Gio-ji Temple
Gio-ji Temple is a small moss garden temple in the hills above Arashiyama, 20 minutes uphill from the famous bamboo grove but removed from crowds. Seventeen varieties of moss cover the ground under towering maples; the main structure is a modest thatched hut. The quiet makes it possible to absorb what you're looking at. Both ages respond to the sense of discovering something real rather than visiting a curated site.
- Hours
- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, last admission at 4:30 PM
- Price
- 300 yen adults, 100 yen elementary to high school students
- Duration
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Booking required
- No
Tips
- Build it into an Arashiyama afternoon: bamboo grove early morning, then walk up to Gio-ji mid-afternoon when it's quietest.
- The steep sections on the approach require comfortable walking shoes — not sandals.
- The entrance fee is small (300 yen adults, 100 yen students); bring cash.