The wooded hills of Kitayama are home to Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), the famous Golden Pavilion. Originally part of a grand retirement villa built by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358–1408) on the site of an earlier aristocratic residence, it was later converted into a Zen temple after his death.
A scholar of Chinese culture, Yoshimitsu infused the pavilion and its gardens with Chinese design elements. The temple’s stunning setting centers around a tranquil lake, dotted with rocks and pine-covered islets, making it one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
Wondering how long to stay in Kyoto to take in its best temples and gardens? Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore both its famous landmarks and quieter corners.
Even the crowds can’t diminish the impact of seeing the temple for the first time – a hint of gold glimpsed though the trees, and then the whole, gleaming apparition floating above the aptly named Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond). If you’re lucky enough to see it against the autumn leaves, or on a sunny winter’s day after a dusting of snow, the effect is doubly striking. Note the different architectural styles of the pavilion’s three floors and the phoenix standing on the shingle roof. It’s an appropriate symbol: having survived all these years, Kinkaku-ji was torched in 1950 by an unhappy monk. The replica was finished in just five years, and in 1987 the building was gilded again, at vast expense. Kinkaku-ji lies on several bus routes, of which the most convenient are #12 and #59.
Going to Kyoto? Prepare for your trip with our guide to the best places to stay in Kyoto.
