Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavillion, is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the gold-covered pavillion was converted to a Zen temple after his death. Originally only the ceiling of the top floor was covered in gold, but after its most recent reconstruction in 1955, the entire pavillion was coated with gold. This site demonstrates the luxury that the Shogun of Japan lived in during this period.
The path that takes visitors to the temple wind through gardens that still retain their original design from Yoshimitsu’s days. The gardens include a group of statues that people toss coins at for luck, a tea garden, and Anmintaku Pond, which is said to never dry up.
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| Coin toss statues |
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| Tea garden |
Websites: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-kinkakuji, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
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