Kyoto in February: When Temple Gates Close and Hours Change

We operate the Maiko & Zen Kyoto experience mentioned in this guide.

February in Kyoto: Short Days Before the Spring Switch

In February, the big Kyoto temples are still on their winter timetables, so closing times shape a day more than anything else does. A few of them change their hours on March 1, which means a visit in the last week of February can differ from one in the first week of March.

This guide sorts the temples into those that change on March 1 and those that stay on winter hours for another month, then covers local transport, a day planned around closing times, and a half day south of Kyoto Station. Confirm every time on the temple's own page before you go, because schedules can change from year to year. If you are planning more than a month, our Kyoto itinerary guide puts several days in order.

Hours That Change on March 1

Three temples switch timetables at the turn of the month. Ginkaku-ji is open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm through the end of February, then from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm starting March 1. Ryoan-ji follows the same calendar, with hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm until the end of February and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from March 1. Its gates close at 5:00 pm in winter and at 5:30 pm after the change.

Sennyu-ji keeps its winter hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from December to February, with the gate closing at 4:30 pm. In March, it is open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Both Ginkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji are open every day, so a February trip to either one does not depend on a weekday.

Kinkaku-ji and Other Hours That Stay on the Winter Timetable

Other places hold their winter schedules for another month. At Tofuku-ji, the winter hours run from December 7 to March 31: the temple is open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, ticket sales end at 3:30 pm, and the gate closes at 4:00 pm. Sanjusangendo is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm between November 16 and March 31, and the last entry is 30 minutes before closing. It is open every day of the year.

Kinkaku-ji is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, so it works well as the last stop of a short day. Kiyomizu-dera is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm for most of the year. Nijo-jo Castle opens at 8:45 am, the last entry is at 4:00 pm, and the castle closes at 5:00 pm.

Buses, Subway, and Passes

Plan your short days with the cost of getting around in mind. A single ride on a Kyoto City Bus costs 230 yen for adults, and a Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass costs 1,100 yen. Seasonal routes, such as Kyoto Bus routes 51, 90, and 95, are not included in the pass area.

A change to the bus fare is planned for FY2027, with a flat fare of about 350 to 400 yen for non-residents, subject to national approval. If you travel in spring, check the city's transportation page for what applies on your dates.

A Day Built Around Closing Times

With gates shutting between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm, it helps to work backward from the closing time of your most important stop. Choose the place you most want to see and plan to arrive near its opening time, then fit a second stop into the afternoon.

For a day in the east of the city, start at Kiyomizu-dera, which opens at 6:00 am, then go on to Sanjusangendo before it closes at 4:00 pm. For a day in the north, see Ryoan-ji first and finish at Kinkaku-ji, which stays open until 5:00 pm. From Kyoto Station, Sanjusangendo is about 18 minutes on foot, and City Bus 106 runs year-round.

Half a Day South of Kyoto Station

One rail line links the southern stops. On the JR Nara Line, Tofukuji Station is about 3 minutes from Kyoto Station, and Inari Station is the next stop, about 2 to 3 minutes by local train. Fushimi Inari Taisha is right next to JR Inari Station, so you can fit both into one half day. Our Fushimi Inari hike guide covers the walk up the mountain.

From Tofukuji Station, Tofuku-ji is about 10 minutes on foot. At Tofuku-ji, Mirei Shigemori designed the Hojo gardens in 1939, and the Sanmon gate is a National Treasure. At the spring Nehan-e, a large Nehan-zu painting by Mincho is shown in the main hall. Read more in our Tofuku-ji guide.

Our Session at Ikka-in

We operate Maiko & Zen Kyoto, a session at Ikka-in, a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji that is rarely open to the public. If a small group, time to talk with a maiko, English support, and photos together matter to you, this is the kind of session that suits you: the maiko dances in the same temple hall as you, with no stage between you, and then answers your questions.

The session lasts 90 minutes and starts at 2:00 pm or 3:30 pm. It is run as a shared small group with an English-speaking guide, sencha, and a sweet, and the price is 23,000 yen per person. For a half-day plan in winter, walk through Fushimi Inari in the morning, ride one stop to Tofukuji Station, and see Tofuku-ji before the 2:00 pm session, because ticket sales there end at 3:30 pm.

What to Wear and Carry on Cold Temple Days

Temple days mean a lot of standing and walking outdoors, so dress in layers you can add or remove. Gloves and a small umbrella or light rain jacket are worth carrying, and since you will often walk past a moss garden or along a wooden corridor, comfortable shoes that slip off quickly make it easy to enter halls where you may be asked to remove them.

Tofuku-ji asks visitors not to eat or drink on the grounds or use tripods, and you cannot re-enter once you leave. Eat before you arrive and carry water in a small bag.

Add a quiet temple stop to your day. We operate Maiko & Zen Kyoto, a 90-minute session at Ikka-in, a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji, where a maiko dances in the same temple hall with no stage between you, then takes time for your questions and photos. See current session times and prices.

Frequently asked questions