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GORGEOUS GOLDEN HOUR VIEWS OF THE TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN PAVILION
2 D A Y S
KYOTO
E X P L O R E Kyoto is set in a bowl of wooded hills and was built on a grid pattern , which makes finding your way around unexpectedly easy . Start with some of the city ’ s most celebrated temples , such as Kiyomizu-dera , a magnificent wooden temple supported by pillars on the slope of a mountainside ; Kinkaku-ji , the Temple of the Golden Pavilion ; and Ryōan-ji , famous for its Zen dry garden of raked gravel . These sites are popular and will likely be crowded , so try to avoid peak hours . For a more casual experience , visit some of the many temples at the Daitoku-ji Temple Complex . We particularly enjoy Ryogen-in temple , which contains four Zen gardens in contrasting styles .
Take time to stroll along the Philosopher ’ s Path , a walkway that skirts the eastern foothills and traces the route of a canal from Ginkaku-ji , the Temple of the Silver Pavilion , in the north to Nanzen-ji temple in the south , passing several other temples as well as an alluring collection of small shops and restaurants .
On the following day , return to Tokyo ’ s Narita Airport and depart on your flight home .
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE AND BUDDHIST TEMPLE , KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE
ANDREW HARPER TRAVELER ISSUE NO . 2 / 2022
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