The beauty of Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji is a two-story, three-level structure. The first floor is made of wood and not covered in gold leaf, while the second and third floors are completely covered in gold leaf, including the railings. The interior of the third floor is also covered in gold leaf (except for the floor). The first floor is a sleeping hall called Hōsui-in, the second floor is a study hall called Chōon-dō, and the top floor is a Tang-style Zen Buddhist hall called Kyūjō-dō, which houses three Amida Buddhas. Kinkaku-ji is a new architectural style that combines sleeping halls with Tang-style architecture, Pure Land and Zen Buddhism, and Buddhist temples with residential buildings. It is a representative building of Kitayama culture, which symbolizes the fusion of traditional aristocratic culture and emerging Zen culture. The roof of Kinkaku-ji is topped with a Chinese-style golden phoenix, and the second and third floors are covered in pure gold leaf. Although we can only view it from a distance, the reflection of Kinkaku-ji in the pond is a sight to behold.