The Backpack Adventures

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

Located in Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture in Japan, Kiyomizu-dera Temple ( 清水寺 ) is an independent Buddhist temple. It is part of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage of Western Japan. Officially called Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera , the temple was founded in the year 798. Its present buildings were constructed in 1633 under the order of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The name Kiyomizu came from the Japanese words kiyo 清 which means clean or pure and mizu 水 which means water. It got its name from the waterfalls within the complex. A vintage photo of the temple (photo from www.gutenberg.org) Nio-mon gate A closer photo of Nio-mon gate Kiyomizu-dera Temple is famous for the main hall that has a large veranda which is jutting on the side of a hill and is supported by tall wooden pillars. It is said that it was built without the use of a single nail. The veranda offers an impressive panoramic view of the temple complex and the city.  As seen from the pagoda area The