Kinkaku-ji Temple

金閣寺

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as Rokuonji (鹿苑寺), is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950, by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. (The story became the basis for Yukio Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.) The beautiful landscaping and the reflection of the temple on the face of the water make for a striking sight, but keeping the mobs of visitors out of your photos will be a stern test for your framing abilities. Get there early if you can to beat the school groups. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding the pavilion, before emerging into a square crowded with gift shops. It's only a short walk from Ryōan-ji (below), making for an easy pairing (and study in contrasts).

• Built 1397
• Heritage listed

• history
• outdoors
• family

Address

1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku

Getting there

nearest bus stops: Kinkakuji-michi (routes 12, 59, 101, 102, 204, 205) or Kinkakuji-mae (12 and 59)

Hours

Daily 09:00-17:00

Price

Admission fee is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children

Website

shokoku-ji.jp (opens in a new tab)