Without a doubt, the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is truly one of the top three places anyone visiting this part of Japan visits. This was my first time visiting this beautiful attraction, even after visiting Kyoto for over 15 years.
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
This article will share my firsthand experience as a tourist, considering that I had never done any research before my trip to Kyoto. In 2024, I decided I was done with itineraries and wanted to go with the flow.
I had booked a trip with my wife, and we decided to spend eight days in Kyoto, not moving around to other parts of Japan, as this was probably one of the best ways to enjoy a destination without stress and fatigue.
Therefore, we booked our flights and hotel, packed our bags, and headed here with no itinerary. We didn’t feel like doing that touristy thing everyone does, and we wanted to take our sweet time and see where the wind took us. Of course, our accommodation was vital because we spent seven nights in Kyoto and chose Travelodge Kawaramachi as our home for the week.
We decided to take a taxi from our hotel to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion as it was the beginning of summer, and we didn’t feel like taking the train and walking. While you may think it’s expensive, I beg to differ. After calculating the train plus time and walking, it would be a little more. I remember paying around ¥2000 for an electric taxi, which only took 20 minutes versus 40 minutes via train and walk.
Once you arrive at the entrance, you see nothing and must walk towards the general gate. There are signs available, plus a traffic warden directing visitors through the main entrance. After about 500 meters, we arrived at the ticket booth, where a nice long line greeted us.
However, the line moved quickly, as three ticket counters were open, and the staff efficiently kept the visitors moving. Tickets were ¥500 for adults, and since there were two of us, just a ¥1000 note took care of it quickly. Soon, we were inside the main pavilion area and needed to walk about three minutes to see the fantastic Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Arriving, there are several photo spots, but with the number of tourists there, you need to find one without anyone obstructing the view. The Kinkaku-ji structure is across the lake, and the reflection of the golden pavilion makes it one of the most beautiful photos to take here, which is why everyone is cramming that photo spot.
After you get your photos, walk along the path for about 50 meters and find a few more photo spots closer to the Golden Pavilion. Therefore, take your time and get all the photos you need here because this is the main star attraction. The further you follow the walkway, the closer you get to the golden pavilion.
It reached a point where you are at the side and then the back of the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, where photo-taking becomes useless. But we just stood in awe of how beautiful this pavilion was and how gold the colour was. If you want to know more details about the history and so on, please see the Wikipedia on Kinkaku-ji.
Once you are done, the pat leads you one round and out to the exit, passing through well-manicured Japanese gardens. If you love flora, you should note the plants and flowers here. Otherwise, move along the path and look for the premium matcha ice cream vendor before exiting. That is a must-try!
Photos of Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
*All photos in this article were taken using a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone.
How to Go to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion?
From Kyoto Station:
- By City Bus: This is the most common and convenient way. Take Kyoto City Bus number 205 from Kyoto Station. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 230 yen. Get off at the “Kinkakuji-michi” bus stop, a short walk from the temple entrance.
- By Subway and Bus: You can also take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station and then transfer to city bus number 204 or 205. This option might be slightly faster, but it requires a transfer.
- By Taxi: A taxi from Kyoto Station will take about 20-30 minutes and cost around 1500-2000 yen. (Rates may differ on the type of taxi and time you take it)
Where did I stay in Kyoto?
For one week, I wanted to be able to move around easily, so I chose to stay at Travelodge Kyoto Kawaramachi because of its central location in the main town area. The bus stops were mere metres away from the hotel entrance, while the shopping streets were about a ten-minute walk away.
Conclusion
If you have plans to visit this incredible part of Japan, read my article on places to visit in Kyoto for first timers as it narrows down the best attractions, especially if you do not have a lot of time here.
As one of the top three places to visit in Kyoto, the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion is truly one of the most beautiful I have seen, and the serenity of the space, minus the crowds, is fantastic. I would strongly recommend going during the off-peak season, probably during spring or summer, as the area gets covered in snow in the winter, and it can get cold here.