I realize that it is largely a matter of personal preference as to how long one spends at a particular site, but how long (ball park figure) would you suggest to see Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto.

I'm not sure if this is a place for more of a stroll around examing the architecture or are there rooms with artefacts etc to examine in which obviously will take a lot longer.

No, you can't go in - you just walk around - you can get an idea of the area from a map on its website...

http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/...uji/index.html

There is a place you can have tea and a little cake.....

Kinkakuji is a poorly built reproduction of the original temple. (Google for its history).

It lacks soul.

It's a nice stroll, but that's about it.

Try Kokedera (warning: you need to make reservations months ahead) or any of the other many temples in Kyoto.

About one hour is more than ample to walk through the garden, take a look at the pavillion and take pictures and buy a souvenir or two at the exit.

Thank you for your replies. This gives me a much better idea of how much time to allocate.

Agree that an hour will be enough as you work your way through the crowd for that photo op & your stroll up the hill & back down to the souvenir shop.

Have fun !

I realize that Kinkaku-ji is a reproduction after someone burnt it down, I think. But, to me, it was the symbol of Kyoto and I enjoyed visiting there so much...

The other temple that I really liked was Sanjusangendo.....

Kinkaku-ji and nearby Ryoan-ji are two popular temples. I was there at the opening time at one and immediately went to the other before being run over by tour groups. It was raining cats and dogs but the crowds were overwhelming nevertheless.

The golden and silver temples were my least favorite temples in Kyoto. We just walked through the walkways and were done very quickly.

However, we spent a long time, well over an hour each, at Shoren-in, Nanzenji, and Kiyomizudera (over 2 hrs at that last one). My favorite, over two trips and lots of temples, was Shoren-in. Although it is smaller, the tranquility, gong, bamboo gardens, interior, and element of surprise (we encountered a young Japanese woman getting dressed in traditional gown) really was awesome for my son and me, and we lingered.

I think there is no way to know what will strike you as a temple you really enjoy and stay longer at, and which ones you will just breeze through. That is part of the joy in Kyoto, discovering what strikes you and grabs you in particular.

My recollection was you get a better photo if you go there in the afternoon (preferably on a sunny day) because of reflection of sunlight on its gold-gilt roof.

I must say I was a bit dissapointed by Rhuanji as I was expecting a quaint zen-garden but the place gets mobbed by tourist groups.

You have to go when no one else is there - October maybe? Anytime school is in session, preferrably just before college entrance exams....

An hour plus travel time.

On my first visit to Kyoto I chose to see Ginkakuji and Nijojo and chose not to see Kinkakuji. That was the right decision for me.

The crowds at Kinkakuji were annoying. There were several small groups of Japanese students who stopped us to practice their English. It was fun the first or second time but, hate to say it, it got annoying.

I also recommend going to Kiyomizudera. I didn't go there the first time (but no regrets). It was crowded, but we enjoyed.

Maybe it was the combination of the crowds at Kiyomizudera and then taxi to Kinkakuji and the crowds there that got me in a less than wonderful mood.

October is considered a peak season for kyoto because of autumnal leaves.

Autumn leaves season in Kyoto isn't till November, often towards the end of the month. Temperatures in October are usually in 70s and 80s.