Kinkakuji Temple is known as the Gold Pavilion. However, its formal and true name is Rokuon-ji. If you look at Unesco’s list of sites they list this temple as Rokuon-ji. Kinkakuji was built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and covered in gold to display great presence. Kinkakuji was destroyed by fire in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955 better than its ever looked before.
Why is it called the Gold Pavillion?
The temple is covered in gold leaf. However, the first floor is not gold at all.
Temple Grounds
The grounds of Kinkakuji are great to wander through. The path takes you around the back of the temple and up the stone steps and a slight hill to the Shinun Shrine where there is also a shopping opportunity. Sample some bean curb sweets here too.
All over Japan’s famous sites you will see loads of school children on field trips, much more than you may be used to seeing anywhere else in the world. Kinkakuji is no different, in fact its the most popular. Westerners are guaranteed to be approach by kids wanting to practice their English. Questions such as “where are you from?” are regular. You may even be asked to take pictures and sign autographs.
Popularity: 15% [?]
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