Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
About
Originally built in 1397 as the retirement villa of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Kinkaku-ji (the Temple of the Golden Pavilion) has been one of Japan's most recognizable structures for six centuries. The current building is a 1955 reconstruction — the original was burned down by a disturbed monk in 1950 — but its gold leaf exterior, reflected in the perfectly still surface of Kyokochi Pond, creates an image of extraordinary beauty.
Each floor of the pavilion uses a different architectural style: the ground floor is Shinden-zukuri (aristocratic style), the second is samurai style, and the third is Zen Buddhist. The surrounding stroll garden contains stone lanterns, a small tea ceremony house, and carefully composed views across the pond. Arrive at opening (9:00am) to experience the garden before the tour groups arrive. Midweek mornings in autumn (late October-November) offer the most photogenic conditions with fall foliage.