Which of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites Have You Visited?

Let's see. I wend to Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Ryoanji, and Byodo-in. I might have seen Toji from a distance but I didn't actually get to go, and there was one place I visited near Kiyomizu but I never did figure out its name. I'll probably hit the rest of those when I go back in April.

I can't decide Kiyomizu and Byodo-in for my favorites. On the one hand the view from Kiyomizu can't be beat, and the water at the sacred spring is incredible. On the other hand, it's kind of hard to beat the feeling of standing in a temple that's at least a thousand years old, wandering the grounds, and seeing the artifacts. They were doing some major restorative work when I was there so that kind of ruined the atmosphere, but I was really happy to see all the work they're putting into restoring the temple. The Phoenix Hall was closed last summer, but I think they said they would be reopening it this year or sometime next year.

Been to Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Ginkakuji Temple, and Ryoanji Temple.

Favorite was Ryoanji as there were lots to be seen. Hated Kinkakuji, not much was there except the main temple itself and the entrance fee was pretty unreasonable compared to the rest.

Been to all of them!

My favorite ones are Byodo-in and Tenryuji.

I personally prefer the pagoda of the Rurikoji Temple in Yamaguchi.

Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kinkaku-Ji temple, Saiho-Ji(Koke-dera) temple, Ryoan-Ji temple and Uji Byo-Do-In temple are best 5 of them where all I visited several times.

Kiyomizu-dera is because of the famous stage(Kiyomizu-no-butai) and the pagoda tower. We can try to watch good view down of Kyoto city from the stage with cherryblossom or colored leaves seasonally.

Kinkaku-ji is because of the famous golden building and its reflection on the pond aside. It was built as Shogun, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga's cottage in 1397 but it was burnt down by a fanatic monk once in 1950 but rebuilt later and some original parts still remains. Great view always.

Saiho-ji(Koke-dera) is the most expensive garden (Yen3000!). Classic Japanese Zen garden SHOULD NOT be. Admmission is only for reservation. It is clean, lonely and simple but essential attire there in the garden. You can feel it that time and tide waits by no man if you walk to watch the garden there quietly.

Ryoan-ji is definitely impressive because of the rock garden. In the mornig, mid-day, early afternoon and late afternoon there are so many different atmosphere there everytime I went there I think something spiritual. Koyo season and not so crowded time, you can talk to the sands endlessly. It' s a Zen universe absolutely down there.

Byo-do-In is because of the fabulous buidling itself. It is amasingly beautiful. Modern museam is also very helpful to understand this legacy of the world all explanation are both written in Japanese and English. JR Uji which is about 30 minutes distance from JR Kyoto by local train is the nearest station.

Daigo-ji is very plain building like so-so temple which is of course good shape but not so dramatic for me. Cherryblossom is quite beautiful though.

Ginkaku-ji is very simple. The view is quite Zentic but a bit shabby even both the building and garden for me. I know it is intentional though.

Nishi-Honganji, Enryaku-ji are very big, just big but that's all and it is tired to walk a lot for me. Shrines are almost same everywhere. It is very attaractive but not so pupular for me. One thing most and best thing of shrines is admission free!!!!!!!! It is big advantage for thifty travelers.

Nijo-jyo castle is pretty good for castle lover but it is prohibited to take picture inside. The garden is very beautiful and quiet.

Tenryu-ji is just next to Arashiyama famous spot. We are easlly to drop the temple after walking down Togetsu-Kyo bridge at Arashiyama within few minutes. One of typical and standard buddhist temple I think. Good garden and pond there too. Standard of standard of Zen may be.

Toji pagota is famous but I think we can view far from it better than do just next to it. Nin-na-ji is very big entrance gate. Good cherryblossom too. Kozan-ji is similar to Ginkaku-ji very lonely and dark and not so pupular like Ginkaku-ji. It is also Zentic world there. Hard to get it because of quite far from downtown of Kyoto.

I like all places admission free!!!!!!!!

I haven't been to all of them either, but Enryakuji is great.

sorry , I am a chinese. I 've never been to Japan~