly sweet tiger prawns and their signature sea urchin wrapped in seaweed. Mid-course, the menu also features exquisite simmered dishes and sashimi.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Sushi RakumiAwarded One Star in 2024 - You can savor a creative omakase course that combines refined Japanese cuisine with Edomae sushi, crafted by a highly skilled chef who trained at Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments that have earned three stars. Ingredients are primarily sourced from Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal, high-quality ingredients also procured from Tokyo's Toyosu Market and Yaizu Market in Shizuoka.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Kanamean NishitomiyaAwarded One Star in 2024 - Sophisticated kaiseki cuisine experienced at a ryokan. Combining tuna with caviar or pairing soba noodles with truffles, the dishes showcase a creative approach that explores unique combinations and flavors. The only establishment in Kyoto affiliated with Relais & Chateaux, where the owner and proprietress draw on their experiences gained abroad to collaborate with chefs in crafting the menu.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
VenaAwarded One Star in 2024 - A restaurant founded by a chef and sommelier born and raised in Kyoto, built on the concept of carefully selected seasonal ingredients and aged Italian wines. In an elegant space adorned with Scandinavian vintage furniture, guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients unique to each time of year. Awarded One Star in 2024.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
Torisho SaiA newly spotlighted restaurant opened in 2024, part of the group of Yakitori Ichimatsu, one of Japan's most renowned yakitori establishments. Housed in a stylishly renovated traditional Japanese home, the restaurant serves yakitori made with Akita’s "Hinai Jidori," one of Japan’s top three premium chicken breeds, aged for about three days to enhance its flavor.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
NakatsukaAwarded One Star in 2024 - A one-of-a-kind restaurant where you can enjoy innovative cuisine crafted by the highly skilled Chef Mr. Nakatsuka, who honed his expertise at domestic and international three-star and two-star establishments. The restaurant is themed around "aroma" and features an open kitchen, designed to share the scents of the cooking process with its guests.View on JapanEatinerary -
![]()
MiyawakiA restaurant with a unique concept of offering traditional Kyoto cuisine in Tokyo, blending authentic techniques with innovative approaches. It is also known for attracting numerous prominent figures from various fields, including renowned Japanese music producers and soccer players.View on JapanEatinerary
-
Experiences around Kyoto
-
-
![]()
SponsoredKiyomizu Ware Pottery Experience at a Century-Old Kiln in KyotoBased in Kyoto, the reputable Shoukoku Kiln, which was established more than 100 years ago, creates exquisite ceramic tableware that high-end ryotei restaurants use for kappo fine-dining cuisine. At this prestigious kiln that preserves tradition while constantly seeking innovation, discover the secrets to long-lasting, high-quality ceramics as you hand-build or paint pottery under the guidance of a skilled artisan who has mastered the art of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki ceramic ware.View experienceSponsored -
![]()
SponsoredLearn the Art of Karesansui Dry-Garden Raking from a Kyoto MasterKyotofs Sagano-Arashiyama district is an iconic landmark, beloved by visitors from all over Japan and the world for its harmony of rich natural scenery and historic architecture. Here, the cultural property garden restoration and maintenance organization Sone Zoen – responsible for designing and managing the gardens of famous shrines and temples across Kyoto – runs the gHoganh facility, which offers visitors the chance to experience authentic Zen sand raking in a traditional Japanese house and garden. Find inner tranquility as you contemplate the gardenfs beauty, before experiencing the spirit of Zen and the historic tradition of karesansui dry gardening through sand-raking with a master.View experienceSponsored -
![]()
SponsoredMaiko Tea and Entertainment with Behind-the-Scenes Insights at Kyotofs Oldest Geisha DistrictGain valuable insights into Kyotofs historic geisha culture at Umeno, a traditional ochaya banquet house in Kamishichiken, the oldest of Kyotofs five geisha districts. Although ochaya generally turn away new customers, Umenofs proprietress-to-be invites you to watch a maikofs (apprentice geisha) elegant dance and learn about her culture. Then, chat with them over sweets and matcha tea personally prepared by the maiko. After trying a traditional party game and snapping some pictures, hear about Umenofs sustainable practices and enter the dressing room used by its maiko, an extremely rare chance to go behind the scenes.View experienceSponsored -
![]()
SponsoredTea Plantation Tour and Organic Green Tea Tasting in the Birthplace of Japanese Green Tea, KyotoFounded in 1658 in the Kyoto town of Ujitawara – the birthplace of Japanese green tea – the Kaki-i plantation grows tea completely without the use of pesticides. In this experience, visitors can join the 21st generation head of the plantation to tour its fields and see historical sites associated with Soen Nagatani, who first developed the Japanese green tea enjoyed around the world today. If your seasonal timing is right, you can also observe the tea harvest or the processing of the leaf. Finally, enjoy a comparative tasting of 3 to 4 of Kaki-ifs organic teas in a 150-year-old traditional Japanese home, and learn how best to enjoy each.View experienceSponsored -
![]()
SponsoredPrivate Stay at World Heritage Site Ninna-ji With Special Tour and Bewitching Light-UpExperience Ninna-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep links to the imperial family, like no other through an overnight stay inside the grounds. During a special private tour led by one of its monks, enter some of the oldest surviving temple buildings in all of Japan, such as the Great Hall (a National Treasure), which is normally closed to the public. Then, the grounds are yours for the night - after the sun sets, explore the lit-up grounds and take advantage of the lovingly curated accommodation, a former temple samurai residence (dinner also available as an optional add-on). Finally, refresh yourself by joining the monksf morning service and Dharma sermon, as well as drawing rock patterns.View experienceSponsored
-
Top rated in Kyoto
-
-
![]()
Kyoto 100% Pure Silk Kimono ExperienceBasic okomon kimono plan: [Included in the fee]: Only okomon kimono and half-width obi are included [Excluded from the fee]: Small bag, tabi socks, rental sandals, muscle wear, and corrections are not includedView on Klook -
![]()
Matcha Tea Ceremony Experience (Kyoto)You can enjoy watching the tea ceremony by the teacher and experience the tea ceremony. Comes with matcha and Japanese sweets!View on Klook -
![]()
Private Kyoto Gion Highlights & Hidden Gems Tour with Local GuideExperience the best of Gionfs nightlife scene with a local insider to guide youView on Klook -
![]()
Ultimate Kyoto Arashiyama Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Zen Gardens & GemsSaga-Arashiyama Station: Meet at the Saga-Arashiyama Station, where you can take a few minutes to explore the surrounding area and get acquainted with your group.View on Klook -
![]()
Kyoto City Highlights & Hidden Gems Private Custom Tour with a LocalGet to know the real Kyoto with your host (a city local) and avoid the tourist traps, whilst still seeing the highlights!View on Klook -
![]()
-
![]()
Kyoto 4 Hour Low-Down Private Walking TourSee a tailor-made selection of sites, picked by your local guide, that show every side of KyotoView on Klook -
![]()
Maiko and a Samurai Makeover Experience for CoupleChange into a beautiful Maiko and a cool SamuraView on Klook -
![]()
World Heritage Shirakawago and Takayama Private Tour from NagoyaLearn about the history of Japanese traditional buildings at your leisure.View on Klook -
![]()
Kyoto Premium Kimono Rental and Photoshooting by Kimono Fusengawa**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Furisode. See What to Expect for more detailsView on Klook
-
