World Cultural Heritage Series~Kinkaku-ji Temple
#100 Ways to Travel
Kinkakuji Temple ~ "All appearances are false. Destruction is the burnt sacrifice of beautiful things"
📖History: It was purchased by the third Japanese Shogun "Ashikaga Yoshimitsu" from the "Kitayama Family". Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was a devout Buddhist and used it as a place for his own practice. He pasted gold foil on the exterior of the building, so it was called "Kinkakuji Temple". It is also known as "Rakonji Temple". It is the only remaining site of the "Kitayama Culture" and is listed as a national treasure by the government. The "Shariden" inside represents the "Pure Land of Bliss" in the ideal world, making all visiting travelers feel like they are in the Buddhist fairyland! However, the interior is not open to the public, so you can only view it from a distance. It is now one of the important cultural symbols of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism!
Yukio Mishima: I once wrote the book "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion", which describes an arson case in 1950 called the "Kinkaku-ji Arson Incident". The story tells of a monk who lost himself because of his obsession with the beauty of the Golden Pavilion, so he burned it to ashes with a fire. This story is not fictional but a true adaptation! ! Later, the famous Japanese 🇯🇵 TV animation "Ikkyu-san" also often appeared in the scenes of Kinkakuji🎬~
👀Seven must-see attractions:
"Shariden": It is the location of the "Golden Pavilion". It is a three-story building. The hall contains the relics of later monks such as Sakyamuni. On the top of the building is a phoenix plated with gold🐦🔥, which is very spectacular!
"Yukaitei": Located on a small hill in the temple, the building is not big but you can have a panoramic view of the "Shariden" and "Kyoko Pond" at the same time. "Yukaitei" originally means "to enjoy the excellent view of Kinkakuji Temple under the sunset from the tea room", which is a very famous "Yotozuki" architectural style in the Edo period of Japan~
"Kyoko Pond": The pond in front of Kinkakuji is the Mirror Lake. When the weather is clear, you can see the reflection of Kinkakuji Temple. The whole golden scenery is dazzling! !
It is said that Jinghu Pond was built in imitation of the "Seven Treasures Pond" in the Paradise. There are many small islands in the pond, which are called "Awara Island". It is a rare and beautiful sight! !
"Rikushu no Matsu": The tree is about 600 years old. According to legend, it was specially built to look like a ship by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was planted by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu himself. The bow of the "Rikushu no Matsu" faces west, symbolizing the journey to the Western Pure Land! ! It is also one of the "Three Famous Pines in Kyoto" and is definitely not to be missed!
"Fudo Hall": Two statues of Fudo Myo-o are enshrined here, both of which are important cultural properties. One is the "Ishifudo Myo-o" made by Master Kukai, and the other is a wooden sculpture of the "Fudo Myo-o" made during the Kamakura period. The hall is only open to the public on February 3 and August 16 every year! ! : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
How to play it by an expert:
"Wish Candles 🕯️": They are sold at Fudo-do. There are business, marriage, study, family, and health candles. Choose one you like 💕 and light it. Each candle costs only 50 yen. It is very healing to watch with the view of Kinkaku-ji Temple!
"Ikkyu-san Ema": In addition to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu who once lived in Kinkaku-ji, the famous monk Ikkyu also lived here! ! They often compete with each other in wits and have a deep bond. Isn't it very interesting! !
🚴Transportation:
1. Kyoto Station - take 205 Oto Karasuma Nanajo - Kakuji-michi
2. Gion - Municipal Bus No. 12🚌 - Kinkakuji-michi
3. Randen Arashiyama Station - Nishi-oji-sanjo Station - transfer to bus "Municipal Bus No. 205 Oto Nishi-oji-sanjo" - Kinkakuji-michi
4. Midosuji Line "Namba" - Nishinakaji Minami - transfer to Hankyu Line to "Nishi-in" - transfer to bus "Nishi-oji-shijo" - Kinkakuji-michi
📍Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
🕰️Business hours: 09:00-17:00
💰Average consumption:
Entry fee: 500 yen (300 yen for students)
💞Recommendation reason:
1. World Cultural Heritage, why don't you come to me! !
2. It is an important holy place for Buddhism, and it is not to be missed for Buddhist travelers~
3. This place witnessed the history of the Muromachi shogunate. If you are interested in Japanese culture and history, you can come here to dig for treasures~~
4. The Guanyin inside is only opened once every 33 years, and the two Myowang in Fudo Hall are only open for two days a year. Such a rare opportunity must not be missed❗️
#World Cultural Heritage
#Kinkakuji
#Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
#Ikkyu Monk
#Kyoto Tourism
#Buddhist Culture