: World Cultural Heritages of KyotoKinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji)
More photos.Kinkaku, or the golden pavilion, stands facing Kyoko-chi 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
The place originally was a villa of Saionji Kintsune (1171-1224), 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 his 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 there
35 minutes from Kyoto Station to Kinkaku-ji-michi by Kyoto City Bus 101 or 205.
To see the map of this area, click HERE.
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
Other places of interest in this area
Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji and Toji-in
Photos
Click on a photo for full image.
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| Kinkaku, the golden pavilion, and Kyoko-chi pond. February 17, 2008 |
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| Somon gate. November 18, 2007 |
The belfry. November 18, 2007 |
Kuri, the priest's living quarters, of Kinkaku-ji in winter. January 20, 2001 |
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| Onigawara, or a gargoyle on the roof of Hojo. March 14, 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 |
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 karesansui garden of Hojo. January 26, 2004 |
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| Glittering Kinkaku. November 18, 2007 |
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-Butsuden type and named Kukkyocho. January 26, 2004 |
Kinkaku in winter. January 20, 2001 |
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| The third floor of Kinkaku, that is called Kukkyocho. March 14, 2004 |
Wooden images of Buddha (right) and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (left), Muromachi
third shogun who built Kinkaku. These images are on the first floor of
Kinkaku. November 18, 2007 |
Phoenix on the rooftop of Kinkaku. November 18, 2007 |
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| The rear view of Kinkaku. February 17, 2008 |
A small gate with a moss covered roof. February 17, 2008 |
Kyoko-chi pond in winter. January 20, 2001 |
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| Islets in Kyoko-chi pond. November 18, 2007 |
Horai-jima island in Kyoko-chi pond. February 17, 2008 |
Kyoko-chi pond in autumn. November 28, 2000 |
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| Irikame islet on the left. February 17, 2008 |
Kinkaku looked from behind. February 17, 2008 |
A small shrine. February 17, 2008 |
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| 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 |
Ryumon-baku waterfalls. In the middle is Rigyo-seki that literally means
a carp stone. November 18, 2007 |
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| Jizo Buddhist images and coins that visitors tossed. February 17, 2008 |
An islet on Anmintaku 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 designed t by a tea master Kanamori Sowa (1584-1657). January 26, 2004 |
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| A room of Sekka-tei. November 18, 2007 |
Fudo-do. February 17, 2008 |
The exit stone stairs. January 26, 2004 |