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
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, the temple can be reached by Hankyu Bus #66 in 30 minutes and for 390 yen one way. There is one bus only every two hours.
From early January through February, the buses operate only as far as Oshio () near Jurinji Temple, from where it is 1.5 kilometers (or a 20-30 minutes walk) to Yoshiminedera.
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
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SponsoredJapanese hotel, Ryokan NishiyamaExperience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto.View siteSponsored -
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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
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Top rated in Kyoto
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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Mitsuki KyotoOffering a bar and garden view, Mitsuki Kyoto is set in Kyoto, 1.1 km from Nijo Castle and 1.8 km from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. Featuring a garden, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 1.4 km from the city centre and 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a tatami. A fridge and kettle are also featured. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. Kyoto Imperial Palace is 2.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Heian Shrine is 2.3 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Yado KiramachiYado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Yuraku Kyo-yasakaLocated in Kyoto, within less than 1 km of Gion Shijo Station and a 16-minute walk of Samurai Kembu Kyoto, Hotel Yuraku Kyo-yasaka provides accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Featuring massage services, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around less than 1 km from Shoren-in Temple and around 1.9 km from Heian Shrine. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Guests at Hotel Yuraku Kyo-yasaka can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Speaking both English and Japanese, staff at the reception can help you plan your stay. Sanjusangen-do Temple is 2.3 km from the accommodation, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 2.6 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Kyo-Anthu InnLocated in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is also a well-fitted kitchenette in some of the units equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel MusoWell located in the centre of Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.8 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 2.7 km from Kyoto Station. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room has a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. Popular points of interest near Hotel Muso include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 45 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kyoto Ryokan Gion SanoLocated in the beautiful Gion area and just a 15-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano is a 4-storey reinforced concrete building. It offers traditional Japanese-style rooms with free WiFi. Rooms on the top floor boasts city views of Kyoto and Higashiyama district. Popular Nishiki Market can be reached within a 20-minute walk. The hotel is 600 metres from Kennin-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Chion-in Temple. JR Kyoto Train Station is about a 10-minute drive away, and Gion-Shijo Train Station is a 10-minute walk. Guests at Gion Sano Kyoto Ryokan sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor and can enjoy the en suite bath. Each room comes with an LCD TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea. Guests can try on yukata robes, while enjoying in-room amenities like bottled water, instant soup, coffee and mini sweets. Special toiletries are provided for both male and female guests. Guests can leave their luggage at the front desk for free before they check in, or request to use a laundry machine and clothes dryer for free. Complimentary fruits and coffee is provided upon arrival. No meals are served.View on Booking.com -
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Toshiharu RyokanBuilt in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.View on Booking.com
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Kyoto Restaurants
Recommended in Kyoto
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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.View on JapanEatinerary -
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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 -
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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 -
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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
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Experiences around Kyoto
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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
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Top rated in Kyoto
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Kyoto Kimono Rental Momoka: Japanese-style Make-up/PhotographyBasic 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 -
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Matcha Ceremony Experience in KyotoYou can enjoy watching the tea ceremony by the teacher and experience the tea ceremony. Comes with matcha and Japanese sweets!View on Klook -
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Handmade Workshop Experience in KyotoA townhouse with a nostalgic atmosphere. Feel free to visit the museum inside the store.View on Klook -
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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 -
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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 -
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Samurai Experience & Kenbu Show in KyotoShort time cultural experience with lesson & showView on Klook -
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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 -
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Zen & SecretsSaga-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 -
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Maiko and a Samurai Makeover Experience for CoupleChange into a beautiful Maiko and a cool SamuraView on Klook
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