#kinkaku-ji

#summervacay #kinkaku-ji #kyoto #myitinerary #travel #thingstodo I arrived early in the morning at Kyoto’s famed Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, where the stillness of the air was gently stirred by the chatter of student tour groups meandering along the garden paths. Despite the crowd, the visit felt surprisingly refreshing—like stepping into a meditative lull wrapped in gold leaf and morning mist. The park surrounding the pavilion requires an entrance fee, and in return, you're handed a ticket that looks nothing like your typical museum stub. Instead, it resembles a charm straight out of a sorcerer’s grimoire—imbued with the kind of quiet symbolism that only Japan can pull off with such understated grace. Though the Golden Pavilion itself is off-limits—visitors admire it only from across the reflective pond—there’s something poetic about the distance. It reinforces the idea that beauty, at times, is best appreciated from afar, untouched. The mirror-like water, the framing pines, and the glint of sunlight off the golden structure make the view feel almost surreal. The experience is less about “doing” and more about being. You walk, you watch, you breathe in centuries of careful design and cultural reverence. It’s not just a tour—it’s a slow, deliberate unfolding of space, silence, and sacred stillness.

Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Japan, if I dare say, the entire world. The countless shrines, temples and forests radiate a charm that few cities could rival. But this is not just my opinion. People the world over take it as gospel and flock to Kyoto. Helped by the weak yen, Kyoto these days is beaming with tourists, which can make it difficult to find the serenity that the pictures were luring us towards. I made a day-trip to Kyoto last October and definitely felt the same. The crowds definitely made for a less than pleasurable experience. But even so, I managed to find some sweet spots without crowds and the feeling was incredible. (Even then, taking the above pictures with my phone was no easy feat 📸) The rule of thumb I realised? Be willing to climb more and go further. 🚶♂️ These are the three main attractions I toured on my day trip: 1️⃣ Arashimaya Bamboo Forest 🎍 The quintessential Kyoto attraction. The sight is truly breathtaking, but entering any later than 9AM means you have to be prepared to face huge crowds. But not to worry, just walk all the way to the end and don’t get out too fast. At the end of the trail you will likely see a lake with many lotuses floating on it. This is a very photogenic spot. If you see stairs to climb further upwards, go upwards and you will not regret it. After that, on the way, you may spot many quaint cottages that truly give the vibe of the Japanese countryside. 2️⃣ Kinkaku-ji 🏯 Kyoto has over a thousand temples, and this was the one I chose to visit for my day trip. The main structure is an iconic golden building perched on a lake that is very picturesque. Unlike at the bamboo forest, there isn’t really much of a respite from the crowds here and they are constantly thronging. Still, enjoy what you can. The ice cream selling outside the entrance (you cannot bring it in) is really tasty. 3️⃣ Fushimi Inari Shrine ⛩ You probably have seen these iconic red pillars before somewhere, whether it is in your friend’s social media posts or in a Japan-themed movie. Walking through the pillars, the crowds are immense and it gets very cramped too. Unlike at the bamboo forest, the path is narrow. But this is a place that rewards patience. Just continue all the way and take side stairs up to places away from the beaten path. The scene I saw at sunset had a really spooky vibe to it! But do not get up too late, as the areas are not lit. #japan #kyoto #arashimaya #kinkaku-ji #fushimiinarishrine

Hidden away in the Northern part of the city, is Kyoto’s famous golden temple Kinkaku-ji. A trip to Kyoto is not complete without visiting here! A breathtaking Zen Buddhist temple with a shimmering golden exterior, with the reflections in the tranquil ponds around it～ a truly mesmerising sight to see. You must buy a ticket to enter, costing 500 yen. 🎫 The three story reliquary hall is covered with gold foil both inside and outside, and has been a designated important historical building in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Unfortunately the inside of the pavillion is closed to the public. 📸 The best view of the pavillion is from across the mirror lake, although it can get very busy in the afternoon. I recommend visiting earlier in the day for good photos without the crowds. As you continue walking around the temple grounds, there is lush greenery, a tea house and many sculptures that compliment the radiant beauty of the temple itself. The gardens are a place of tranquility and an opportunity to really immerse yourself in Japan’s rich cultural heritage. #kinkaku-ji #unesco #worldheritagesite #historicallandmarks #mytravelhacks #localguides #japantrip #japan #kyoto #summerdestinations

Kinkaku-ji is a temple made with gold in Kyoto. The entry fee is 500 yen and you can see the temple from outside and can also see a beautiful garden. #historicallandmarks #trip #kinkaku-ji #kyoto #japan

Love this place. WithtThe blue skies as backdrop it looked more magnificent ❤️ #Japan #Kinkaku-ji Love how this picture turned out 🥰 Thankful & blessed