[Kyoto x Spring Trip] Popular with foreigners too! Tourist attractions to visit when you come to Kyoto
by ikechoco travel
Mar 21, 2025
✨Visiting Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto is like stepping into a serene, almost magical world that perfectly blends history, nature, and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Here’s what you can expect:
✨Arrival and First Impressions✨
As you approach Kinkaku-ji, the sight of the shimmering golden pavilion reflecting perfectly in the surrounding pond (Kyoko-chi, or “Mirror Pond”) is breathtaking. The building’s upper floors are covered in gold leaf, creating a striking contrast with the lush greenery and the calm water. The view feels almost like a painting come to life.
✨Walking Through the Garden🚶🚶♀️🌷
The temple grounds are designed in a traditional Japanese strolling garden style, meaning you walk along winding paths that gradually reveal the pavilion from different angles.
✨Along the paths, you encounter small bridges, stone lanterns, and manicured trees, offering many spots for quiet reflection and photography.
✨Seasonal changes add unique beauty: cherry blossoms in spring🌸, vibrant leaves in autumn🍁, or a snow-covered pavilion in winter❄️.
🏯The Pavilion
While visitors cannot enter the pavilion itself, viewing it from multiple angles provides a sense of tranquility and awe.
🏞️The reflections in the pond are particularly mesmerizing, making the Golden Pavilion appear almost suspended in water. You might also notice small islands and koi fish in the pond, adding life and detail to the scene.
✨✨✨Other Highlights
Tea house ☕: Near the garden, you can enjoy a traditional cup of matcha green tea and sweets, offering a taste of Japanese culture.
Souvenir shops🛍️: Around the entrance, there are shops selling miniature golden pavilion replicas, local crafts, and snacks.
📍Overall Experience
Visiting Kinkaku-ji is peaceful, meditative, and visually stunning. It’s not just a sightseeing spot—it’s an experience of harmony between architecture and nature, a quiet escape from the city, and a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
#kyoto #kinkaku-ji #japan 
Post by Maynee | Sep 7, 2025

















