What other travelers are saying about Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
This is a popular tourist spot in Kyoto that you "must visit". I came early in the morning to avoid the crowds during the day, and I'm glad I did. It was nice to be able to look around at my own pace. The temple decorated with gold is unique, but it didn't feel particularly special or mysterious. It felt more like a typical tourist attraction that many people visit. It's worth visiting once, but I'm not sure if it's worth visiting twice. However, I recommend walking around the temple grounds as if you were taking a walk in the surrounding area. The scenery is beautiful and the garden is well maintained. I recommend enjoying the surrounding scenery rather than the temple itself.
This is a beautiful temple with wonderful grounds. It is another UNESCO site in Kyoto, and it's a must-see attraction. The grounds are very well maintained, and walking around the grounds gives you several excellent camera angles of the Golden building. It gets super crowded, so try to get there early in the morning (plus the light is better for photos.
It's an isolated zen temple in the middle of a pond but the pavilion itself is inaccessible. It makes for some nice shots but that's about it. I found the autumn foliage much more interesting. The place gets pretty crowded with tourist in the afternoon so manage your time wisely. If you're limited on time, I'd say give it a skip and spent your time elsewhere.
Apart from the beautiful gold leaf covering the temple, the grounds around it are just as stunning. It feels like your not in a busy city anymore but rather far out in the forest.
We also enjoyed some green tea and sweets in the small tea house, offering a small escape from the busy paths around the temple
Beautiful gleaming temple with a circular route for visitors. The entrance fee is 500 yen per person and can only be paid in cash. Last admission is at 16:30. The route leads through the gardens around the temple and can be walked without much effort. Stores and toilets are also available. A visit takes no longer than an hour.