Kinkakuji - The Golden Pavilion



The beautiful Kinkakuji



Another amazing building to see in Kyoto is the Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion. This building is actually covered in gold leaf.

It is located within an estate and was originally a villa for a Shogun. The Pavilion overlooks a pond which has strategically placed mini islands with perfectly sculptured pine trees adorning each one.

You enter the estate and immediately you have the best viewing point of the shimmering golden pavilion.

You aren't actually allowed into the Golden Pavilion, but i think that actually adds to some of the mystery of what it would be like to live in there.






A mini island in the pond with pine trees



The footpath leads you to the left of the pavilion and around to the back of it. The path snakes around the estate and you walk through a carefully planned garden with all types of trees until you arrive at a group of stone carvings which everyone is throwing coins at. I figured I'd give it a try and pulled out some coins.

On my first toss i got it straight into the center bowl. Some Japanese men next to me threw their arms up and shouted at me! They then came over to shake my hand! They kept uttering 'good luck, good luck!' So hopefully I will have some good luck from now on!


The coin toss for good luck.

 At the top of the winding hill, there is a tiny tea house which you can look into.

The path ends with a long descent to the exit of the estate. You can only imagine the elegant dignitaries that must have walked this path while visiting the Shogun with their silken robes and soft padded shoes.

At the exit, there are a few souvenir stalls and one of them sells green tea ice cream - even in winter!

The exit path.

The Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion is definitely worth a visit. It is unique in Japan, and the world, and is a quiet place with beautiful surroundings and a peaceful atmosphere.

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