My trip to Kyoto in October of 2023 was really one of the highlights of my two week adventure in Japan. I timed my trip to coincide with the Jidai Matsuri and Kobo Dashi flea market, which were both great experiences that I can't recommend more. I also had a great time collecting goshuin stamps from all the temples and shrines as a fun souvenir. Here's my review of every temple that i managed to visit under this WHS. 

Ginkaku-ji: This one was really enjoyable, especially as the culmination of the fun Philosopher's Path. It was raining when we visited, which meant it was thankfully not crowded, and it lent to moody pictures of the main pagoda. Ekiando, although not on the whs, was along the same path and deserves a shout out. 

To-ji: The main attractions were the tall pagoda and the lively Kobo Dashi market. To be honest, I have more memories of buying a clay tea pot here then of the actual temple itself lol. There was a lady selling "American muffins" which honestly looked just like the muffins from costco. 

Ninna-ji: This one was suprsingly quiet, which was a nice change from the crowded To-ji. The garden area was really nice but it was also partially under construction so that took away from the historical immersion for me personally. I'm sure that it will look spectacular when it is done though! They also gave me a world heritage themed shoe bag which was epic.

Ryoan-ji: Honestly, this one was one of my least favorite sites because it was so crowded with abnoxious tour groups that were not respecting the Zen atmosphere. I made the mistake of not going right at the crack of dawn to avoid them, and I had mistakenly thought that since it was close to closing time they would be gone. I was so wrong :*(. People give americans a bad rap for being loud but it wasn't us this time i swear lol!!

Kinkaku-ji: This was the one that I thought would be the most crowded for sure. But my plan of arriving at this one last in the day worked out! There was a very limited amount of people and the setting sun made the temple shine so beautifully! I guess all the tour groups went to Kinkaku-ji first and then to Ryoan-ji. So arrive at this one right before it closes for the best lighting and crowds.

Byodoin: This one was another highlight for me as well. This one had a really awesome museum that housed all the artifacts from the temple which was not really a thing for the other sites. The building itself is spectacular and felt spiritual in a way that other temples in this whs did not. The avenue leading up to it was stocked with cute tea shops so I obviously had to do some shopping there as well.

Uji Shrine: I liked this shrine's location and understand why they included it in the whs (oldest shrine buildings in japan) but not too notable otherwise.

Tenryu-ji: This one had so much potential but it really irked me that they charged to enter each building and the garden all separately. No other temple did this (beyond the odd extra fee to enter a specific building) so out of spite I paid to see the garden only. The garden was lovely, especially with the fall leaves but the temple microtransactions were unhinged! 

Kyomizudera: It is hard to avoid crowds here since this seems to be one of the school group tour greatest hits, but it is worth coming to see the big hall, especially since the scaffolding has finally come off! 

I do plan on coming back to hit the rest of the temples and Nijo castle!