A temple adorned with gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion)
I left Ginkaku-ji(銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) and went to get a bus
I took bus number 102 from Ginkakuji-michi (銀閣寺道) bus stop to get to Kinkaku-ji(Golden Pavilion).
Entrance to Kinkaku-ji.
Kinkaku-ji was a temple with a Japanese-style garden and a pavilion built on level ground.
Unlike Ginkaku-ji, it was convenient to explore since the temple was situated on flat terrain.
Kinkaku-ji Entrance Ticket
The Kinkaku-ji entrance ticket had a similar appearance to the Ginkaku-ji entrance ticket, resembling a talisman.
The entrance fee was 400 yen.
The pavilion at Kinkaku-ji, even from a distance, was impressive with its gold leaf exterior.
Upon entering the temple grounds, the golden pavilion immediately caught my eye.
In front of the pavilion, there was a small lake, and the reflection of the golden color in the water was truly impressive.
Up close, the gold leaf reflecting the light was almost blinding.
It seemed to be painted gold rather than actual gold.
There were pavilions by the lake where visitors could rest.
It felt more like a villa than a temple.
At the rear of the temple, there was a small waterfall, and the garden layout didn’t seem significantly different from Ginkaku-ji.
However, it appeared larger and better maintained compared to Ginkaku-ji.
Tourists tossing coins to make wishes.
This sight was familiar both in Korea and Japan. It somehow felt comforting.
Sacred stone
I’m not sure of its significance, but they were protecting a sacred stone.
In Korea, there are many temples with various buildings coexisting in the same space.
Kyoto’s temples felt somewhat similar to Korean temples, yet they had a different vibe.
It gave more of a feeling of scattered buildings within a large garden than a traditional temple atmosphere.
What is this place for?
As the sun was setting slowly, there was a somewhat eerie feeling in some areas.
Inside the temple, there was a shrine. The shrine here had the most temple-like appearance among all the places I had visited.
With this image in mind, I left Kinkaku-ji.
Kinkaku-ji bus stop
From the Kinkaku-ji bus stop, I took bus number 204 towards Nijo Castle.
Dec. 14, 2009.