What other travelers are saying about Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Probably one of the most beautiful places visited in Japan and in and around the Kyoto area.
We took a day trip to here and bamboo forest, and monkey park and also made a trip to 1,000 gates which is also highly recommended in the morning before it gets swamped with visitors.
We went in February, probably one of the coldest months and it was still packed and rammed with people!
We were fortunate enough to have a sprinkle of snow come in for us with the lightest bit of snowflakes falling to make the absolutely most perfect pictures ever!
There was an entrance fee for this but you get two beautiful scriptures to take home.
Yes, there are a lot of people so if you want pictures just be patient and wait your turn or go super early when it opens!
I visited the temple in the middle of the week and it was cloudy, but there were still a lot of people. There were several school trips. But do not be intimidated or rush. Go slowly and look at everything in peace. It is so beautiful. The architecture and spirituality are incredible. It does not even cost USD 5.00, but transportation makes the trip more expensive (you can only get there by walking, taxi or bus; the subway does not go there). However, if you don't want crowds, don't go.
My wife and I visited this venue 20 years ago and were blessed with scaffolding and a concealed palace in the middle of renovations... But at least they had a poster of what it would look like... Fast forward that 20 years with a visit with our family and my daughter and it was spectacular for that return visit! I tend to love overcast days and this day was no exception! The lighting is soft and really let's the palace stand out... Be mindful of the other tourists and help them out for optional picture taking😁
What a beautiful and picturesque temple.
The downside is that if you don't get there early, the crowds are overwhelming.
We were there by 820 am and there were only a few people ahead of us, as they open at 9 am but by 845 am , bus loads of tours started showing up and in a matter of a few minutes there were large crowds of people on the luneup.
However, if you're visiting and you are not in a rush, then you can wait until it clears enough for you to take your pictures at "the spot" where the temple is across the water.
Besides the main temple, they have other smaller temples, shrines, and shops.
It's a quick one-way loop that's one way and takes you from the entrance to the exit, so take your time and get the pictures you want along the way.
I was not disappointed and would definitely return again.
Don't miss this place.
Went during the winter and it’s a beautiful sight to behold though I do think it would be much more scenic during the other seasons. The gold temple sits on top of a large pond and is stunning. The ticketed area isn’t large and it’s a one way path. You can be in and out in about 15-30 minutes.
