Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji and Nijo Castle

Our last full day in Kyoto was awesome. We woke early, and after our morning ritual of breakfast at the Family Mart, we got on a local bus for an hour ride to the famous Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion.

Isn't it amazing? The top two floors of Kinkaku-ji are covered in pure gold leaf. It is quite exquisite. I had seen many pictures, but in person it's pretty incredible!

If the sun comes out a little the temple reflects in the water! I waited!

Of course as we were leaving the sun came out full bore illuminating all the gorgeous leaves!

After this, we walked a mile down the road to another temple Ryoan-ji.

Ryoan-ji is also called The Temple of the Dragon at Peace. The zen garden inside is considered by many to be one of the finest surviving zen gardens. I dunno, they all look the same to me!

This is one of my favorite pictures I took in Kyoto! This is the inside of the main hall of Ryoan-ji.

Very interesting landscape.

Our last stop of the day was Nijo Castle. The kids were tired and hungry and I was unsure about dragging them to one more place. I'm sure glad we did. Nijo Castle was beautiful! This history of all these places is so complex, it's worth a read online to find out the history.

The karamon main gate to Ninomaru Palace.

I wish so bad photography was allowed inside! Very detailed, even the ceilings were painted and it was original. One of my favorite stops for sure.

They wrap their palm trees for the winter!

Our last day in Kyoto and a great finish! Still more to come, next up, Nara and Osaka!