Kinkaku-ji｜Temple of Golden Pavilion｜Reflection of inner Peace

Kinkaku-ji temples means Temple of Golden Pavilion, 

officially known as Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple).

It was one of the Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site.

The entry ticket for the temple is very special which kind of like the Buddhist amulet.

It is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Admission of this temle us 400Yen.

The temple can be reached by taking Kyoto bus to Kinkaku-ji Michi or Kinkaku0ji Mae Bus stop

Kinkaku-ji temple was constructed in Kyoto's northen hill as a part of large villa complex

during the year 1389. The temple was burned in year 1950 and reconstructed again in year 1955.

The temple features different architecture style on every floor where

the first floor was known as Chamber of Dharma Waters.( Heian / Shinden style)

Shitomido is a reticulated shutters that dividing the interior and veranda on the ground floor.

The Shitomido reach halfway to the ceiling in order to allow air ventilation and 

light penetrate into the building.

The second floor was known as Tower of Sound Waves. (Samurai house style)

The third floor is built in Zen style with ornamentation with a chinese phoenix crowns the eaves.

Kinkaku-ji temple is one of the Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan which

integrate structure within the Muromachi Japanese garden in design.

The overall design of the garden was minimalist where a large landscape was recreated in a smaller scale around the temple. 

The pond with the Golden Pavilion and islets large and small, is the center of the garden. Rocks donated by various provincial lords of the period are placed throughout the garden.
Thus, the garden also listed as National Special Historic  Site and Special place of scenic beauty.

There is also other small temple ( Fudo-do temple) in the Kinkaku-ji temple site.

The temple main's image is a stone statue of Buddhist deity Fudo-myo-o (不动明王)
Although normally hidden from public view, the image has long been revered for miraculous powers.

The temple also provide candles for the visitor for praying purposes.

Each candles written chinese calligraphy and representing different wishes.

Lastly, there is one thing that I noticed from most of the temple i visited.

In a UNESCO site, there is still small part of site that is being commercialized

and selling souvenir for the visitors.

Sadly, it is kind of destroying the peacefulness ambiance of the site.

However, we still can see the effort put into the overall setting where 

the stall are designed to blend into the site.

A small hut which sell the amulet and other souvenir for the visitor..

It is actually quite pricey.

An amulet range from 400 yen to 1200 yen.

(still, i bought it.. because i believe it can be my family, love or friend as guardians)