Kinkaku-ji | The Golden Pavilion of Kyoto's World Heritage Site, Rokuon-ji

Did you know that the official name of Kinkaku-ji is Rokuon-ji? Located in the Kita Ward of Kyoto City, this temple belongs to the Rinzai sect's Shokoku-ji school and is renowned for its beautiful golden Shariden (commonly known as Kinkaku). In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." Kinkaku-ji was originally a villa built by Saionji Kintsune during the Kamakura period. Later, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, acquired the site and rebuilt it as the "Kitayama-dono" in 1397. After Yoshimitsu's death, the residence became the Zen temple "Rokuon-ji." Highlights: Shariden (commonly known as Kinkaku): This three-story structure features different architectural styles on each floor. The first floor is built in the Shinden style, the second floor in the Buke style, and the third floor in the Zen style. The exterior walls are covered in gold leaf, captivating visitors with its beauty. Kyoko-chi: The pond in front of Kinkaku reflects the seasonal scenery on its surface, making it a popular spot for photography. Location: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8361, Japan Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Admission Fee: Adults: 400 yen, Children: 300 yen Access: About 40 minutes by City Bus No. 101 or No. 205 from Kyoto Station, get off at "Kinkakuji-michi" bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes.