Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kinkaku-ji (Kinkaku Temple), also known as Rokuon-ji, is a stunning Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. It was built in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Muromachi period, as his villa.

Interestingly, Kinkaku-ji isn’t its official name; the correct name is Rokuon-ji.
However, due to the renowned “Kinkaku” adorned with gold leaf in Rokuon-ji, the temple is commonly referred to as Kinkaku-ji.

Kinkaku is a building with its second and third floors covered in gold leaf, and the brilliance of this gold leaf reflects the temple on the surrounding pond, attracting many people.

Kinkaku-ji serves as a symbol of Japan's rich history and culture, and its profound beauty and historical significance continue to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. Kinkaku-ji was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1994. It is undoubtedly a must-visit destination when exploring the city of Kyoto.

The architectural style of the Kinkaku varies on each floor— the first floor follows a nobleman's residential style, the second floor, a warrior's residence, and the third floor features a Chinese architectural style. The gold leaf is applied to the second and third floors.

The amount of gold used during the initial construction of the Kinkaku remains unclear. However, the present-day structure incorporates approximately 20 kilograms of gold. In addition, while typical gold leaf measures 0.1 micrometers in thickness, the current Kinkaku-ji employs double layers of gold leaf, each approximately five times thicker.

Kinkaku-ji is attractive any time of the year, but it is especially recommended in autumn and winter.

In autumn, the leaves are at their peak, and you can see the vivid colors of red and gold.
The peak foliage season usually ranges from mid to late November, but it's advisable to check annually as it may vary.

In winter, you can see a snowy landscape, and the Golden Pavilion shining in the snow is quite surreal.
However, these periods tend to be highly crowded, so it's advisable to go on weekdays or in the morning.