Kinkaku-ji ( Golden Pavilion ) is one of the main buildings of the Rokuon-ji Temple. It dates back to 1220 when it was a comfortable villa of Kintsune Saionji. 3 years after he abdicated from the throne in 1394, Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga began to build Kitayamaden. Special efforts were made to ensure the site was breathtaking and serene. After Yoshimitsu 's death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen Temple in accordance with his will. All buildings of those days came to ruin except Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) which was burned down in 1950. An exact replica was rebuilt in 1955. The garden of Rokuon-ji Temple remains as it was in the former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago.
Rokuon-ji Temple became a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994.

Building: Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) -The elegant harmonious building consist of 3 types of architecture.
The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style
The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai
The 3rd floor is Karayo style, Zen temple style
Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold leaf on Japanese lacquer. The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles

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Last edited on Jun 6, 09 1:40 AM.
Contributors: Marjolijn D. , Pokin Y. , Lena C. , Laurent K. Show History

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Jennifer F.

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May K.

Oct 25, 2010

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Kinkaku or Golden Pavilion is the main building of this temple. This breathtaking pavilion was built by Yoshimitsu in the 14 th C. Yoshimitsu was the 3 rd Shogun of Ashikaga. He abdicated the throne in 1394. He was a successful trader who used to import goods from China. After his death the palace was turned into a temple. The palace consists of 3 floors with three different types of architecture. The palace was renewed and covered with 200,000 sheets of gold. These gold leaves are so thin that they only weigh 20kg. There is also a tea house amid the garden.

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Claire S.

Dec 16, 2008

J ai eu la chance de voir cet endroit splendide quand j avais 15 ans, en accompagnant mon pere au japon. C'est un des plus beaux souvenirs que je garde de ce pays. Quand j y suis allée, la neige était tombée et le pavillon d'or était recouvert d'un manteau blanc, c'etait magique. Le petit étang juqte devant, presque gelé, refletait la couleur or du pavillon, une image féérique que je n ai jamais oubliée...

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Masafumi F.

May 12, 2011

Kin means Gold in Japanese.
You can see the Pavilion coated with gold there.
This is located in northern part of the Kyoto city.
Public bus transportation service from Kyoto Station is convenient from Kyoto Station, where Bullet Train (Shin-Kansen) stops.

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Pantry Raider (HACKED;)

Aug 3, 2009

One of my favorite places in Kyoto. It's a nice walk around the grounds. The Pavillion was amazing and the fantastic 600 year old bonzai tree was Amazing aswell... We had a great time learning more about the buddhist religion and was a highlght on my trip.

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Saulius P.

Oct 9, 2009

I really couldn't think it is so gorgeous in reality! No picture would reproduce its vibrancy. I was there on a bad weather and even though was overly impressed. Highly recommended. A "must-see" in Kyoto. The best in autumn.

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