 | Kyoto Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Reviews | Tips 11 - 20 of 88 |  |
 | |  |  | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Rokuon-Ji Temple The Golden Pavillion | Tip Rating:    |  |  | |  |
The golden temple excellent and quiet, is a construction of the 13th century and is it really recommended seeing, if possible with a guided tour.
History: KINKAKU is a popular name for one of the main buildings of the temple, which is properly called Rokuon-ji. In the 1220´s was a confortable villa of Kintsune Saionji.
In the 1930s, Yoshimitsu, the third Shogun of Ashikaga, began building a villa for his retirement. Using very precise calculations for the buildings and grounds, every effort was pursued in order for Yoshimitsu to enjoy a peaceful retirement in a serene, peaceful environment.
Click on image for larger view One of the main buildings was called Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). The elegant three-story building consists of three different types of architecture. The first floor reflects the palace style (Shinden-zukuri), the second floor reflects the samurai- house style(Buke-zukuri), and the top floor reveals the Zen-temple style (Karayo).
Click on image for larger view The entire estate later became known as the Zen temple Rokuonji when Yoshimitsu bequeathed his estate to Muso Kokushi, the first abbot. In 1950, an over-zealous young monk burned the building down in hopes that his sense of aesthetics would reach perfection. In 1955, the pavilion was replicated; then it was renovated and recovered with five layers of gold leaf in 1987. Centered on the shingle roof is a golden Chinese phoenix.
Click on image for larger view The Golden Pavilion sits at the edge of a large pond called Kagamiike (Mirror pond). On a clear, sunny day, the tranquil pond provides a shimmering reflection of the pavilion. As you continue your walk and climb a few steps, you face another small pond (An-min-taku). There is a small island in the pond that contains a small stone pagoda, Hakuja-ni tsuka (the mound in memory of the white snake). There are tea houses and other shrines within the park-like setting. Leave a Comment Address: north-west of the city, easily accesible by bus
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| | | | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Take a deep breath while watching the temple! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The Kinkakuji Temple is one of the most beautiful sight I have ever seen that was built by man. The beauty of the nature compliments the spectacular architecture of the temple. The landscape is such a delight to see what with the colorful reds and yellows of the autumn leaves of the Japanese maple trees. The green bonsai trees are reflected as the sun sets just above the giant pine and maple trees and the sunlight hits the solemn water that is fronting the Kinkakuji temple.
Just imagine what were the people thinking when they built this beautiful temple and how the succeeding generations preserved this ancient work of art. I can only be grateful for the ancestors and the new generations who knew how to preserve this temple in order for me and other people to experience and see how beautiful the temple was!
(Note:This was lifted from the flyer of the Kinkakuji Temple)
History: Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) is a popular name for one of the main buildings of this temple, which is properly 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 Itayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. he indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. After Yoshimitsu;s death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen temple in accorddance with his will. All the buildings of those days came to ruin except Kinkaku. The garden, however, remains as it was in former days and ca be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. Rokuon-ji Temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994.
Points of interest: The name of the pond is Kyoko-chi (Mirror pond). The pond contains many large and small islands. Climbing a few steps, yu stand at the edge of another small pond, An-min-taku. The small stone pagoda on the island is called Hakuha-no-tsuka (the mound in memory of the white snake). Address: Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8361Phone: 075-461-001Directions: From the Kyoto Station, get the bus #100. Get off at the Kinkakuji Temple.
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| | | | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): A World Cultural Heritage - Rokuon-ji Temple | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The bus ride from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji was long, it was approximately 50 minutes! On the day I visited it, the temple was packed with an influx of local and foreign tourists gathered in front of the “Mirror Pond” where the Golden Pavilion stood for their photos taken. The temple’s name Kinkakuji is named after this building but its proper name is Rokuon-ji. Kinkaku consists of three types of architecture – the 1st floor palace style, 2nd floor samurai house style and the 3rd zen temple style. Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. A thicker new coating was reapplied in 1987.
Apart from the golden pavilion, the garden which remains as its original form is worth visiting too. It was found in 1220’s and is a typical zen style garden. I can’t say I fully appreciate the beauty of rocks sitting in the middle of the pond or the minimal design of such landscape, but I guess if I had a garden, I would have it in zen style too. Besides it is low maintenance, somewhat the combination of water, bamboo, stones and white sand just go beautifully!
There is a classic tea house called Sekka-tei near the exit of the temple where you can pay 500 yen to enjoy a cup of matcha tea and Japanese sweets either outdoor under the bright red umbrellas or indoor on the tatami floor. The settings outdoor with bamboo trees around were beautiful. Leave a Comment Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-kuPhone: 075 4610013Directions: 5 mins. walk from Kinkakuji bus stopWebsite: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/kinkakuji/
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