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Kyoto Golden Pavilion

KinKaKuji is a Zen Buddhist Temple. Formerly called Rokuonji, it was the retirement villa of shogun Askikaga Yoshimitsu. He bequeathed it to the Buddhist Rinzai sect in 1408 to become a Zen Temple.

This is how our guide helped us to remember when to be back on the bus and where to find the bus. You will see from some of the videos that we stayed together as we walked through the gardens, adhearing to the paths.

The temple has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1955 after it was destroyed by a 1950 fire that was started by a mad monk. There are many other buildings in the temple complex including residences for the monks that currently live there

Let’s take a virtual walk with our guide up to the entrance. <These videos were captured in high definition so you should be able to view them in full-screen mode.>

Now we are ready for the walk through the garden to the Golden Pavillion.

We cannot get very close to the pavilion but the path does lead us past it.

The gardens and paths around the ponds are worth a look. Listen to the little waterfall.

The final part of the path leads us out to the exit and souvenir vendors.

Spring is a beautiful time with early blossoming trees and shrubs. We chose this time to see lots of cherry blossoms. They only last for about a week. What is blossoming in spring near where you live?

– Where do you want to go today? –

Published by

Doug Jarvie

9 thoughts on “Kyoto Golden Pavilion”

  2. What gorgeous photos and so relaxing to look at them! I love the main blog picture of the water and pavillion, I could sit on the bank and just relax while looking at all the beauty.

    Reply

    1. As striking as the pavilion is with it’s gold leaf finish, with all of the beauty of nature surrounding it, it looks like a pimple on a beautiful face.

      Reply

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