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Kinkaku-ji Temple
October 18, 2008 | 25 Comments
This is Jai from Kyoto, Japan. Yesterday I rented a bicycle and toured the city with my little point-and-shoot camera. This was one of my stops.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple) is the informal name of Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple) in Kyoto, Japan. It was originally built in 1397 to serve as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, as part of his estate then known as Kitayama. It was his son who converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzai school. The temple was burned down twice during the Onin War.
The Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku, is a three-story building on the grounds of the temple. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha’s Ashes). The building is often linked or contrasted with Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion Temple, which is also located in Kyoto. (Source)
The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden (kaiyu-shiki). The pond in front of it is called Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond). There are many islands and stones on the pond that represent the Buddhist creation story.
Filed Under: Japan, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto, NaBloWriMo, Photo Essays, TRAVEL
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25 Comments
Wow. That’s gorgeous. I’d love to visit Japan someday.
I’ve been to Kyoto twice, and neither time was this temple open. It’s one of many reasons I will keep returning to this beautiful city.
There is something so serene about these photos. I feel the stress slipping away…
take a bike ride along the philosopher’s walk, Tetsugaku-no-michi.. it’s lovely!
wow…really good pictures…feeling nostalgic about the serenity of the place, people…aaaaaa Japan..here i come!!!
I love the first 2 pics..so serene.
The whole post in IE is shifted in left side (picture and text ), but looks fine in FF
The pavilion is shining through the nature! Thanks to share the beauty of Japan!
Jai, these pics are breath-taking! The luscious greenery and beautifully built temple reminds me of parents native land!
Jai,those are some really serene pictures..thanks for sharing.
Serene… and here i am finished reading memories of geisha for 2nd time and imagining how kyoto is… ~sighs~
I visited there in January – thrilled to see it here!
Wow really beautiful.
One of my places i would love to visit is japan.
You’re in Japan?! Jealouseeee! Keep snappin’ (as if you needed to be reminded) and I’ll keep on looking forward to your posts!
Hi,Really great pics,i have never seen like this before…..
Oooh, I’ve never been to Japan before. How LOVELY. Thank you for sharing!!
so lovely! looking forward to more lovely pics from Japan. wish I could go there someday:-)
hmmm. these stunning pics are making me nostalgic about Japan. We’ve lived there for 3 yrs and bagged so many wonderful memories. We visited Kyoto once and saw this beautiful golden temple and got amazed at its magnificence. Thanks for reminding all those places Jai! The pictures are breathtaking!
Feeling of being one with nature and at peace with oneself! Sigh!
Awesome pics, thank U!
Thanks for taking us along on your trip through your photos. Very enjoyable.
Happy travels,
Paz
Ultimate serenity! Thanks for taking us too Jai
Beautiful Pictures Jai..Never been there but your pics made me feel as though I am in Japan..thanks for that
I’d love to hear more about that thatched(?) roof on the simpler building you shot. What an interesting approach to providing shelter.
i have taken few more shots of that type of roof…i was already planning to write a bit about that!! It is just made of bamboo but there is nothing binding the bamboo (other than maybe strings which I couldn’t see). Even in torrential rains it doesn’t leak.
-Jai
I wish I could see this place with my own eyes…. Although I have to admit, with your pictures and writing it almost feels like I’m also there.
My first autumn in 7 years not spent in Japan and your pictures bring pangs of homesickness. The light is so nostalgic. I second the recommendation of the Philosopher’s Way. It goes along the mountain overlooking Kyoto and Ginkakuji and is close enough for you to take breaks at little noodle shops along the way, and you end the trip at the large and old Nanzenji, not far from the Heian Shrine.
The home of the tea ceremony and site of a lovely rock garden, right? Lovely. There was a nice noodle shop near there when I was there. The photos are very nice.