Although it’s full of visitors and can get crowded, there’s no doubt as to the beauty of the scene of Kyoto’s golden Kinkaku-ji Pavilion overlooking the lake. It’s one of the finest views in Japan. Originally built in 1397 ACE, the temple was burned in 1950 by an obsessed monk, so what you’re seeing today is an exact reconstruction, built in 1955. You can take a pleasant walk around the pavilion, but there are better gardens in Kyoto. This is a can’t- miss, though, if only for the beauty of the pavilion itself.

Kinkaju-ji
1 Kinkajuji-cho,
Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: 075-461-0013
Open 9:00-5:00
Take bus 59 or 205