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Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji (GPS: 35.03937, 135.72924) is arguably the most famous temple in Kyoto, and one of the most iconic images of Japan. It is regarded as an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design. As with the Ginkaku-ji, the name Kinkaku-ji is a nickname, while its actual name is Rokuon-ji.

The centerpiece of this garden is the pavilion, a three-storey structure with its upper two storeys covered with pure gold leaf. At the top of the pavilion is a bronze phoenix. The Kinkaku-ji functions as a place where the relics of the Buddha's ashes are housed. The building became a model for later temple buildings including the Ginkaku-ji and Shokoku-ji.

Kinkaku-ji was built by the third Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimitsu (1358-1408). It stands on the site of a villa belonging to a power statesman, Saionji Kintsune. Yoshimitsu bought the estate in 1397 for his retirement villa. After his death, his son converted it into a Zen temple, according to his wishes.

The Kinkaku-ji was destroyed in a fire started by a demented monk, Hayashi Yoken, who afterwards attempted suicide, but was apprehended and sent to prison. He was eventually released on account of insanity, but he died less than a year after his release, from a combination of other illnesses.

Kinkaku-ji in winter, KyotoKinkaku-ji in winter, Kyoto
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kinkaku-Snow-6.jpg
Author: Fg2
photo licensing

Kinkaku-ji is on the Map of Kyoto

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.
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