Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion
The Kinkaku-ji complex consists of a Zen Temple with a Golden Pavillion and pond garden.
The original Golden Pavillion was built as a retirement home by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 1300s. At the time of his death he willed the estate be turned into a Zen Temple. The current pavillion was rebuilt in 1955 after the original was destroyed by fire in 1950. The only piece to survive the fire is the Golden Phoenix sitting on the roof apex, it was off site being repaired at the time. The pavilion, which is covered in gold leaf, is quite stunning and worth visiting the gardens for this alone.
The garden here is also one of the most famous in Japan, being designed during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) which was a high point in garden design. It was based on the Paradise Gardens of the late Heian Period, with the garden arranged around a pond for visitors to a walk around and enjoy the different aspects from carefully created viewpoints. Unfortunately, because of the popularity of the garden, visitors can only walk half way around the pond these days.
From the main pond of Kyoko-chi the path passes up the hill where the temple can then be admired from above the trees. At the top of the hill is a Tea House (no longer serving tea) before a long flight of steps down towards the car park.
The designers have incorporated 'borrowed views' of Mount Kinugasa giving a depth to the views of the garden they have created. Within, garden focal points have been placed to give additional interest giving the garden a sense of being much larger than it is.
Behind the Golden Pavillion is a dock where small boats would have been moored ready to take guests for a trip around the Pond. Guests would be able to appreciate the 10 small islands in the lake with the largest island representing Japan; and they would also have been able to see the parts of the garden created to reflect scenes from literature.
In the lake close to the Pavilion are four stones in a line which represent sail boats anchored on their way to the Isle of Eternal Life from a Chinese myth.
Be sure to check out the waterfall with a fish-shaped boulder placed under it to symbolize a carp swimming upstream, and the pond above with a stone pagoda situated on a small island dedicated to Benzaiten, the lucky goddess of music and artistic skill.
The path takes visitors from the pond past the living quarters of the current priest to the smaller Anmintaku Pond where visitors toss coins towards the statues for good luck.
Before leaving the complex visitors pass the Sekkatei Tea House built later during the Edo period (1600-1868)
Outside the temple are stalls selling whipped green tea- this is a delicacy and not to be missed.
This is one of Japan's busiest tourist garden sites so choosing your time of visit could be important. As a gardens it is of greater academic interest than that of the everyday aesthetic interest. But the Golden Pavilion itself is quite stunning and well worth a visit for that alone if you find yourself in Kyoto.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Restaurant There is no where to eat within the complex but lots of stalls and restaurant along the street outside the temple.
Wheelchair access: There are many steps along the paths so that only a small part of the gardens are accessible for wheelchairs. The good news is that the most important areas including paths around Golden Pavillion are usable for wheelchairs.
Kinkaku-ji is located in the far north of Kyoto and is not on a train line.
The 101(Bus Stand B2) or 205 (Bus Stand B3) buses from Kyoto JR station that will take 40-50mins depending on traffic, alight at the Kinkakuji bus stop. All 101 buses stop at Kinkakuji with the added advantage that announcement are made in Japanese and English. If you take the 205 make sure it is NOT the 205 RAPID as this DOESN'T STOP at Kinkakuji.
1 KinkakujichoKyoto 603-8361Japan
All year 9.00 to 17.00
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Tiled roof of Priest's house
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Kyoto, Japan
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Kyoto, Japan - view across Kyoko-chi pond
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Kyoto, Japan path along side of Kyoko-chi pond
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Kyoto, Japan 360 year old pine tree
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Golden Phoenix on roof of Golden Pavillion
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - path around pond not open to visitors
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Pines growing on one of the many islets on Kyoko-chi pond
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - golden reflections on water behind pine needles
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - path around lake
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Pink blooms of Camellia
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - view through trees
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - coins thrown at Buddha stones for good luck
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion Dragon Gate waterfall, Ryumon - Carp stone in centre at base of waterfall
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Gutters
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - stone steps towards the top of the garden
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - view above the trees
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Dry river bed
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Fallen autumn leaves
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Pine trees
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Pagoda on small island in An-min-taku Pond
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - An-min-taku Pond
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Sekka-tei House
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Pine Trees
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion - Fudo-do Shrine
Kinkaku-ji, Golden - steps from exit towards the car park
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - tourists keen for selfies infront of Golden Pavillion
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Tourists play Geishas for the day
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - Roof feature
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - candles for sale
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavillion and Garden - stalls on either side of path leading to Gardens
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