Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺
Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto. The top two floors of the temple are covered in gold leaf. The temple was originally a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and it became a Zen temple after his death in 1408.
Source: japan-guide.com ↗, read 2026-09-10
How people walk it
- Somon (Main gate)
- Karamon (Chinese-style gate)
- Ashiharajima, in Kyoko-chi pondThe central Kyoko-chi pond contains islands of various sizes, such as Ashihara-jima, and famous rock formations.
- Shariden Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion)The lacquered second and third stories are adorned with pure gold leaf, and on top is the shining phoenix.
- Gingasen (Ginga Spring)Continuing past the Pavilion is the Gingasen, said to be where Yoshimitsu got the water for his tea.
- Sekkatei (Old Tea House)After you climb the mountain path past Anmin-taku, you will reach Sekka-tei.
Getting there — City Bus: get off at Kinkakuji-michi Stop (No.12, No.59, No.205, No.M1). Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8361 Japan.
Read off shokoku-ji.jp (2026-09-16)
