Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺

See it at least once

On two visits to Kyoto, I stopped at Kinkaku-ji. The first time was a long time ago before international tourism exploded. The Zen temple is one of Japan's World Heritage Sites. It's interesting not just for the gold veneer, meant to ward off impurity, but also for the three distinct architectural styles of the three floors. I liked the austere garden and the small details, like the elaborate roof tiles. Brave the crowds, and you might get a decent photo better than the one I shot.