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The gold-leafed Kinkaku-ji pavilion reflected in its garden pond
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Kitayama

Kyoto Neighbourhood Guide

Quiet, leafy, classic Zen temples

The quieter, leafier northwest, built around Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and the rock garden of Ryoan-ji. It's a classic Zen-temple circuit with noticeably thinner crowds than Higashiyama once you're a few streets off the main approach.

Best for: Golden PavilionBest for: Zen gardensBest for: less-crowded templesBest for: cycling

Day Trips from Kyoto

Nara · Uji · Osaka · Kobe

Pick up at Kansai International Airport. Free cancellation on most cars.

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Explore Kitayama

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The gold-leafed Kinkaku-ji pavilion reflected in its garden pond

Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)

A Zen temple pavilion whose top two floors are covered in real gold leaf, mirrored in the pond in front of it. It was rebuilt in 1955, to the same design, after a 1950 arson fire destroyed the 14th-century original. One of the most recognisable buildings in Japan.