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Kyoto 05/2003

Day 1 - Kinkakuji / Ryoanji-Temple / Gion

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Kinkakuji (Rokuonji Temple)
On the way to the temple...

Maybe this temple is the most famous one in Japan. The Kinkakuji (= golden pavillon) is for sure one of the most eye-catching buildings of Japan. Especially when you visit on a sunny day like we did (in contrast with 1997 when we were here for the first time)...!

Shogun Yoshimitsu built the pavillon originally in 1397 for his life after retirement.

Unfortunately it burnt down in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955 (the story behind it can be found in the famous novel “The Golden Pavillon” by Yukio Mishima). With its gold gilding completely restored recently, the pavillion today looks quite the same as the original 600 years ago...
Not only in Europe people throw coins for good luck
Chiko at the back-side of the pavillon
Kinkakuji and Japanese maple Admission ticket for Kinkakuji

The lake in front of the pavillon is called kyoko, meaning “mirror lake”, and is supposed to double the effect of the Kinkakuji.
The area around the pavillon became a Rinzai-Zen-Temple after the death of the retired Shogun in 1408. On the  temple premises

there are beautuful gardens and other buildings, such as tea houses, one of which  still offers you the enjoyment of green tea and Japanese o-kashi (= sweets).
Day II Day III
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