Kinkakuji Tourism

Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of the most iconic and celebrated temples in Kyoto, Japan. Officially named Rokuon-ji, the temple was originally the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The temple's top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, which strikingly reflects the sunlight, while its surrounding pond and gardens enhance its picturesque beauty, creating a stunning visual contrast with the natural landscape. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha. Over centuries, the temple complex has witnessed multiple disasters, including being burnt down numerous times during the Onin War and most recently by an arsonist in 1950. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955. Kinkakuji is a great example of the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times.