The Golden Pavilion
Across town to Kinkaku-ji by bus in the late afternoon. First, matcha soft serve at the gate.
Entry is ¥500 each, and the ticket is a paper charm you’re meant to keep.
Then you turn the corner and there it is, glowing on the pond.
The path takes you right alongside it. The sun was perfect.
One of us together, then past the smaller buildings by the water.
The gardens
The path carries on through the gardens behind.
Quieter back here, and still full of sun.
Past the old teahouse to the shop hall at the end.
We bought bookmarks on the way out. Gold ones, obviously. Then back across town for dinner, which we were very worried about getting a seat for.
Postcard from Kita-ku, Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, on a pond in north-west Kyoto. Entry is ¥500, and the ticket is a paper charm.
PS: Come in the late afternoon for the sun on the gold. The path is one-way, so take your photos at the first viewpoint by the pond.