Day 48 Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion 2 March 2026 скачать в хорошем качестве

Day 48 Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion 2 March 2026

A Golden Morning in Kyoto - Buses, Pavilions, Matcha, and Mochi For a change, I travelled by bus today instead of using the metro. My destination was easier to reach by bus with no transfers, and although it took a little longer, it was lovely to sit by the window and watch Kyoto’s neighbourhoods drift by - quiet streets, traditional houses, and the occasional glimpse of temple roofs peeking through the trees. My first stop was Kinkaku‑ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, one of Japan’s most iconic sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shimmering pavilion, covered entirely in gold leaf, sits beside Kyōko‑chi (Mirror Pond), where its reflection glows even on cloudy days. The site began as Kitayama‑dai, a villa belonging to the aristocrat Saionji Kintsune. In 1397, it was purchased by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who transformed it into a luxurious retirement villa called Kitayama‑dono. After Yoshimitsu’s death in 1408, his son converted the complex into a Zen temple named Rokuon‑ji, after Yoshimitsu’s posthumous name. During the Ōnin War (1467–1477), most of the buildings were destroyed, but the Golden Pavilion miraculously survived. In 1950, the pavilion was tragically burned down by a young monk, an event that inspired Yukio Mishima’s famous novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The current structure, completed in 1955, is a faithful reconstruction. In 1987, it received a fresh layer of thicker, more durable gold leaf. Kinkaku‑ji is not just a building; it is the centrepiece of a strolling garden designed to evoke Buddhist paradise. The pond’s islands and rock formations represent scenes from Buddhist mythology. The garden’s composition reflects the harmony between heaven and earth, a key principle in Zen aesthetics. The sun peeked through the clouds while I was there, and the pavilion glowed beautifully in the water, a perfect moment. At the exit, I stopped at Sekkatei, a charming tea house offering a bowl of matcha and a special sweet called Kinkaku for ¥500. I chose to sit Japanese‑style on the tatami floor, enjoying the quiet atmosphere and the view of the garden. Outside, several stalls were promoting matcha powder, which seems to be enjoying a global boom. There were also displays of flavoured mochi, especially seasonal sakura mochi in anticipation of cherry blossom season.