Today, I introduce Kinkaku-ji temple, one of the most famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto.
"Kinkaku-ji" is a kind of nickname, and its official name is "Rokuon-ji". It is too famous that Buddha became enlightened under the lime tree, located in the forest garden "Rokuyaon" in India. It is said that the temple was named mixed from this “Rokuyaon” and the monk name of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga’s "Rokuon-in", the founder of the temple.
Kinkaku (Shariden) is a three-story building, but only the second and third layers are covered with gold leaf. From the inside of the three layers to the phoenix on the roof is luxurious with gold leaf. At the time of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, it was used as a villa for him, who was retired from Shogunate.
《Entrance/ Buy a Unique Entrance Ticket》
First, buy an entrance ticket and go inside!
Kanauji’s ticket is a paper amulet, which are popular with tourists. The paper amulet reads, "Kinkaku Shariden Guardian." It's nice that you can get the paper amulet by visiting Kinkakuji. Take your paper home with care! The entrance time is from 9:00 to 17:00 and is open all year round. The admission fee is 400 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
《Shariden/Golden Pavilion》
As you enter, you can see the golden pavilion in the back of the Kyokochi (mirror lake pond)!
Kinkakuji was repainted and gilded in 1987, and the roof was repaired in 2003. Admire the brilliant building that does not seem to be more than 30 years old. And the phoenix is on the top of the Kinkakuji. I remember the phrase "This gold phoenix shines wings and flies in time forever" expressed by Yukio Mishima in the novel "Kinkakuji".
It is said that the shogun might have shown more power than the aristocrats, because the first layer was made of “Shindenzukuri (sleeping construction), the second layer was made of “Bukezukuri (samurai construction), and the third layer was of Zen sect style. It was repaired in the Meiji era, and it remained as it was even after the war. However, it was burned down by the arson of a monk who was also a model of Yukio Mishima's "Kinkakuji" and Mizukami's "Kinkakuji Enjyo".
The clay wall surrounding Kinkakuji is a little yellowish and bright in color. If you look closely, it has five lines. This shows the temple status, which means that it is a prestigious temple.
You can see that the gold leaf is wrapped up to even the back of the eaves at Kinkaku (Shariden), which is the reason why Rokuonji is called Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). The Kinkaku floating on the pond is of course beautiful, but you can see the most beautiful figure from the right side along the pond.
《Kyokochi Pond/Beautiful Reflection of Golden Temple》
The garden of Kinkakuji is a famous garden that represents the Muromachi period, designated as a special historic site and a special scenic spot in Japan. Look at the "Inverted Kinkakuji" reflected in Kyokochi Pond, a pond of fountain-style garden that expresses the paradise! Let's take a leisurely stroll through the magnificent and beautiful garden with the view of Mt. Kinugasa.
The beauty of Kinkakuji reflected in Kyokochi Pond is wonderful not only when exposed to the sun, but also during snowfall. Snow falls is hard to see in Kyoto, so you will be overwhelming by the breathtaking beauty when you could see it at the right time.
Autumn leaves are also wonderful, but winter is the most beautiful of the four seasons. Even in the cold winter of Kyoto, the shining beauty of the snow-covered Kinkakuji is unforgettable once you see it. Because Kinkakuji is facing South, so it melts when the time shifts, and the original beauty is reduced by half. Be sure to check in at the same time as opening the gate, and check the amount of snowfall at night.
The beauty of Kinkakuji reflected in Kyokochi Pond is wonderful not only when exposed to the sun, but also during snowfall. Snow falls is hard to see in Kyoto, so you will be overwhelming by the breathtaking beauty when you could see it at the right time.
Autumn leaves are also wonderful, but winter is the most beautiful of the four seasons. Even in the cold winter of Kyoto, the shining beauty of the snow-covered Kinkakuji is unforgettable once you see it. Because Kinkakuji is facing South, so it melts when the time shifts, and the original beauty is reduced by half. Be sure to check in at the same time as opening the gate, and check the amount of snowfall at night.
Fudo hall at Kinkaku-ji is said to be very beneficial for eye diseases, and even today people suffering from "eye diseases" come to visit every day. The main god of this hall is the “Ishi fudo Myo-o” made by Kobo Daishi himself. Every year, the door is open during Setsubun and “Daimonji Okuribi”, and you can worship the god.
At Ryumon Waterfall near Kyokochi Pond, you can see the carp stones arranged in connection with the Chinese tale "Touryumon". Ginga-sen springs, still overflows, are the water used by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu for tea ceremony. It is reported that “Ganga-sui”was used for hand washing.
At "Hojo Garden", which is said to have been gardened by the artist Souami, you can see the pine of Rikushu, which Yoshimitsu Ashikaga hand-planted, and the camellia of Kocho Wabisuke. It is said that Kocho Wabisuke was hand-planted by Emperor Go Mizuo, and you can feel the very ambitious Yoshimitsu's particulars everywhere in Kinkakuji.
Anmintaku Pond is north of Hojo, and a small island is floating in the pond. Before becoming Rokuonji, it was owned by the Saionji family, and the white snake was also the guardian deity of the Saionji family. It seems that the family was begging for rain here, and you can see those remnants.
You can see the back of Kinkakuji from "Sekkatei". The sunset over the mountains and the shining light on the Kinkakuji is quaint and wonderful. This teahouse is a Sukiya-style tea room and is a favorite tea room by Shigechika Kanamori, the founder of Sowa tea style.
Why don't you enjoy Japanese sweets and matcha at "Kinkakuji Fudogama Chasho" near Sekkatei?
Outside of the tea house, there are about 10 tea seats where about 5 people can sit. There are also tatami seats inside, so you can taste sweets and match in your favorite style. The Japanese sweet "Kinkaku" has a pattern of Kinkakuji and gold leaf on it. The fee is 500 yen. When you visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, take a break at Kinkaku-ji Fudogama Tea House with a sweet.
《Access to Kinkaku-ji Temple》
【From Kyoto Station】
1.At the bus terminal B2, take the 101 bus “Nijo Castle / Kitano Tenmangu / Kinkakuji” and get off at “Kinkakuji-michi”.
2.At the bus terminal B3, take the 205 bus “Kinkakuji / Kitaoji Bus Terminal”and get off at Kinkakuji-michi.
※About 10 minutes on foot from each bus stop
【From Subway Kyoto Karasuma Line】
Take the subway bound for “Shijo / Karasuma Oike / Kokusai Kaikan” and get off at “Kitaoji Station”. From the Kitaoji Bus Terminal, take the “Express 101”, “Express 102”, “205”, “M1” and get off at “Kinkakuji-michi”. ※About 10 minutes on foot from each bus stop
※About 10 minutes on foot from each bus stop
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