Kinkakuji Temple 

 

    Affiliated with the Shokokuji school of the Rinzai sect. This building was built in 1397 as a country villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408: 3rd shogun of the Muromachi period). His son had the villa converted into a temple, named Rokuon-ji. A three-storied structure with a four-sided roof meeting at a point. The Golden Pavilion was destroyed by arson in 1950, and rebuilt in 1955. The pond garden, also laid out in 1397, is a Special Historic Site and Place of Special Scenic Beauty. Sekkatei, the Teahouse, is celebrated especially for the nandina-wood pillar supporting the alcove. Nandina grows very slowly, so a pillar of this circumference came from a venerable tree. In December 1994, the temple was registered as part of the World Cultural Heritage.
 

   

Transport & Access : City Bus: Kinkakujimichi & Kinkakujimae -walk 2 min

Parking Information : All fees per hour. 50 large buses \1000; microbuses \500; cars \300; motorcycles \150
 

Access by Wheelchair : Partly accessible
 

Admission Times / Hours Open : 9:00 - 17:00
 

Time Needed for Tour : About 40 min.
 

Days Closed / Facilities Closed : Open daily