Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji)
Kinkaku, or the golden pavilion, stands facing Kyoko-chi (mirror lake) pond. Though the pavilion is not huge in size, people would be impressed at the first sight of brilliant golden walls of the building. The pavilion and its reflection on the water as well as islets and trees weave into a beauty and create a peaceful atmosphere. This Zen temple, Rokuon-ji, being frequently called Kinkaku-ji because of the golden pavilion, attracts many visitors all the year round.
History of Kinkaku-ji
The place originally was a villa of a powerful statesman Saionji Kintsune (1171-1244), that was called Kitayama-dai. The third Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshimitsu (1358-1408), who abdicated the shogunate in 1394, bought the place from the Saionjis in 1397. Three years later, he started to build his version of villa, Kitayama-den. The villa, that constitutes of Kinkaku, gardens and other buildings, is said to be designed to realize Buddhist paradise on the earth.
After Yoshimitsu's death, Kitayama-den was made into a Zen temple, so as to carry out his will. Muso Kokushi was assigned as the founder of the temple also in accordance with the late shogun's will. During Onin civil war (1467-1477), all the buildings except Kinkaku were burned down. The garden, however, remains as original and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. In 1950, Kinkaku was set fire by a student monk and reduced to ashes. The present building was rebuilt in 1955.
How to get to Kinkaku-ji
- 35 minutes from Kyoto Station to Kinkaku-ji-michi by Kyoto City Bus 101 or 205.
- 32 minutes from Shijo-Kawaramachi to Kinkaku-ji-michi by Kyoto City Bus 205
- 34 minutes or 36 minutes from Shijo-Kawaramachi to Kinkaku-ji-mae by Kyoto City Bus 12 or 59 respectively.
- 32 minutes from Sanjo-Keihan-mae to Kinkaku-ji-mae by Kyoto City Bus 59
- From Ninna-ji or Ryoan-ji, take Kyoto City bus 59 bound for Shijo-Kawaramachi. It takes about 10 minutes or 6 minutes respectively to Kinkaku-ji-mae.
Hours and Admission
9:00-17:00
All except those listed below: 400 yen
Schoolchildren and Junior High School Students (1st to 9th graders): 300
yen
Children under school age: free
Photos of Kinkaku-ji
Photos of Kinkaku
Click on a photo for full image.
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| Kinkaku, the golden pavilion, and Kyoko-chi pond that represents the sea. November 30, 2009 |
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| Kinkaku. The first floor is Shinden-zukuri type and called Hossui-in. the
second floor is Shoin-zukuri type and called Cho'on-do. The third floor
is Zen-shu-Butsu-den type and named Kukkyocho. November 30, 2009 |
Kinkaku and its reflection on Kyoko-chi pond. November 30, 2009 |
Kinkaku in winter. January 20, 2001 |
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| Kinkaku viewed from the east. November 30, 2009 |
The rear view of Kinkaku. The small structure attached to the pavilion
is tsuridono (a fishing deck) that is called Sosei. A boat can be moored
under it. February 17, 2008 |
Kinkaku seen from behind. February 17, 2008 |
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| The third floor of Kinkaku, that is called Kukkyocho. March 14, 2004 |
Wooden images of Buddha (right) and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Muromachi third shogun who built Kinkaku (left). These images
are on the first floor of Kinkaku. November 18, 2007 |
Phoenix on the rooftop of Kinkaku. November 18, 2007 |
Photos of Kyoko-chi pond
Most visitors seem to be captivated by gorgeous Kinkaku and not to pay any attention to Kyoko-chi pond. But it is hard to imagine the golden pavilion without Kyoko-chi pond, the core of the Chisen-Kaiyu-shiki/Chisen-Shuyu-shiki Teien (a pond strolling and pond-boating garden) of Kinkaku-ji. Typical charms of a Japanese garden can be found in the garden, especially in the pond and Ryumon-baku (Ryumon-no-taki) waterfall.
Click on a photo for full image.
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| Kyoko-chi pond in autumn. November 28, 2000 |
Kyoko-chi pond in winter. January 20, 2001 |
Islets in Kyoko-chi pond. November 18, 2007 |
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| The southernmost islet in Kyoko-chi pond. November 30, 2009 |
Ashihara-jima islet in Kyoko-chi pond. The largest islet in the pond represents
the Japanese Islands. February 17, 2008 |
Sanzon ishigumi on the northern shore of Ashihara-jima. March 13, 2010 |
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| The inclined stone in the middle of the photo is Hosokawa-ishi on Ashihara-jima
islet. March 13, 2010 |
The stone leaning to the right is Akamatsu-ishi. March 13, 2010 |
Hatakeyama-ishi to the east of Awaji-shima islet. March 13, 2010 |
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| Tsuru-jima (crane island) on the left and Kame-jima (turtle island) on
the right. November 30, 2009 |
Kusen-Hakkai-seki (nine-mountain-eight-sea stone) north-east of Tsuru-jima.
This stone was imported from China. March 13, 2010 |
The four stones forming a horizontal line in the middle of the photo are
called Yodomari-ishi that represent sailboats anchored at night. These
boats are bound for the Isle of Eternal Life in Chinese mythology. March 13, 2010 |
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| Dekame (leaving turtle) island November 30, 2009 |
Irikame (arriving turtle) island November 30, 2009 |
A small gate with a moss covered roof. February 17, 2008 |
Photos of Hojo and Kuri
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| Kuri, the priest's living quarters, of Kinkaku-ji in winter. January 20, 2001 |
Onigawara, or a gargoyle on the roof of Kuri. March 14, 2004 |
Buddhist images in a room of Hojo. January 26, 2004 |
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| Fusuma-e in a tatami room of Hojo, painted by Kano Geki in 1681. January. 26, 2004 |
Fusuma-e in a tatami room of Hojo, painted by Kano Geki in 1681. January. 26, 2004 |
The phoenix that used to be on the roof top of the original Kinkaku, that was
set fire and burnt down in 1950. January 26, 2004 |
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| A karesansui garden of Hojo. January 26, 2004 |
Hojo building. February 17, 2008 |
Rikushu-no-matsu, a-boat-on-the-ground pine. February 17, 2008 |
Other Photos
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| Somon gate. November 18, 2007 |
Ichimonji chozubachi, a big washbasin. March 13, 2010 |
The belfry. November 18, 2007 |
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| A small shrine called Shin'un. March 13, 2010 |
Genka-sen well that was used by Yoshimitsu to wash his hands. November 18, 2007 |
A pair of Kinkaku-ji gaki bamboo fences that are peculiar to Kinkaku-ji. February 17, 2008 |
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| Kokei-kyo, a small stone bridge over the stream from Anmin-taku pond to
Ryumon-baku waterfall. March 13, 2010 |
Ryumon-baku (Ryumon-no-taki) waterfall. In the middle is Rigyo-seki that literally means
a carp stone. March 13, 2010 |
Jizo Buddhist images and coins that visitors tossed. February 17, 2008 |
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| An islet in Anmin-taku pond. The stone pagoda in the middle is called Hakuja-zuka,
or a white snake mound. November 18, 2007 |
Sekka-tei tea hut that was rebuilt in in 1874. The original hut was designed
by a tea master Kanamori Sowa (1584-1657). January 26, 2004 |
A room of Sekka-tei. November 18, 2007 |
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| Kijin-to, a chair-shaped stone. March 13, 2010 |
Fudo-do. February 17, 2008 |
The exit stone stairs. January 26, 2004 |