Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Located in Kita-ku, Kyoto Prefecture in Japan, Kinkaku-ji Temple ( 金閣寺 ) is a Zen Buddhist temple in the Shokokuji School of the Rinzai Sect. It is famously known to English speaking countries as the Golden Pavilion. Formerly named, Rokuon-ji Temple ( 鹿苑寺 ), Kinkaku-ji Temple is actually a sharply or a Buddhist hall containing relics from Buddha. The temple was built in 1397 and served as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of Kitayama-den. The villa also functioned as an official guesthouse. Emperor Gokomatsu and other members of the nobility once resided in the villa. The history of the temple Entrance to the Golden Pavillion, the Salmon gate The pavilion after it was burnt. (photo from www.tofugu.com) After the death of Yoshimitsu, his will indicated that the villa is converted into a temple. It was named Rokuon-ji which was derived from Rokuon-in-den (Yoshimitsu's name for the next world.) The belfry of the temple Close up