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Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto
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Things to Do in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) tips and photos posted by real travelers and Kyoto locals.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
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Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Kinkajuji Temple
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  • Updated By bkoon on May 23, 2004
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  • The Most Photographed Golden Pavilion - Kyoto
    The Most Photographed Golden
    Pavilion
    by bkoon
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    It was raining during my trip to Kinkajuji and the place was packed with tourists. The Kinkajuji, or the Golden Pavilion is gold in colour as the wooden structure was coloured by gold leaves. It has 3 levels and visitors can only see the temple from the outside and not allowed to go in (similar to Ginkajuji, the Silver Pavilion). Level 1 is built as a normal Buddhist Temple, Level 2 is of the Samurai Style and Level 3, the Zen Style. Strolling slowly around the compound would be a good idea (not really possible if there are hordes of tourists around). What you must do over there is to get into the tea house (situated near the exit) and taste the nice tea on the cooling tatami mats, whilst at the same time, viewing out into the greenery. Extracted from web-link: Affiliated with the Shokokuji school of the Rinzai sect. Built in 1397 as a country villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408: 3rd shogun of the Muromachi period). His son had the villa converted into a temple named Rokuon-ji. A three-storied structure with a four-sided roof meeting at a point the Golden Pavilion was destroyed through arson in 1950 and rebuilt in 1955. The pond garden also laid out in 1397 is a Special Historic Site and Place of Special Scenic Beauty. Sekkatei the Teahouse is celebrated especially for the nandina-wood pillar supporting the alcove. Nandina grows very slowly so a pillar of this circumference came from a venerable tree. In December 1994 the temple was registered as part of the World Cultural Heritage. Entrance Fee : 400 Yen The tea (foamy green tea and a Japanese sweet) cost 500 Yen.

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  • Address: Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) (kinkakuji temp
  • Phone: 075-461-0013
  • Directions: City Bus: Kinkakujimichi and Kinkakujimae -walk 2 min. Direct bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station.
  • Website: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Kinkakuji - Golden Pavilion
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  • Updated By naruto on January 30, 2005
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  • Kinkakuji - Kyoto
    Kinkakuji
    by naruto
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    This is a must-visit for any first-timers to Kyoto. Kinkakuji is noteworthy for its rather magnificent Kinkaku or Golden Pavilion in its golden splendor, and the pond on which it sits surrounds it in a very tranquil setting. Kinkakuji's official name is actually Rokuonji. But the Golden Pavilion has given the temple the more popular name of Kinkaku-ji. It was constructed in the 12th century as a new residence for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu upon retirement. When he passed away, it was converted into a Zen temple. The Golden Pavilion houses several sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in real gold. The present building dates from 1955, because a fire, set by a crazy monk, destroyed the original building in 1950. Kinkakuji is a UNESCO World Heritage site. NOTE: You can't exactly get close enough to examine the gold on the architecture as it is cordoned off. But the Japanese being the way they are - detailed and covering all grounds - had created various points at which you will have a great photo-op with the pavilion in the background. Visit my Kinkakuji & Ginkakuji Travelogue Hours: 9am- 5pm. Open year round. Entrance fees: 400 yen for general public 300 yen for primary and middle school students

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  • Directions: Bus 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji-michi stop. Or bus 59 or 12 at Kinkakuji-mae stop.
  • Website: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): The Golden Pavilion
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  • Updated By Pixiekatten on January 17, 2007
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  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto
    by Pixiekatten, 1 more photos
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    This temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994. Kinkakuji is really only the name of the main building, there used to be more buildings here and the proper name is Rokuon-ji Temple. The other ones got destroyed but the garden however, remains as it was in former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 Admission: 500 Yen Kinkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station. A faster variant is taking the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station from where the temple can be reached in a short bus or taxi ride. Closest bus stops are Kinkakuji-michi or Kinkakuji-mae.


