14th-century Zen temple covered in gold leaf, mirrored in a Muromachi-style pond. UNESCO World Heritage. Open 9:00–17:00, ¥500.
💡 Getting there: Bus 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station (~40 min, ¥230). 🕐 9:00–17:00 year-round. 💴 ¥500 (adults), ¥300 (children). 🍂 Best season: autumn (mid-Nov, red leaves reflected) and winter (with snow). UNESCO World Heritage. Built in 1397 by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu; current building is a 1955 reconstruction.