Kinkakuji
Temple of The Golden Pavilion

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site Country: Japan Continent: Asia Constructed: 1397 Kinkakuji or "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" is a Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, Japan. The Japanese term Kinkakuji means the temple of the Golden Pavilion. Rokuonji (Deer Garden Temple) is the formal name of the temple complex in which the Golden Pavilion is located. Kinkakuji is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden and it extends over a large pond called Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) that reflects the building. The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design. The Muromachi period is considered to be a classical age of Japanese garden design.

In Kinkakuji's history, around 1397, the villa was purchased from the Saionji Kintsune, a powerful statesman by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and it was transformed into the Kinkakuji complex. When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple by his son, according to his wishes. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex.

The Golden Pavilion is a three-story building on the site of the Rokuonji temple complex. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf. Each floor of the Kinkakuji represents three distinct styles of architecture which are shinden, samurai, and zen, specifically on each floor. The first floor was built in shinden-zukuri style used for palace buildings during the Heian Period. Statues of the Buddha and Yoshimitsu are located on the first floor. The second floor was built in the style of buke-zukuri used in samurai residences. The second floor also consists of a Buddha Hall and a shrine dedicated to the Kannon Bodhisattva. The third floor is built in traditional chinese Zen style, also known as zenshu-butsuden-zukuri. The roof is in the shape of a pyramid. The building is topped with a golden phoenix.

Kinkakuji is one of 17 locations which comprise the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. Being one of the most popular ancient buildings in Japan, it attracts a large number of visitors annually.

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