As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, there are 17 structures included in the UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. I visit many of them during my stay in this city, as several are close together and all are fascinating. These include Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera, which I’ve already written about. Here are a few more of my favorites.

I’ll begin with Sanjusangen-do, which actually isn’t one of the 17 temples on the UNESCO list. But it’s the first place I visit in Kyoto and it’s quite impressive, so I’ll share it here.

Inside this building are 1000 gold kannon statues. Photography isn’t allowed, but I later snap this image through a window. It’s an entire army of golden soldiers.

Next up is Higashi Honganji. I wander around this complex for a bit. It’s right near Kyoto station.

I pass by this street and can’t help but pause for a photo of this moat. Japan continually surprises me with beauty on every corner.

And this is Nishi Hongan-ji, just a few blocks away from Higashi Honganji (the temple above). It’s on the UNESCO list.

With sunset fast approaching, I hop into a cab and arrive at the Golden Temple just before it closes. THIS is my favorite temple, and the one I am most excited to show you.

It’s clear how the Golden Temple got its name. It’s also known as Kinkaku-ji. For the record, there is a Silver Temple across town (known as Ginkaku-ji), but I’m told it’s fairly average.

I cannot believe my luck — thanks to a pricy $20 cab ride (I am mad at myself for not realizing the time sooner and making my way over via public transit), I have arrived in time to witness the Golden Temple glowing in this spectacular light.

I am smitten with the water reflection of these trees and temple.

I’m still not tired of this breath-taking sunlight beaming off the gold paint. Two more photos.

There is a short walk around the temple grounds. Lots of greenery and nature.

This is a wishing well of sorts, minus the well part. Visitors can toss coins in the direction of the pot.

Of all the temples in this post, the Golden Temple / Kinkaku-ji is the only one that is must-see.

If you are perusing these posts trying to plan your own visit to these temples, don’t stress about it — I know there’s a zillion names and they’re all long and hard to pronounce (I have trouble with that myself). But it’s as simple as picking up a tourist map from the hostel or hotel you’re staying at and asking the front desk to circle the best temples for you. They’re all in relatively close proximity and then you can make your way from one to the next, checking them off a list. If you only have time for a few, the very best in Kyoto are Fushimi-inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Golden Temple.

Later this week I’ll detail one final temple from the UNESCO list, Tenryu-ji in nearby Arashiyama. This beauty also earns a spot on the must-see list.