Kyoto｜Combining the Ultimate Peak of the Tang Dynasty and Kamakura Shiondo, Kinkakuji Temple was reborn from the ashes after two fires

When thinking of the most magnificent building in Kyoto, many people would immediately think of the Kinkaku-ji Temple. In fact, its official name is Rokuon-ji Temple. In the first year of the Oei era, the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was awarded the Kitayama House. Yoshimitsu carried out a large-scale renovation and built the Shariden into a magnificent building. At that time, it was called the Kinkakuden, which was the earliest appearance of Rokuon-ji Temple. Later, it was used as a place for Zen practice. After Ashikaga Yoshimitsu passed away, the national master Muso suggested that the temple be named after Yoshimitsu, and thus the name Rokuon-ji came into being. However, Kinkaku-ji Temple had an unfortunate fate and was burned down during the Onin War. In 1935, according to legend, a trainee monk burned down Kinkaku-ji Temple because it was so beautiful that he did not want to share it with others, and all the Buddha statues, scriptures and the wooden statue of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu were destroyed. The description in the works of writer Yukio Mishima makes this event even more legendary. The Kinkaku-ji Temple we see today was rebuilt in its original form in 1955, and the entire hall was decorated with gold foil in 1987. No matter it is spring cherry blossoms, autumn maples or winter snow, travelers love to take pictures of the reflections of Kinkakuji Temple and Kagami Lake Pond. In fact, the building itself is more interesting. The first floor, Hosuin, is built in the style of a Japanese palace bedroom. The second floor, Chaoondo, is mainly in the Kamakura samurai architectural style. The third floor, the Ultimate Roof, shows the Chinese Tang Dynasty style, with a pagoda-shaped top structure and is cleverly matched with a golden phoenix that symbolizes auspiciousness. It now belongs to the Rinzai sect Shokokuji school. The Fudo Hall enshrines the Ishifudo Myo-o, which is said to have been made by Kobo Daishi. 📍Address: 〒603-8361 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 🚗Take bus 101, 111 or 205 and get off at Kinkakuji Road at Kyoto Station #2月好地方2025