When I visited Kinkakuji in Kyoto for the first time 11 years ago, I said it was what the Eiffel Tower was to Paris or the Statue of Liberty is to New York. For Kyoto, Kinkakuji is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city.
Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion
Kinkakuji has mostly stayed the same since the last time I visited. It’s still sitting pretty next to a pond on picturesque grounds with seemingly every blade of grass and leaf right where they should be. The pond reflects the golden shine of the three-story pagoda on its surface as a neverending stream of tourists snap pictures.
Kinkakuji attractions
The main Kinkakuji building is the highlight but the grounds surrounding it has various gardens, tea houses, sculptures, water features, gift shops and other points of interest that make the 1 to 2-hour stroll more than just about the golden pavilion. Let me know in a comment below or tweet me @Jamaipanese if you have ever been to or want to visit Kinkakuji or any other attraction in Kyoto.
This is so beautiful, I would love to go when I visit Japan next year or the year after.
You will enjoy it. Kyoto can get crowded but you could easily spend a week checking out all the major sights