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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Shining temple
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  • By AyurinHiro on June 12, 2004
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  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto
    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    by AyurinHiro
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  • Address: Kinkaku-ji cho, Kita ward,Kyoto City
  • Directions: North west part of Kyoto City. You can go there easily by bus. In this temple, there's a Japanese tea house. You can experience Japanese green tea and Japanese sweet in a Japanese room. (500 yen)
  • Website: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Beautiful and Not Just For the Golden Pavillion
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  • By giampiero6 on October 13, 2003
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  • Beautiful Golden Pavillion - Kyoto
    Beautiful Golden Pavillion
    by giampiero6
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    the Golden Pavillion...beautiful for its placement on a serene lake amid pine trees in not my favorite example of Japanese temple-dom. I prefer the simple and more natural setttings, but the entire complex is quite beautiful for the gardens, walks, and especially the tea garden where you can take a break, drink green tea, and relax from the hustle and bustle of school groups and tourists.


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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Golden temple (Kinkaku-ji)
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  • By devmicha on May 8, 2004
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  • Dave and Kate. Kate's cam - Kyoto
    Dave and Kate. Kate's cam
    by devmicha
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    Aside from the actual "Golden Hall" there is a lovely walk with Garden's, a tea house, a waterfall and several smaller shrines.

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  • Address: Kitao-ji Dori near Nishio-ji Dori
  • Directions: This is near the smaller Daimonji in North western Kyoto City. You cango by bus or by bicycle. Catching a bus from Downtown or Kyoto Station just take the bus that says to KINKAKUJI!

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Golden Pavillion--- Tea Shrine
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  • By giampiero6 on October 13, 2003
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  • Some of the Wedding Party Enjoying Tea - Kyoto
    Some of the Wedding Party
    Enjoying Tea
    by giampiero6
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    When walking in the grounds of the Golden Pavillion, I highly recommend that you pay the 500 Yen and take a break in the placid and lovely tea shrine. Where they will make delicious frothy green tea (see my Kyoto restaurant tip) and you'll have a small sweet sweet candy. It's a great way to relax in a nice sorrounding and get away for a few moments from the large groups of school children (god bless their little hearts) and relax in a green and shady oasis.


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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Architectual Beauty
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  • Updated By Jabberjenn on February 5, 2004
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  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto
    by Jabberjenn
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    The Golden Pavilion is a must see when visitng Kyoto. This stunning structure is covered in layers of gold leaf and sealed with Japanese lacquer. It sits in the Kyoko-chi, which means "mirror pond". The Golden Pavilion represents the architectural beauty that is found throughout Japan, and its pristine location demonstrates the dedication Japan has for preserving its forests and traditional gardens. This building, without a doubt, is the most beautiful structure I have ever seen. I truly hope others experience the Golden Pavilion, and all of the breathtaking architecture that is so prevalent in Japan.

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Resplendent in gold (Kinkakuji)
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  • By Restless-in-kl on December 28, 2005
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  • Kinkakuji - Kyoto
    Kinkakuji
    by Restless-in-kl, 2 more photos
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    Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji is beautiful especially on a bright sunny day. The sun really sets the pavillion aglow in gold, shimmering beautifully and reflected gloriously by the waters that surround it. Construction began in 1397 as a residence for a retired shogun, but was converted to a Zen temple in 1408. It was burnt down in 1950 and present building has been rebuilt in 1955. Peaceful setting to do a walk about. It's a nice place to have tea and Japanese sweet cake right after the pavillion (US$4.27 per person) Entrance fee : US$3.42 per person Hours : 9.30am - 5pm

  • Directions: From Kyoto Station, go to platform 32 or 33 and take train to Em-machi. Come out of station and turn right at traffic lights. Go across to the left side of road and take bus 205 to Kinkakuji.

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    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): KINKAKUJI TEMPLE
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  • Updated By Adeline_Foo on September 15, 2002
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  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto
    by Adeline_Foo
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    Visit KINKAKUJI or Golden Pavilion. The original name of this temple is called ROKUON-JI TEMPLE. In the 1220's it was the comfortable villa of Kintsune Saionji. Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne in 1394. After three years, he began to build Kitayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. The temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994. This is very beautiful! I have seen so many pictures of this temple from the net or from friends' photo but you really got to go and see it yourself to really appreciate the temple and its peacefulness. I was overwhelmed!

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