Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji, officially Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple whose top two floors are entirely covered in gold leaf. The reflection across the mirror pond produces the most iconic shot in Kyoto, and the surrounding garden is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Photography is allowed from designated viewing points along the prescribed path, but tripods and large equipment are prohibited inside the grounds. Couples should plan a short, mobile shoot rather than a multi-hour session here.