• Susan WaglandJapan 88 Temples PilgrimageTraveler
    Kinkakuji Temple
    Kinkakuji TempleEvery tree a work of art and natureMossy treeSupermarket1For Jo. I tried the plums. Disgusting.Quiet residential streetNinnajiNinnaji temple, palace gardensNinnaji gardens and tea houseSoba noodles with kitsune (fried tofu), rice, tofu, pickles, chili powderLunch restaurantTrain at level crossing by stationThe start of the climb to the monkey sanctuary1Macaques2Feeding them peanuts through the barsView of Kyoto from monkey sanctuary1Bamboo pathRickshaw in bamboo pathPhoto site at bamboo path

    Kyoto Golden Pavilion and Monkeys

    October 5, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    I took an early bus to be at Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, at 9AM, but it was already busy, with parties of schoolchildren and Chinese and Italian tour groups. It's still breathtaking even in rain, and the gardens are beautiful.

    Then I LOST MY PHONE. It wasn't in my pocket when I wanted to photograph my bitter green tea and sweet bean curd with gold leaf. With the temple staff, we found it, handed in to a gift shop. Those were anxious minutes.

    Ninnaji temple was my next stop, and finally it was a temple that wasn't crowded. Lunch was in a Japanese restaurant near the temple, that sold variations on noodles, rice and tofu. Delicious.

    Finally, at Arashiyama I climbed to the monkey sanctuary and walked the Bamboo Path.    Read more