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Temple closing times 2020/9/30 01:38
Hi, I want to ask some informations about the closing time of temples in Japan. I'll give you an example. In the tread about the Chusonji temple (here on Japan Guide) it says: "Hours 8:30 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from November 4 through February); admission ends 10 minutes before closing time.".
So if I enter at 4.50pm, do I have time to visit the temple or does it close at 5pm and I have to leave?
How does it works in Japan in similar situations for temples and museums?
Thank you
by ZioNick  

Re: Temple closing times 2020/9/30 11:09
You need to leave at closing time, yes. You don't get to stay longer just because you came late. The last admission times is to give people enough time to make a quick visit (e.g. in ten minutes, they are probably expecting a quick prayer).
by / (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Temple closing times 2020/9/30 15:32
Yes, closing time is the time when it closes, irrespective of when you entered. And donft hope for clemency. You will be escorted out, friendly, but decidedly.
by LikeBike rate this post as useful

Re: Temple closing times 2020/9/30 16:02
For some of the larger and more famous temples - they even have last entry time as well.
by mfedley rate this post as useful

Re: Temple closing times 2020/9/30 16:13
Hello! Thanks to everyone for your replies! ^^
by ZioNick rate this post as useful

Re: Temple closing times 2020/10/1 06:53
Just to make things a bit more complicated:
As noted there is a final entry time and some temples/shrines have this information on useful sites like Japan-Guide for the differences between summer and winter hours. But, other handy sources like Google do not always have correct information and just list the summer hours. I got caught with that a couple of years back in Kyoto having "checked" opening and last entry times. When they move forward an hour, it curtails the end of the day quite a bit in places.
Also note, of course, some places don't have closing times and are open 24/7.
by JapanCustomTours rate this post as useful

Re: Temple closing times 2020/10/1 06:57
I have made so many bad experiences with the opening times on Google being inaccurate (before corona) that I am not trusting them anymore.
by Uji rate this post as useful

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