The day started with an early morning wake-up call from our alarm clock to get ready to travel (from Osaka) to Kyoto - dubbed as the most beautiful city in Japan. Kyoto is the former capital of Japan and the imperial residence for over a millennium (794-1868). Hence the place acquired its numerous temples, shrines and cultural assets that are registered World Heritage Sites.

the main entrance to Kinkakuji temple

ringing bell ritual

Kinkakuji ticket booth

We first visited the Kinkakuji Temple (officially named Rokuonji) known for the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion, which houses sacred relics of Buddha and is surrounded by exquisite Japanese style garden and lake renowned for their beauty. However, no one is allowed to go inside the pavilion, you can only admire this iconic sight from the outside. The Golden Pavilion was burned to the ground in 1950, an exact reproduction of the original building was completed in 1955. Kinakakuji Temple is a registered World Heritage Site.

Admission Fee: 400 Yen per adult

Open daily 9am-5pm

Kinkakuji can be accessed from Kyoto station by direct Kyoto City Bus number 101 or 205 in about 40 minutes and for 230 yen. Alternatively, it can be faster and more reliable to take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station (15minutes, 260 yen) and take a taxi (10 minutes, 1000-12000 yen) or bus numbers 101, 102, 204 or 205) from there to Kinkakuji. (source)