Kinkaku-ji Temple: Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji Temple: Temple of the Golden Pavilion

There are places that would make you feel something different in your body when you go there and for me this is one of them; it's the most scenic temple I've ever laid my eyes on. Every part of me of was smiling and dancing when I finally took a glimpse of the famous golden pavilion. I guess gold has a magic on me.

I usually take pictures before enjoying the scene but at that moment I just stood there looking at the temple sometimes interrupted by local and foreign tourists taking pictures. I think this has the highest number of crowd that I ever visited. 

The temple  is a Zen Buddhist and houses relics of Buddha.

The garden and buildings were said to represent the Pure Land of Buddha. 

The temple is not really made of gold but is covered with gold foil on lacquer on the upper two levels and on the top of the roof is a shining phoenix. The first and second level are built in Japanese temple style while the top level is built in Chinese style.

The pavilion is surrounded by a pond, that reflects the building, and small islands.

One of the islands surrounding the pavilion.

The garden is listed as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

Chinese style gate.

Stone sculpture at the entrance.

Priests' living quarters.

An area where visitors can rest.

The temple was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.

How to get there:

Coming from Ryoan-ji temple, take City bus 12 or 59 and get off at Kinkaku-ji michi.

From Kyoto station, take City bus 101 or 205.  Alternatively, you can use the subway Karasuma Line and get off at Kitaoji bus terminal. Take bus 101 or 205.

Opening Hours and fees: 

Opening Hours: 0900H - 1700H(No closing days)
Fees: 400 yen

Website: Kinkaku-ji Temple (Japanese website)

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji temple houses the most famous zen rock garden in Japan which was the simplest garden I've seen - it consist of fifteen rocks laid out in raked white gravel. The garden is an example of kare sansui (dry landscape) style. The rocks were arranged such that at any angle or point you look at, you could only see 14 rocks.

View from the platform of the rock garden.

There was less crowd during our visit so I took the time to sit on the platform and look at the garden. I've read in some reviews that this garden isn't worth the visit - that there's nothing to see or experience. I'm glad I didn't believe what I read.

Ryoan-ji rock garden.

I took my time watching the garden and just forget everything else. I never thought that such simple arrangement of rocks and pebbles is very relaxing to look at. The sun was also helping because it was freezing that time.

There are no records of when the garden was constructed and its meaning is also not clear which makes it more mysterious. I guess the meaning of the garden depends on your perception, on what you feel when looking at it. What I realized here is a lot of things in life is simple yet most of us make it complicated although you also have the option of not thinking what this garden means - just relax and enjoy its simplicity.

The temple also boasts beautiful and stunning gardens.

How to get there:

Coming from Ninnaji Temple, take City bus 59 and get off at Ryoanji mae.

Opening Hours and fees: 

Opening Hours: 0800H - 1700H (Mar - Nov), 0830H-1630H (Dec-Feb)
Fees: 500 yen (Adult), 300 Yen (Children under 15)

Website: Ryoanji Temple