Kinkakuji Temple & Maples

1 Kinkakuji-cho Kita-ku Kyoto

I visited Kinkakuji Temple on Sep.04, 2007.

According to pamphlet,

"Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) is a popular name for one of the main buildings of this temple,
which is properly called Rokuon-ji Temple."
"Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne in 1394.
After 3 years, he began to build Kitayamaden Hall and
he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site.
He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting.
After Yoshimitsu's death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen Temple
in accordance with his will and named Rokuon-ji temple."
"Kinkaku was formally called Shariden Hall.
The elegant, harmonious building consists of three types of architecture.
The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. it is named Hohsui-in.
The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Choh-on-doh Hall.
The 3rd floor is Karayoh style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho.
Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer.
The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles."

Entering at the inner gate, you will see the very Kinkaku, and it's the place for shutter spot for camera.


Kyohko-chi (Miller pond), Kinkaku and maples


Golden Phoenix of Kinkaku & maples


Pine twigs & Kinkaku

Going to the right, I looked back on the shooting location just now.


Kyohko-chi (Miller pond), the shooting location just now, and maples


Phoenix of Kinkaku and red umbrella & flowers

Passing by Kinkaku, you will climb a few steps.


Ginga-sen (The Galaxy Spring) for Tea water


Rigyoseki (Curp Stone) & The Ryumon-taki (Dragon-gate waterfall)

Both Rigyoseki of Saihohji temple and that of Tenryuji temple are also well-known.


Golden Phoenix of Kinkaku against the background of Kinugasa-yama Hill

Climbing a few steps, you will stand at the edge of An-min-taku Pond.


An-min-taku pond & Hakuja-no-tsuka (Stone pagoda)

Passing by An-min-taku Pond, you will reach Sekka-tei Tea House on the hill-top.


The Sekka-tei Tea house & elegant maples

There are so many maples in Kinkakuji temple, you will soon enjoy autumn colors.

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